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Manulife Investment Management Shares Analysis and Investment Insights within Natural Capital, TCFD and SRI Reports

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TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Investment Management (Manulife IM), the world’s largest manager of natural capital with over $16 billion in assets under management in timberland and agriculture1, has recently released three reports detailing how it incorporates financially material climate- and nature-related investment considerations into its asset management and portfolio construction capabilities. Interested market participants can use the insights from Manulife IM’s Natural Capital Sustainability reportTask Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report and Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI) report, for deeper awareness about sustainable investing and to assess various investment risks and opportunities across public and private market asset classes.

The reports highlight Manulife IM’s commitment in seeking to deliver strong long-term investment performance, the importance of natural capital to human health, and the opportunity for timberland and agriculture assets to bring value to portfolios and to the planet.  As an example, within its climate and natural capital investment solutions, Manulife IM has a strategy that provides investors with an opportunity to invest in timberlands in a way that creates high integrity carbon credits through enhanced management practices which purposefully add to the stored carbon in the forest. 

“We are excited to share these reports with market participants as we believe that climate-related risks and other sustainability factors can have a material effect on long-term financial value and, as a result, on our clients’ investment objectives,” said Paul Lorentz, President & CEO of Manulife IM. “Throughout all of our investment processes, we seek to incorporate all financially material risks, including sustainability factors, as our primary goal is to enhance the returns of the capital we manage on behalf of our clients.”

Manulife IM’s most recent Natural Capital Sustainability report highlights the importance of natural capital to institutional investment portfolios, the dependency the world has on these assets, and how these investments can create value beyond the physical products they generate. Highlights include:

Manulife IM’s timberland investment properties planted over 50 million seedlings, produced lumber to build more than 100,000 houses, enough fiberwood to make approximately 2.2 million tons of paper, and yielded enough biomass to produce electricity for the equivalent of 1,500 American homes for a year;Manulife IM’s integration of regenerative practices across its agriculture portfolio continues to focus on producing more food with a smaller footprint. During 2023, 100% of client properties reported using at least one regenerative practice and 78% of properties use four or more regenerative practices; andProgress reports on the firm’s five nature targets, aligned with the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge that are on track to be fulfilled by 2025. The targets include improving collaboration and knowledge sharing on assessment methodologies, incorporating biodiversity into ESG policies, assessing the impact of investments on biodiversity, using science-based targets to improve biodiversity impact, and annual reporting to measure and assess progress toward biodiversity goals.

“Natural capital is not just a concept; it’s a measurable and monetizable reality that has intrinsic value in supporting the global economy,” said Brian Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Manulife Investment Management. “We believe nature is a mispriced asset that provides true economic and societal value for the benefit of all.”

The latest TCFD report outlines how Manulife IM incorporates climate-related risks and opportunities into investment decisions through appropriate governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

Highlights from the TCFD report include:

90% of Manulife IM ‘s global real estate equity portfolio earning certification of a green building standard, such as LEED, ENERGY STAR, or BOMA BEST;2Manulife IM removing an estimated 1.5 million tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by its managed forests and farms on a five-year rolling average; andManulife IM seeks to increase access to the number and variety of sustainable investing options available to its clients.

Manulife IM’s latest SRI report provides insight into the firm’s approach to sustainable investing, including its governance, stewardship information, its scorecard from the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and other sustainability milestones and outcomes.

Highlights from the SRI report this year include the firm’s:

Publication of its inaugural nature report aligned with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), outlining the firm’s approach to managing nature-related risks and opportunities in its timberland and agriculture businesses;Achievement of a GRESB 5 Star rating for the sixth consecutive year;3Formalization of its sustainable investing strategy for its private equity and credit platform, which included establishing near-term priorities and longer-term commitments;Development of a firmwide client-directed exclusions framework; andPublication of its water statement, which recognizes the fundamental importance of water to human health, livelihoods, ecosystems, the global economy, and the future of asset management.

“As we navigate this dynamic space, our reporting looks to provide comprehensive insights to help drive positive change and foster long-term sustainability through our investment strategies. We’re committed to continue enhancing our reporting so that all our stakeholders can get a clear picture of our efforts to manage climate impact and risk exposures as well as enhance long-term value creation,” concluded Mr. Kernohan.

Please find more information about Manulife IM’s approach to sustainable investing online here:  https://www.manulifeim.com/institutional/global/en/sustainability.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE: MFC). Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering investors for a better tomorrow. Serving more than 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members, we believe our global reach, complementary businesses, and the strength of our parent company position us to help investors capitalize on today’s emerging global trends. We provide our clients access to public and private investment solutions across equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative, and sustainability-linked strategies, such as natural capital, to help them make more informed financial decisions and achieve their investment objectives. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.

It should not be assumed that any ESG or sustainability initiatives, standards, or metrics described herein will apply to each asset in which Manulife Investment Management invests or that any ESG or sustainability initiatives, standards, or metrics described have applied to any individual prior investment of Manulife Investment Management. There is no guarantee that any initiatives or anticipated developments described herein will ultimately be successful or achieve anticipated outcomes. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are only some of many considerations that Manulife Investment Management takes into account when making investment decisions, and other considerations can be expected in certain circumstances to outweigh ESG considerations. Any ESG or sustainability initiatives described will be implemented with respect to a portfolio investment solely to the extent Manulife Investment Management determines such initiative is consistent with its broader investment goals. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and make different investment decisions for different clients, and views may change over time. Investors should always read the current investment services information or fund offering documents before deciding to select an investment manager or to invest in a fund.

1.

IPE research, as of February 2024. Ranking is based on total natural capital assets under management (AUM), which includes forestry/timberland and agriculture/farmland AUM. Firms were asked to provide AUM and the as of dates vary from 12/31/2022 to 12/31/2023.

2.

Based on square footage of the gross floor area or building size, of properties in the global portfolio. Totals from different certification standards do not sum as properties with multiple certifications are only counted once. Certifications are provided by LEED, ENERGY STAR Certification, BOMA BEST, GBCA Green Star, BCA Green Mark, NABERS, CASBEE, BOMA 360, and Fitwel.

3.

Based on GRESB results released October 2023 that cover the 2022 time period. Manulife Investment Management paid a per fund submission fee, per year. The GRESB Rating is an overall measure of how well sustainability issues are integrated into the management and practices of companies and funds. For more information about the GRESB Real Estate Assessment, please see gresb.com/nl-en/real-estate-assessment.

Asia:
Carl Wong
Carl_KK_Wong@manulifeam.com

North America and Europe:
Elizabeth Bartlett
Elizabeth_Bartlett@manulife.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/manulife-investment-management-shares-analysis-and-investment-insights-within-natural-capital-tcfd-and-sri-reports-302229433.html

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Capital Advantage, Inc. Offers Tailored Financial Services for Kaiser Permanente® and TPMG Employees

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WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Capital Advantage, Inc., a trusted name in wealth management, is proud to highlight its specialized services designed to meet the unique financial needs of Kaiser Permanente® and The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) employees.

At Capital Advantage, we understand the complexities of Kaiser Permanente® and TPMG benefit plans. Our team is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals navigate their robust and often intricate benefit options. With over 30 years of expertise and a deep understanding of Kaiser’s offerings, we craft personalized financial plans to help maximize the value of our clients’ benefits.

“We recognize the unique challenges and opportunities that healthcare professionals face in managing their financial lives,” says Ian Castille, CFP®, Principal and Senior Financial Advisor at Capital Advantage, Inc.

Donna Zinman, CRPC®, Principal and Senior Advisor, adds, “Our goal is to educate our clients about their attractive benefit options and help them make the most of these opportunities.”

Key services for Kaiser Permanente® and TPMG employees include customized portfolio strategies and personalized guidance on retirement savings plans, identification of ideal pension options and annual open-enrollment benefit selections, advice on traditional vs. Roth 401(k) options, advanced tax-saving strategies (such as mega-backdoor Roth contributions), and simplification of retirement planning by working directly with Kaiser/TPMG’s benefits department. These services are designed to provide Kaiser/TPMG employees with peace of mind, confidence, and financial empowerment as they navigate their retirement and benefits planning.

About Capital Advantage, Inc.

Capital Advantage is a trusted, independently owned wealth management firm with over 40 years of experience helping individuals and families to achieve their financial goals. As a 100% fee-only fiduciary, Capital Advantage strives to provide financial peace of mind to each and every client, delivering large institution expertise with the personalized care and attention of a boutique firm. Our experienced advisors work closely with pre-retirees and retirees, women navigating unique financial journeys, and Kaiser Permanente® and The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) employees to create strategies that provide clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

For more information on Capital Advantage’s services visit: Kaiser/TPMG Employees – Capital Advantage, Inc. or call (925) 299-1500 to contact one of our advisors for a no-cost initial consultation.

Disclaimer: Capital Advantage, Inc. is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Kaiser Permanente® or TPMG (The Permanente Medical Group)

Limitations: No amount of experience, recognition, or past success, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Capital Advantage is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Please see Important Disclosure.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-advantage-inc-offers-tailored-financial-services-for-kaiser-permanente-and-tpmg-employees-302348316.html

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NASA Sets Coverage for Firefly First Commercial Robotic Moon Launch

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Carrying NASA science and technology to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 is targeting launch Wednesday, Jan. 15. The mission will lift off on a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Live launch coverage will air on NASA+ with prelaunch events starting Monday, Jan. 13. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. Follow all events at:

https://www.nasa.gov/live/

After the launch, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander will spend approximately 45 days in transit to the Moon before landing on the lunar surface in early March. The lander will carry 10 NASA science investigations to further our understanding of the Moon’s environment and help prepare for future human missions to the lunar surface, as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. 

Science investigations on this flight aim to test and demonstrate lunar subsurface drilling technology, regolith sample collection capabilities, global navigation satellite system abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation methods. The data captured could benefit humans on Earth by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact Earth. 

The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. The agency’s media accreditation policy is available online. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.

Full coverage of this mission is as follows (all times Eastern):

Monday, Jan. 13
2:30 p.m. – Lunar science media teleconference with the following participants:

Chris Culbert, CLPS program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space CenterMaria Banks, CLPS project scientist, NASA Johnson

Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website:

https://www.nasa.gov/live/

Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 1:30 p.m. EST Jan. 13, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.

Tuesday, Jan. 14
1 p.m. – Lunar delivery readiness media teleconference with the following participants:

Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA HeadquartersJason Kim, CEO, Firefly AerospaceJulianna Scheiman, director, NASA science missions, SpaceXMark Burger, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron

Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website:

https://www.nasa.gov/live/

Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.

Wednesday, Jan. 15
12:30 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+ and the agency’s website.

1:11 a.m. – Launch

NASA Launch Coverage
Audio only of the media teleconferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, or -7135. On launch day, the full mission broadcast can be heard on -1220 and -1240, while the countdown net only can be heard on -7135 beginning approximately one hour before the mission broadcast begins.

On launch day, a “tech feed” of the launch without NASA TV commentary will be carried on the NASA TV media channel.

NASA Website Launch Coverage
Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 12:30 a.m. EST Jan. 15, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our launch blog for updates.

NASA Virtual Guests for Launch
Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. Registrants will receive mission updates and activities by email, including curated mission resources, schedule updates, and a virtual guest passport stamp following a successful launch. Print your passport and get ready to add your stamp!

Watch, Engage on Social Media
Let people know you’re following the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtag #Artemis. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:

X: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAArtemis, @NASAMoon

Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, NASAArtemis

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAArtemis

Coverage en Español
Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en español? Check out NASA en español on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for additional mission coverage.

Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo o Messod Bendayan a: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov o messod.c.bendayan@nasa.gov.

For media inquiries relating to the launch provider, please contact SpaceX’s communications department by emailing: media@spacex.com. For media inquiries relating to the CLPS provider, Firefly Aerospace, please contact Firefly’s communication department by emailing: press@fireflyspace.com.
For more information about the agency’s CLPS initiative, see:

https://www.nasa.gov/clps

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-sets-coverage-for-firefly-first-commercial-robotic-moon-launch-302348344.html

SOURCE NASA

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Universal Brain Announces Publication of Groundbreaking Depression Research Using Multiple Event-Related Potentials

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New findings support the company’s neuroscience-driven approach to precision psychiatry, offering actionable insights for personalized depression treatment

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Universal Brain, a pioneering technology company focused on transforming mental healthcare through neuroscience, today announced the publication of its latest peer-reviewed study, “Neurotyping depression using multiple event-related potentials (ERPs): Leveraging task-based variation to predict remission in depression,” the paper introduces a novel framework for detecting unique neurophysiological patterns that can help predict which depressed patients are most likely to achieve remission from depression.

“By combining several EEG paradigms with novel statistical analyses, we’re moving closer to a future where depression therapies can be precisely tailored to each individual,” said Kazu Okuda, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Brain. “In particular, we are poised to leverage a battery of EEG paradigms to better subtype depression – which will pave the way for more precision in treatment development and selection.  These functional measures of brain activity (i.e., neurotypes) will be used to determine what treatment works best for whom.”

Key Highlights of the Study

Multi-Task ERP Analyses
The study leveraged multiple cognitive and emotional tasks to capture a broader spectrum of brain responses, thereby enabling more robust classification of distinct depression subtypes.Predictive Neurotyping
Through comprehensive ERP assessment, researchers identified patterns linked to a higher likelihood of remission in depression, paving the way for more targeted clinical strategies. Combining ERPs from multiple tasks outperformed classifications based on more traditional single-task analyses.Implications for Precision Psychiatry
These findings underscore the potential of individualized treatment pathways—an approach backed by emerging research in the field of precision psychiatry, which calls for data-driven, personalized solutions to improve outcomes in mental health.

“This work is especially exciting because it bridges the gap between laboratory-based assessments and potential real-world clinical practice. We believe our new method can help physicians potentially select treatment but also help clinicians fine-tune therapeutic interventions to an individual’s unique neural signature,” commented Greg Hajcak, Chief Scientific Advisor of Universal Brain. “By leveraging multiple ERPs in varying tasks, we can aim to better predict who will respond to specific treatments, a key step in transforming how we approach depression management.”

Championing Precision Psychiatry

Universal Brain’s overarching mission is to integrate cutting-edge neuroscience with clinical insights to advance precision psychiatry—a transformative model of care that personalizes interventions based on individual biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. This focus resonates with emerging trends in psychiatric research to enhance treatment outcomes.

In close collaboration with academic institutions, research hospitals, and clinical partners, Universal Brain continues to drive neuroscience-based innovation that bridges the gap between academic discoveries and real-world patient care.

For more information on Universal Brain’s research and the company’s commitment to developing neuroscience-driven solutions for mental health, please visit universal-brain.com or email us at media@universal-brain.com.

About Universal Brain

Universal Brain is a science-driven technology company dedicated to revolutionizing mental healthcare by unlocking the power of precision psychiatry. Drawing on advances in neuroscience, data analytics, and engineering, Universal Brain develops innovative tools and platforms that personalize psychiatric treatment and improve patient outcomes. To learn more, visit www.universal-brain.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-brain-announces-publication-of-groundbreaking-depression-research-using-multiple-event-related-potentials-302348351.html

SOURCE Universal Brain

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