Bloomberg Gender Equality Index Launched

Over 100 companies from ten sectors headquartered in 24 countries and regions joined the inaugural 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI). Launched today, the reference index measures gender equality across internal company statistics, employee policies, external community support and engagement, and gender-conscious product offerings.

The sector-neutral Bloomberg GEI follows the release of the Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index (BFGEI), launched in 2016.The 2017 BFGEI included 52 financial firms, headquartered in 17 countries and regions.

The 2018 GEI also expands globally to represent 24 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Belgium, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Singapore and Taiwan for the first time. Companies range from avariety of sectors, including communications, consumer staples, energy, financials, materials and technology.

"We commend the 104 companies included in the 2018 GEI for their efforts to create work environments that support gender equality across a diverse range of industries," said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the U.S. 30 percent Club. "Their leadership sets an important example that will help all organizations innovate and navigate the growing demand for diverse and inclusive workplaces."

“L’Oréal is proud to participate in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and to have been an early adopter of the Index,” said Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO. “Our company has had, for many years,a strong commitment to gender balance at all levels as well as to pay equity because we know that it is both good for society and good for business. Being included in the Gender-Equality Index will encourage us to work even harder to ensure that L’Oréal’s workplace is diverse and inclusive.”

Highlights from this year's index include:

 2018 GEI members have a 26.2 percent representation on boards, compared to an average of 12.7 percent in the ESG universe of coverage

 Women in GEI member firms hold 26 percent of senior leadership positions, 19 percent of executive officer

roles, and earned 46 percent of promotions in 2016.

 The percentage of executive level positions held by women in GEI member firms increased

33.5 percent from fiscal year 2014 to 2016.

 67 percent of members evaluate all advertising and marketing content for gender biases prior to

publication

 65 percent of members are signatories to or members of organizations advocating for gender equality

“The diversity of our company - women make up more than 50 percent of our global workforce, more than 40 percent of our global managers, more than 40 percent of our global management team and more than 35 percent of our board of directors – makes us a stronger company,” said Sheri Bronstein, Global HR Executive at Bank of America. “We are continuing to invest in acquiring and developing our female talent so they can continue to advance as leaders in our company, and in the communities they serve.”

"As investors continue to seek more information on companies' approaches to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, the 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index allows investors to compare companies' commitments to gender equality across industries," said Kiersten Barnet, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Chairman at Bloomberg. "More data and greater transparency in this space will allow investors to make better-informed decisions and help companies better understand their own progress towards gender equality."

The GEI complements Bloomberg's existing ESG offering on the Terminal and provides investors with comprehensive insight on standardized gender equality data points. Firms interested in participating submitted a social survey created by Bloomberg in partnership with third-party experts Catalyst, Women's World Banking, Working Mother Media, National Women's Law Center, and National Partnership for Women & Families. Those included on this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in- class statistics and policies.

Both the survey and the GEI are voluntary and have no associated costs. Bloomberg collected this data for reference purposes only. The index is not ranked.