Major Japanese financial data provider, QUICK, launches ESG service with Eiris data

QUICK, the Japanese financial information provider that calculates the Nikkei 225 Stock Average and other Japanese indexes, is launching an ESG information service incorporating data and analysis from Eiris, the London-based RI research company, in a major step for the promotion of responsible investment in the country. The service will carry ESG research, analysis and ratings on over 2,000 companies via QUICK’s financial terminals based on EIRIS’ Japanese and global developed market data, which will also be available in Japanese. The information will include corporate sustainability ratings, underlying assessments, benchmarking tools and news alerts from the online EIRIS Global Platform. QUICK will also run a series of ESG research briefings provided by EIRIS. QUICK, part of Japan’s Nikkei Group, was established in 1971, is one of the country’s major financial information and market news vendors. It also works in areas including asset management support and trade order routing and execution.
Peter Webster, Chief Executive Officer at EIRIS, said the deal was indicative of the growth of responsible investment in Japan: “Through QUICK, Japanese investors will have tools by which they can pursue individual responsible investment strategies and approaches, whether that be for portfolio construction, risk management, integration, or benchmarking and reporting purposes.”Etsuya Hirose, Director, Executive General Manager, Sales Headquarters at QUICK, commented, “The high quality and objective nature of EIRIS research, in addition to EIRIS’ global experience and partner network, were key factors for us when choosing EIRIS as our partner for this new venture.”

RI Asia Conference 2014: Tokyo, March 5-6
More than 300 pension funds, asset managers and investment service providers will attend the RI Asia 2014 conference in Tokyo on March 5-6 to explore the major government and industry initiatives that will come to fruition this year. The RI Asia Keynote Speech will be given by Professor John Kay, author of the original report, the “Review of UK Equity Markets and Long-Term Decision-Making”.
Look out for RI’s reporting from this week’s conference.