They also concluded that it would "accelerate and optimize the return of excess cash flows to shareholders". "There's no question that keeping it in Glencore's hands is positive from an ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) perspective and from a value perspective," Nagle said. Glencore shares gained around 3.1 percent in late afternoon trading on the London Stock Exchange. The firm's CEO deemed that "to keep these assets in Glencore's hands rather than spinning out because of our responsible run down strategy" was "the way to go" — saying that even some "left-leaning NGOs" pushed it to retain its coal activities.