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Euronext announces launch of OBX® ESG Index family to meet sustainable investment needs

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  • Selection of blue-chip companies listed in Norway demonstrating best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices to meet the demand for investable ESG alternatives in the Norwegian market
  • 4th ESG Index variant for national blue-chip indices, following successful launch of  CAC 40 ESG® Index (France), MIB® ESG Index (Italy) and the announcement of AEX® ESG (The Netherlands).

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 3 March 2022 – Euronext today announces that it will launch a new ESG Index, the OBX® ESG Index.

This index will identify the companies that demonstrate the best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The launch of this sustainable index follows the successful launch of the French CAC 40 ESG® Index, the Italian MIB® ESG Index and the announcement of the Dutch AEX® ESG launch.

In launching this new suite of ESG indices, Euronext is responding to the growing demand for sustainable investment tools from investors and the wider market. The OBX® ESG family will be launched and available to index users in May, and offer variants to comply with the needs of index users.

The OBX® ESG Index combines measurement of economic performance with Environmental, Social and Governance impacts in line with the UN Global Compact principles1.

For the ESG data, Euronext has partnered with Sustainalytics, a Morningstar Company and a leading global provider of ESG research, ratings and data. They will provide the ESG assessment of companies for the composition of the index.

The OBX® ESG index is designed to facilitate the ESG investment approaches by institutional and private investors:

  • It reflects a relative ranking for the “Best-in-Class” companies based on ESG Risk Rating criteria assessed by Sustainalytics.
  • It incorporates negative screening and norm-based exclusion filters applied in accordance with the UN Global Compact Principles.
  • Its methodology will evolve to integrate new regulations and standards as they emerge.
  • The composition and methodology of the index will be revised semi-annually under supervision of the independent committee for the OBX® Family.
  • The index methodology is developed in line with the principles of  the CAC40® ESG, MIB® ESG and AEX® ESG indices.

Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext N.V., said: “The launch of ESG OBX® index, further expands Euronext and Oslo Børs in the Nordic Region, leveraging on our expertise as ESG index provider. The index is constructed to meet the demands for investable ESG alternatives in the Norwegian market and it consolidates it as the Nordic champion in financing the green transition of companies and a leading listing venue for cleantech.”

Axel Pierron, director of Client Relations at Sustainalytics, said: “We are excited to see how our growing partnership with Euronext will strengthen the integration of the ESG issues that matter most to Nordic market participants. Sustainalytics’ comprehensive ESG Risk Ratings and data that underpin the new OBX ESG Index will enable more investors to better respond to the increasing demand for transparency within the evolving EU Action Plan regulations. We look forward to the upcoming launch as part of the Euronext suite of ESG indexes supporting European investors.” 

 

Notes to Editors:

1 The UN Global Compact principles lay out companies’ fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Euronext has endorsed these principles and contributed to the UN Global Compact Sustainable Oceans Business Group, formalising the UN Blue Bond principles.

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About Euronext 
Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With nearly 1,900 listed issuers and around €6.6 trillion in market capitalisation as of end December 2023, it has an unmatched blue-chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, it also operates a number of junior markets, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.  
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