
US-based governance research house GMI Ratings has formed a data integration partnership with Sweden-based Ethix SRI Advisors, a pioneer in norms-based screening, in the latest tie-up in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) research space.
The arrangement will see Stockholm-based Ethix SRI data being integrated into the GMI Analyst research offering.
It will let users evaluate companies based their involvement in activities such as adult entertainment, tobacco, gambling, firearms, violating international human rights norms, the environment, labor and anti-corruption standards and banned weapons.The pair expects to complete the first integration of Ethix data into GMI Analyst by end of June. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Dan Concannon, who recently took over from James Kaplan as GMI’s chief executive, said: “We see the addition of Ethix data to GMI Analyst as a major step forward in helping our clients meet their evolving needs.”
Ethix’s CEO and founding partner Ulrika Hasselgren added: “Responsible investing is growing rapidly worldwide, and SRI screening remains an essential tool for investment managers and asset owners looking for new ways to improve portfolio performance, reduce risk and strengthen their competitive advantages.”
In November last year Ethix launched a new norms-based tool for ESG screening of large fund platforms called Ethix Fund Screening.