While much of today’s attention is focused on Large Language Models, the field of Artificial Intelligence encompasses many other sectors. In the following we provide a brief overview of the AI market and its key players. According to Statista, the AI market is projected to reach...
The rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence have sparked significant debates on its regulation. The European Union is among the first global entities to develop a comprehensive policy framework for AI. This post outlines the key aspects of the EU's AI regulation. The cornerstone of the EU's...
ESG, Financial Institutions / 21.08.2024
The ESG debate: is the ESG party over in the USA and in Europe?
On July 17th, 2024, the FT has published an interesting documentary under the title ‘Who killed the ESG party’ that inquires which were the 4 main culprits that contributed to kill the ESG party. In the following we want to briefly analyze the ESG growth...
ESG, Financial Institutions / 21.08.2024
The ESG debate: is the ESG party over in the USA and in Europe?
On July 17th, 2024, the FT has published an interesting documentary under the title ‘Who killed the ESG party’ that inquires which were the 4 main culprits that contributed to kill the ESG party. In the following we want to briefly analyze the ESG growth...
Companies, Corporate Governance, Oil and Gas / 31.03.2021
Sound Corporate Governance under attack by the Government in Brazil and HOW are BRAZILIAN investors REACTING?
After increasing deforestation and breaching indigenous rights in 2020, the Brazilian Government has inaugurated 2021 meddling in the Corporate Governance of State controlled companies, such as Petrobras, Eletrobras, etc. At present we are assisting to a confrontation between single CEOs or Directors and the Government. SVI...
Companies, Corporate Governance, Financial Institutions, Tech / 02.02.2021
GameStop short squeeze: a just started story
It is a sad Luna Park that has been started around the video game company GameStop: an initial simplistic "David versus Goliath" narrative, or in this case "millennial traders versus Wall Street hedge funds" has been replaced by a much less exciting reality and has...
Companies, Corporate Governance, Financial Institutions / 18.12.2020
Index providers drop Chinese companies that have been labeled by the U.S. government as having ties to the Chinese military
MSCI, along with other predominant index providers, drops seven Chinese companies that have been labeled by the U.S. government as having ties to the Chinese military. Will this decision impede the international inflow of capital to China? What strategic importance does such a removal entail?...
Automobiles and Parts, Companies, Corporate Governance, Criminal Transactions, Tech / 11.12.2020
Nikola: what went wrong?
Nikola: what went wrong? SVI points out that proper corporate governance due diligence on the start-up would have saved much reputational risk to the potential big partners in the story such as General Motors and BP Nikola, the U.S. electric vehicle startup founded by Trevor Milton,...
Companies, Coronavirus, Pharma / 08.12.2020
Covid-19 vaccine patents: a key research innovation driver or a profit-driven obstacle to fair and worldwide access to a cure?
Despite being a worldwide need, Covid-19 vaccines increase the gap between rich and poor countries. While developed nations support the enforcement of intellectual property rights and secure almost all available vaccine doses, developing ones like India ask for the suspension of the patents on Covid-19...
Covid-19 has brought a change in consumer habits, making the sustainable products gain popularity across the globe. Environmental and Socio-cultural trends are shaping consumption patterns, making the industry increasingly more profitable especially thanks to the push from millennials that have proved to be more environmentally...
Companies, Corporate Governance / 03.12.2020
Is China investing in Corporate Governance? And what about gender diversity?
Is the concept of corporate governance gaining relevance in China and which are the main constraints to its development? Despite the rapid economic growth in recent years, the institution of corporate governance in China is far from mature. Best practices in corporate governance as well...
Companies, Corporate Governance, ESG, ESG Rating, Financial Institutions / 25.11.2020
Deutsche Börse to acquire proxy voting advisor ISS for €1.9 million
Deutsche Börse acquires leading proxy voting advisor ISS for €1.9 million. The rationale of the transaction relies on Deutsche Börse intention to become the future leading ESG player globally. SVI raises concerns about the lack of competition in the proxy voting advisory market, the increase in...
Companies, Coronavirus, Pharma / 25.11.2020
Investors’ Action on Antimicrobial Resistance to prevent the looming global catastrophe of Antimicrobial Resistance
The Covid-19 pandemic has not only demonstrated the significant impacts that human health risks have on economies and societies, but also the importance of investing in preventative healthcare, including safeguarding our ability to treat infectious diseases with existing antibiotics. As the World Health Organization calls...
Companies, Mining / 12.11.2020
Still no justice for the victims of the Rio Doce disaster after the UK court ruled in favour of the mining company BHP
On November 9, 2020 the UK High Court rejected the lawsuit brought by the victims of the collapse of the Fundao Tailings Dam in Mariana against the mining company BHP Billiton. According to the relatives of the victims and the damaged activities in the region,...