‘Tone Deaf’ Executive Pay Is Virus Focal Point for ESG Investors
Scott Minerd, the chief investment officer of Guggenheim Investments, says “the most financially vulnerable households are experiencing the majority of layoffs,” and a tepid economic rebound could lead to a “populist revolt to address massive inequality of income and wealth.”
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/BloombergWith millions out of work or now reliant on the government for their pay checks, ESG investors are preparing to scrutinize executive pay like never before.
While a number of companies had already begun to link the compensation of top managers with their performance on social and environmental issues before this year, the idea is set to gain much greater traction following the coronavirus outbreak, according to $1.1 trillion asset manager Nuveen LLC. The economic consequences of the spreading Covid-19 pandemic will cause investors to question the existing structure of executive pay and how to incentivize corporate bosses to put greater focus on environmental, social and governance issues, said Peter Reali, Nuveen’s New York-based head of engagement.