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Chasing the ESG factor

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  • Lioui, Abraham
  • Tarelli, Andrea

Abstract

We analytically compare two dominant methodologies for the construction of an ESG factor: the time-series (ratings used to sort stocks) and cross-sectional (ratings used to weight stocks) approaches. Differences in ESG rating and exposure to other firm characteristics imply an ex ante expected return spread between the two factors. We construct a cross-sectional factor (i) featuring a targeted rating, thus allowing comparability with other factors, (ii) neutralizing exposure to other firm characteristics, and (iii) not harming diversification through stock screening. Using ratings from several data vendors, we document strong variations of the factor alpha in the time series and across vendors. The conditional alpha is negatively related to the level of media attention for ESG and positively related to variations in media attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Lioui, Abraham & Tarelli, Andrea, 2022. "Chasing the ESG factor," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:139:y:2022:i:c:s0378426622000929
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2022.106498
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Shihan & Liu, Qingfu & Lu, Lei & Zheng, Kaixin, 2022. "Green policy and corporate social responsibility: Empirical analysis of the Green Credit Guidelines in China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Qihang Xue & Huimin Wang & Caiquan Bai, 2023. "Local green finance policies and corporate ESG performance," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 23(4), pages 721-749, December.
    3. Ling, Aifan & Li, Jinlong & Zhang, Yugui, 2023. "Can firms with higher ESG ratings bear higher bank systemic tail risk spillover?—Evidence from Chinese A-share market," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Gil Cohen, 2023. "ESG risks and corporate survival," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 16-21, March.
    5. Bax, Karoline & Sahin, Özge & Czado, Claudia & Paterlini, Sandra, 2023. "ESG, risk, and (tail) dependence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    6. Michele Azzone & Maria Chiara Pocelli & Davide Stocco, 2023. "Hedging carbon risk with a network approach," Papers 2311.12450, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2024.
    7. Cássio Zanatto & Margarida Catalão‐Lopes & Joaquim P. Pina & Inês Carrilho‐Nunes, 2023. "The impact of ESG news on the volatility of the Portuguese stock market—Does it change during recessions?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5821-5832, December.
    8. Zou, Jin & Yan, Jingzhou & Deng, Guoying, 2023. "ESG rating confusion and bond spreads," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    9. Kvam, Emilie & Molnar, Peter & Wankel, Ingvild & Odegaard, Bernt Arne, 2022. "Do sustainable company stock prices increase with ESG scrutiny? Evidence using social media," UiS Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2022/1, University of Stavanger.
    10. Liu, Xufeng & Wan, Die, 2023. "Retail investor trading and ESG pricing in China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    11. Gil Cohen, 2023. "The impact of ESG risks on corporate value," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 60(4), pages 1451-1468, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ESG; Factor investing; Cross-sectional asset pricing; Media attention;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G19 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Other
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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