In our Impact Annual Report 2021 we provide updates relevant to the companies in our portfolio and outline how recent market volatility provided opportunities to buy several new holdings at attractive valuations.

Covid-19 continues to pose challenges to health systems around the world and has impeded targets set by UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which seeks to promote healthy lives and wellbeing for all.

Jonathan Pines, portfolio manager of the Federated Hermes Asia ex-Japan Equity Fund, makes the case for finding opportunity in Asian equities and explains why investors should consider making an allocation as part of a broader portfolio.

Meat farms and associated industries are the unlikely battleground for a myriad of ESG issues. Emily DeMasi, EOS engager, outlines why Federated Hermes has made the sector an engagement priority .

Examining some of the key meetings and shareholder proposals.

Covid-19 laid bare the social inequalities at the core of our economies. Through stewardship and engagement, investors can be the quiet force behind the solution, writes Diana Glassman, EOS engager.

Reducing methane emissions this decade is probably the single most important action the world can take to reduce the rate of global heating. Diana Glassman explains how we are engaging with oil and gas producers and pipeline operators to tackle the problem.

How do we engage with companies on this challenging issue?

Zoe de Spoelberch examines the supersized problem with ultra-processed and pre-packaged food.

Tough new US and EU regulations, and pressures related to the cost of living and the Covid-19 pandemic, are forcing companies to scrutinise their supply chains. In the latest ESG Materiality newsletter, we look at the implications for emerging markets.

Competitive spreads, comparable default rates and low correlations versus developed markets are just three advantages of this growing asset class, argue managers of the Federated Hermes Emerging Markets Debt strategy.

For long-term investors, the story is essentially unchanged, in fact, falling markets offer more attractive valuations on high-quality companies with a competitive edge.