KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd, My EG Services Bhd (MYEG), Sunway Bhd, and Yinson Holdings Bhd have been cherry-picked as UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd's top environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) picks with the Covid-19 pandemic lifting ESG to further prominence, UOB Kay Hian said. UOB Kay Hian analysts including Vincent Khoo and Jacquelyn Yow Hui Li said besides looking at companies' ESG metrics, the research firm also focuses mainly on their fundamental growth based on their growth prospects and valuations. "To play on the ESG theme, we have cherry-picked our top picks from the constituents of FTSE4Good," they said in a note yesterday. The UOB Kay Hian analysts said as sustainable funds will continue to gain the attention of asset managers and investors with the convergence of sustainability and mega trends in investing, UOB Kay Hian would include its comments on ESG-related issues in its future reports. "ESG issues have been gaining attention alongside an increase in the AUM (assets under management) of ESG funds," they said.

Source: The Edge Markets March 30, 2021 07:51 UTC