Transcript Document
Our Approach to Stewardship Michael Cohen Capital Group Private ownership fosters stability and a long-term focus • We are stable: being a privately held company allows us to make decisions with a long-term focus, yet we have the rigorous accountability of a publicly held company. • We are focused: investment management is our only business. Why it matters: We are able to focus on the long-term interests of our clients. Capital Group by the numbers US$ 1.4 trillion assets under management US$ 1.2 trillion equity assets managed US$ 224 billion fixed-income assets managed US$ 93 billion Institutional assets managed Data as at 31 December 2014 Our heritage 1931 Jonathan Bell Lovelace founded a small company based on the belief that fundamental research is essential to achieving superior, long-term investment results. Today Capital Group’s private ownership and focus on delivering consistent, positive results for long-term investors has made us one of the largest asset managers in the world. Top 5 active asset managers1 1 2 3 4 5 Fidelity Capital Group Vanguard JPMorgan BlackRock $1.4tn $224bn assets under management2 fixed income assets under management2 1. Based on percentage share of active assets under management for funds. As at 30 September 2014. Source: Morningstar. 2. As at 31 December 2014. Source: Capital Group. Built to last As a private firm with an independent charter and robust balance sheet, we invest in improving our capabilities through good markets and bad. With one of the highest retention rates in the industry,1 we have some of the most experienced investment professionals and a commitment to sustaining our investment process over generations. 1. Source: Morningstar, for the American Funds, as at 31 December 2013. Based on percentage of portfolio managers who have stayed with the firm during the past five calendar years. Aligned with investor success Long-term perspective • We are privately owned and base our decisions on a long-term perspective, which we believe aligns our goals with the interests of our clients. • Achieving superior, long-term returns is our only goal, so managers are rewarded for their results, not the level of assets they manage. A long-term perspective on behalf of clients Average holding period (years)1 1.7 Comparable equity funds 4.5 Capital Group2 Compensation basis (years) 1 Short-term emphasis 4 1. Source: Morningstar, for the American Funds, as at 31 December 2013. Based on percentage of portfolio managers who have stayed with the firm during the past five calendar years. 2. For the American Funds only, as at 31 December 2012. Average holding periods as of the most recent fiscal year-end periods available through 31 December 2012. Source for comparable equity funds: Lipper. 8 Capital Group emphasis The Capital System is at the core of our sustained results • Portfolios are divided into segments that are managed independently by individual portfolio managers. Example • The portfolios are built from the bottom up, security by security, based on extensive research. Why it matters: The blend of managers (portfolio managers and analysts) is designed to lower volatility while striving for consistently superior long-term returns. Portfolio managers The graphic shown above right is for illustration purposes only and does not represent the exact composition of a portfolio. Analysts Research portfolio An extensive global research effort is the backbone of our system Few firms can match our scale and scope • We combine on-the-ground research with comprehensive macro analysis around the world. Local knowledge around the world Our research offices1 • Equity and fixed-income analysts work together, pooling research. Fundamental, global research is crucial for identifying investment opportunities and risks. 1. Beijing: limited to macroeconomic research. Mumbai: Capital Group International, Inc (CGII) only. 2. As at 31 December 2013. All other data to 31 December 2014. The Capital Group companies manage equities through three investment divisions that make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed-income investment professionals provide fixed-income research and investment management across the Capital organisation; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups. Responsible investing is integrated into our investment process Our philosophy Capital Group1 is a discretionary investment manager with a bottom-up investment process focused on delivering long-term results. Our approach is to fully integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into our research process, rather than treating them as the responsibility of a separate team. Our approach for effective integration of responsible investing We are long-term investors underpinned by our own strong culture and code of ethics and private ownership We invest in companies we believe have a sustainable business model and good growth prospects Fundamental research capabilities with depth and breadth of experience Trust, built on long-term relationships with companies Access and credibility to engage and have a dialogue with companies Coordinating with industry associations and other investors on corporate governance regulatory developments 1. Capital Group (Capital) refers to Capital International Limited, Capital International Sàrl , Capital International, Inc., Capital International K.K. and Capital Guardian Trust Company each of which is a subsidiary of Capital Group International, Inc. (CGII) Facilitating responsible investing Integrated approach Research based Front line Engagement • Our investment analysts have a deep knowledge and understanding of companies • Analysts evaluate factors which could affect a company's long-term growth prospects including ESG issues, where they believe they are relevant to long-term value • Around 100 in-house analysts covering equity and fixed income • With their in-depth knowledge of industry sectors, analysts can factor in the circumstances of each company rather than using a box-ticking approach • Our analysts and portfolio managers make thousands of company visits annually, and regularly meet with the management of companies • Capital generally prefers to engage privately with companies • We will engage more broadly with governments, regulators and stakeholders relevant to our investments A consistent process supported by dedicated resources Our process Voting/corporate actions In-house decision making • Proxy and corporate action decisions are made in-house • Analysts are responsible for making proxy voting and corporate action decisions • We do not allow stock lending in our funds Dedicated support Corporate Governance team • Provides dedicated expertise and consistent set of policies and procedures applied globally • Aims to vote every share of every company we hold • Works with the Investment Group on company engagement and voting decisions • Provides global consistency with regional flexibility and the capacity to meet growing demands Review and oversight Regional proxy committees • Associates from the Investment Group and Legal form our regional proxy voting committees • Analysts covering companies provide the committees with a recommendation on voting decisions • These committees review selected proxy decisions Our Global Model • Truly integrated approach to stewardship • Key themes identified by investment professionals during discussion facilitated by the Governance team (GAP) before and after proxy season • Proxy policy • Engagements • GAP works alongside investment professionals in voting and engagement process which allows a joined-up approach • Investors make final decisions • Additional global resource provided by GAP complements analyst research on key themes including remuneration, proxy voting and ESG issues, e.g. climate change Approach to Stewardship Principle 1: Stewardship • Strong, long-term relationships our investment professionals develop with a company board and management enable us to maintain an active approach to stewardship of the companies in which we invest Principle 2: Conflicts of Interest • Not part of a diversified financial services company that also provides investment banking, consulting or custodial services • Associates must adhere to the Capital Group Code of Ethics Principle 3: Monitoring • Monitoring and engagement with companies are natural aspects to our investment process • Analysts are responsible for making voting and corporate action decisions, ensuring our stewardship activity is aligned with our investment theses Principle 4: Intervention • Intervention would be a natural extension of engagement where there are issues of concern • Alternatively, if we believe it is in the best financial interests of the client, we may sell the shares or bonds of a company Approach to Stewardship Principle 5: Acting Collectively • May work with other investors where we believe this will increase value for shareholders or creditors • May join other investors in engagement activity at an industry level Principle 6: Voting • Aim to vote all proxies on behalf of clients in accounts for which it has proxy voting authority • Voting decisions are made according to our internal voting policy and analyst recommendations Principle 7: Reporting • Publish quarterly reports which provide an overview of our engagement activities • Provide quarterly proxy voting reports to clients that have authorised Capital to vote on their behalf and wish to receive them Climate change survey and impact on investing • Surveyed our London based equity and fixed income investment groups to gather views on climate change • Results showed that this is a very relevant topic with broad impacts, creating risks and opportunities across sectors • Analysts and portfolio managers integrate the consideration of climate change into the investment process and decisions • Portfolio manager Michael Cohen: “Climate change touches every aspect of our portfolios” Observations and focus areas in Stewardship • Engagement: is there a better way to engage with the Chair and Boards of companies? • Investment horizon: conflicts in the market with focus on short term results • Regulation: shift in the environment with too many differing agendas, potential to create negative consequences for investors Regulatory information This marketing communication is issued by Capital International Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is intended for professional clients only and should not be relied upon by retail clients. While Capital Group uses reasonable efforts to obtain information from sources which it believes to be reliable, Capital Group makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information. This marketing communication is intended merely to highlight issues, and not to be comprehensive or to provide investment, tax or other advice. Should you have any queries on the issues reported here, please contact one of your regular contacts at Capital Group.