AQR Capital Management Launches ESG-Focused Market Neutral UCITS Fund
25 JUL, 2024
By Jose Luis Palmer from RankiaPro Europe
AQR Capital Management has launched the AQR Adaptive Equity Market Neutral UCITS fund, a new equity market neutral strategy with a strong emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The fund, which went live on June 3, 2024, already boasts $259 million in assets under management as of July 21.
Classified as an Article 8 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the AQR Adaptive Equity Market Neutral UCITS fund seeks to provide returns uncorrelated with traditional investment vehicles while maintaining zero or negative net carbon exposure. The fund's strategy involves holding long positions in companies with an attractive ESG profile and shorting firms with poor ESG credentials.
AQR leverages its proprietary research process, employing a variety of advanced data analysis techniques, including machine learning, to optimize stock selection and manage risk. This approach is designed to create a portfolio resilient to market volatility and economic uncertainty, distinguishing it from traditional equity and fixed income funds.
We are pleased to continue to expand our UCITS fund offering by adding the Adaptive Equity Market Neutral UCITS fund.
As the most comprehensive expression of AQR's stock selection capabilities, we believe the Adaptive Equity Market Neutral fund will help our clients meet the challenge of building an effective, diversifying alternatives allocation.
Roberto Giuffrida, AQR’s Principal and Head of EMEA and Latam business development
The fund is part of AQR's broader effort to expand its presence in the UCITS market, following the launch of the Apex UCITS Fund in April, which had $522 million in assets as of July 21. With its adaptive approach combining robust ESG credentials and resilience to market fluctuations, the AQR Adaptive Equity Market Neutral UCITS fund represents a significant addition to AQR's sustainable investment offerings.
