RI Sustainable Indices, November 23: Vigeo launches four ESG indices

France-based environmental, social and governance (ESG) researcher Vigeo has launched a new range of indices identifying companies with the most advanced ESG performance. There will be four new indices: Vigeo World 120 (global); Vigeo Europe; Vigeo France 20; and Vigeo United Kingdom 20. Vigeo is working with exchange operator NYSE Euronext on the development and distribution of the new range of indices which will be based on Vigeo research. The new indices cover listed companies in the Stoxx 1800 index. They do not exclude companies on the basis of values or ethical based assessment; unless a company has a product or activity which is prohibited by law or international conventions. Link

The European Energy Exchange is to re-launch its Carbix CO2 index into a CO2 index family called the European Carbon Index – ECarbix. The first calculation will take place on December 5. Link

South Africa: the FTSE/JSE Socially Responsible Investment Index has returned +16.37% over the last 12 months and +12.62% in the year-to-date. The measure is a free float market capitalization weighted index which measures the price appreciation of this group of companies.

The WilderHill Clean Energy Index, which comprises listed companies who stand to benefit from cleaner energy and conservation, has returned -29.81% over the past year.

The Korean Stock Exchange’s 20-constiuent KRX Green Index of companies has returned -10.29% in the year so far and -5.02% over the 12 month period. The measure was introduced in December 2010.US market operator NASDAQ and sustainability investment analytics provider CRD Analytics have announced the results of the semi-annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ OMX CRD Global Sustainability Index. There are seven additions: ABB Ltd.; Citigroup Inc.; Accenture; Chevron Corp.; Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras); Pfizer Inc.; and Wal-Mart Stores. The seven companies removed are: Bank of Montreal; the Bank of Nova Scotia; Medtronic; Motorola Solutions; Portugal Telecom; Praxair; and Telefónica.

The Jantzi Social Index, the socially screened 60-stock Canadian index, has returned +11.59% over the past year and +6.09% in the year to date. The top gainers have been Blackberry maker Research In Motion, Talisman Energy and Teck Resources. The index was launched in 2000.

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (EUR) is up +17.39% in the past year, according to performance data. In the year so far it has returned +7.71%.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Corporate Governance Index has had a year-to-date return of -6.19%. Over the one-year view it has returned -13.29%.

The Index Industry Association, the new industry trade body, has appointed Rick Redding as its first Executive Director. He was Managing Director, Products and Services at the CME Group. The body’s membership now consists of Barclays, FTSE, MSCI, Nasdaq OMX, Russell and S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Mexico: the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores exchange’s new IPC Sustenable index has risen +25.02% in the year so far. The index was launched in December 2011.