Andrew Hollins, Director of Corporate Treasury Proposition at Refinitiv, brings you the February 2021 round-up of the latest Corporate Treasury Data Insights on ESG, Biden and the dollar, Brexit and LIBOR.
- Refinitiv ESG scores were used to assess the environmental standards of the 10 biggest global banks.
- An analysis of what the presidency of Joe Biden means for the U.S. dollar, with American consumer confidence on the rise in 2021.
- Forecasts about the impact of Brexit, news on the LIBOR transition and Refinitiv becoming part of LSEG, and how Refinitiv’s StarMine is used to predict corporate bankruptcies.
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Refinitiv is now part of LSEG
An exciting announcement before we jump into our monthly insight round-up – Refinitiv is now part of LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group), a leading financial markets infrastructure and data provider.
Our purpose is delivering financial stability, empowering economies, and enabling customers to create sustainable growth. See how open makes more possible.
Corporate Treasury Chart of the Month
ESG data is becoming an essential tool for corporate treasury teams to assess whether their banks, suppliers and customers are meeting environmental standards, and to allow for comparison against industry peers.
We reviewed the Refinitiv ESG scores of the top 10 biggest global banks and found BNP Paribas SA to be the global leader – well done, BNP Paribas!
Sign up to Corporate Treasury Data Insights from Refinitiv
Explore more company ESG scores and Refinitiv’s methodology
Refinitiv has been serving the financial industry with ESG data and solutions for over 17 years and offers one of the richest ESG databases in the industry – a fully transparent resource that is trusted by investors and corporates to drive positive impact and provide comprehensive analysis.
The newly launched Refinitiv ESG company scores page on Refinitiv.com allows users to access ESG scores on 10,000 companies for free, based on our transparent and objective scores methodology.
We’ve also launched the ESG Voice App, which enables users to interact with Refinitiv ESG data and content via voice access.
Sustainable finance skyrockets!
Sustainable Finance bonds totalled US$544.3 billion during 2020, more than double issuance levels during 2019 and an all-time annual record.
Find the latest view of sustainable financing and global advisory activity in our Q4 2020 review.
Biden: a new chapter for the dollar?
The U.S. dollar index has managed to regain some traction following a gloomy 2020 that sent the currency down more than 6 percent to levels not seen since 2018.
Even as the U.S. reaches new highs in COVID-19 deaths, American consumer confidence is up nearly 3 points as we enter 2021. Likewise, the Refinitiv earnings forecast suggests Q1 2021 will mark the first positive quarter in over a year, as retailers will be facing much easier year-on-year comparisons.
Among the consistent strongest sectors, Household Durables, Internet and Catalog Retail and Leisure products are expected to see positive earnings growth in Q1 – and perhaps even receive a boost from stimulus check spending.
Check out the latest consumer confidence charts from Refinitiv.
Brexit predictions
Over a month since the UK left the EU, and John Mably, Head of News Performance at Refinitiv, and Guy Faulconbridge, London Bureau Chief at Reuters, reflect on the impact of Brexit.
They predict lightly regulated currency trade will remain anchored in London, yet are less certain about the future of tightly regulated bonds and derivatives trade and capital markets, as bankers advising EU companies on deals and loans can no longer directly offer this service from the UK.
Is your FX MTF post-Brexit ready?
Watch our on-demand webinar to find out how you can keep trading on the Refinitiv MTF post-Brexit and understand the changes to your trading operations.
The panel digs into reporting and regulatory requirements, and looks at passporting versus equivalence.
LIBOR countdown continues
Market participants must source alternative rates to LIBOR before the end of the year.
A reference rate with a forward-looking term structure, such as Refinitiv Term SONIA, may be required for many participants of the loan, trade and working capital, export finance/emerging markets and Islamic finance markets.
Check out 4 key benefits of using the Refinitiv Term SONIA.
Predicting the biggest corporate bankruptcies
Refinitiv’s StarMine predicted defaults months, and in some cases years, before the event.
Watch: Corporate bankruptcies in 2020 and beyond – A Refinitiv Data Moment
The StarMine team has now selected five North American companies, using Eikon Screener, that we expect to miss Q4 2020 earnings estimates.
Refinitiv Corporate Treasury Newsbeat
On top of the exciting announcement that we’re now part of LSEG, here’s the main news for treasurers this month:
- Leading Thai energy company PPT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited has implemented Refinitiv’s Auctions to power its cash management function and manage compliance risk through best rate execution.
- FXall sees record FX Options trading volumes in 2020 and expands market-leading liquidity with the addition of non-bank market maker Optiver.
