We presented our panel with a series of statements on the wider impact of Covid-19 and asked them to state the extent to which they agreed or disagreed
‘The social measures introduced to combat Covid-19 have been excessive and could prove more damaging than the virus itself’
While a third of our panel agree with this statement, a solid half disagree, with one fifth strongly disagreeing. Both investors and IROs more broadly disagree than agree with this statement, although there are slightly more investors agreeing than IROs.
There are notable regional differences here. The same number of European panel members agree as disagree with this statement, while support for social measures is stronger among Asian and North American panel members. Although 64 percent of IROs at larger firms disagree with this statement, there is a lower level of disagreement among IROs at smaller companies, which could suggest they feel more vulnerable to the economic outlook.
‘Although we are seeing a considerable drop in economic activity during this outbreak, the economy will be quick to recover’
A clear majority of our panel actively disagree with this statement, with 24 percent agreeing and 59 percent disagreeing. These views are not firmly held, however, as just 4 percent strongly agree and only 9 percent strongly disagree.
European panel members are slightly more optimistic about economic recovery than their North American and Asian counterparts, and there is little difference between the views of investors and IROs on the possible pace of economic recovery. Fewer IROs at smaller companies are optimistic about economic recovery than are those at larger firms.
‘Covid-19 has increased the importance of ESG issues’
Globally, 46 percent of panel members agree that Covid-19 has increased the importance of ESG issues while 21 percent disagree. One third of panel members have no firm opinion on this issue, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
There are strong regional variations on this issue, though. More than two thirds of Asian panel members agree with this statement, with just one in 10 disagreeing. Views differ drastically in North America, to the point where more panel members based there believe Covid-19 has not increased the importance of ESG than those who believe it has.
Clear differences appear between the opinions of investors and IROs on this issue, too. There is generally broad agreement from both sides, but with IROs there is a 43 percentage-point difference between the number who agree and those who disagree, while with investors the difference is just 11 percentage points. More IROs at larger companies agree that Covid-19 has increased the importance of ESG than do IROs at smaller companies.
