MSCI ESG Research downgrades Russia and Belarus government ratings

Further downgrades possible

MSCI ESG Research has downgraded its government ratings for Russia and Belarus, from BBB to B and from BB to B respectively.

The move, which follows "a period of close monitoring" of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine amid Russia's invasion, reflects a change in the "long-term sustainability and competitiveness of [the] economies", according to the ratings agency. Ratings range from AAA - the highest, to CCC - the lowest. MSCI's ESG government ratings, which adopt a quant-based approach, apply a 50% weighting to environmental, a 25% weighting to social and a 25% weighting to governance issues. JP Morgan AM suspends Russia-exposed funds The ESG ratings draw from more than 25 sources - including the World Bank Go...