Named the Acadian Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity (Class A) Fund, it aims at delivering risk-adjusted returns by investing in a broad selection of approximately 500 stocks. These stocks are chosen for their ability to steadily contribute to total returns, as highlighted by Gillian Savage, CEO of Acadian Australia. The fund focuses on accruing incremental returns over the benchmark while minimizing active risk.
The emerging markets (EM) sector, notorious for its high volatility, is now more suited to quant-based investment approaches. This suitability is attributed to an expanded investable universe, enhanced data availability, and decreased trading costs over the last ten years, as per Savage.
Acadian’s systematic investing strategy aims to offer a consistent return profile, an attribute highly prized in the volatile EM sector. This strategy is expected to provide stability and predictability, benefiting long-term investors.
Mark Mukundan, Acadian Australia's Director of Wholesale Markets, emphasized the fund's design as a primary EM holding. Its high stock diversity, multi-factor methodology, and low specific stock risk are key features. This fund can complement more concentrated, higher-risk strategies or even replace an index allocation, supported by its competitive management fee.
The fund charges a management fee of 0.47%, which is notably cheaper than existing MSCI EM Index replication strategies. Colonial First State will act as the fund's responsible entity, ensuring compliance and oversight.
