Reasons to Invest
Portfolio diversifier
Alternative risk premia are the rewards for taking non-traditional risk, typically employing unconventional investment techniques, ensuring low correlation to traditional asset classes.Breadth of opportunity
Ability to invest in a range of asset classes globally, maximising the opportunity set and aiming for access to multiple sources of return, regardless of market environment.Liquid and transparent
Highly liquid and transparent holdings make the asset class an attractive, long-term proposition, and provide investors with a solid understanding of the return and risk sources.Cost effectiveness
Alternative risk premia are a robust alternative to equities and bonds without paying hedge fund fees, while accessing similar return sources.Our Edge
Solid credentials
The team has a strong reputation as pioneers of alternative risk premia investing having traded alternative risk premia for 15 years, with extensive academic and quantitative research experience. They currently manage over USD 2 billion in assets under management.
Sophisticated, innovative approach
Proprietary models have been developed to support the identification of risk premia opportunities by tracking correlation, as well as seeking to limit downside risk.
Active risk management
The strategy benefits from a high degree of liquidity and transparency that enables tight operational and investment risk management on a continuous basis.
Quality and cost
Diligent cost analysis, a focus on the self-execution of risk premia, via a world class trading platform, saves on implementation costs and seeks to ensure excellent quality of underlying strategies.Philosophy & Process
Investment philosophy
The team believes the identification of risk premia investing has fundamentally changed the way investors approach alpha generation. The team believes alternative risk premia returns are not driven by systematic long equity or bond risks, but can be extracted systematically, using unconventional techniques beyond buy and hold. Such alternative risk premia offer low correlation and thus the opportunity for diversification.
Investment process
The team bases its process on a diversified risk approach, investing in alternative risk premia across the breadth of asset classes and trading styles globally. Their research has identified three main investment styles – value, momentum and carry – across four broad asset classes – equities, fixed income, FX and commodities. Firstly, distinct and diverse risk premia are identified using proprietary Cluster Map Analysis, followed by rigorous quantitative and qualitative investment due diligence on each premium and on the implementation path. The portfolio of selected premia is then constructed and actively managed using Expected Drawdown Analysis – a proprietary tool focused on capital preservation – in order to understand the contribution of each risk premium to expected drawdown. Risk management is embedded throughout the process, and monitored independently by GAM’s Quantitative Analysis Team.
1. Identify premia
- Original research identifies highest quality premia
- ‘Cluster map’ verifies correlation profile
2. Structure premia
- Full research, design and evaluation
- Cost analysis of implementation
3. Portfolio construction
- Sizing focused on capital preservation
- Expected Drawdown Analysis tool manages risk
4. Trading and risk
- Efficient execution platform and post-trade oversight
- Ongoing independent risk monitoring
Investment Team
The Alternative Risk Premia team, led by Dr. Lars Jäger, comprises seven investment professionals. The team benefits from industry leading expertise built over a long history of leadership in risk premia research, design and systematic implementation.
The varied background of the team members encompasses theoretical physics, mathematics and mathematical science. This strong quantitative orientation, combined with many years of trading experience in global capital markets, enables the team to evaluate, build and execute a broad range of risk premia strategies optimally.
The team is part of GAM Systematic, a leading quantitative platform offering a range of solutions across the systematic investing spectrum.
‘Our decade plus of experience researching, designing and improving risk premia models gives our clients a clear advantage, as evidenced by our track record.’ Dr Lars Jaeger, Investment Director and Head of Alternative Risk PremiaDr Lars Jaeger, Investment Director and Head of Alternative Risk Premia
Fund Information
Key Risks
Counterparty Risk / Derivatives
If a counterparty to a financial derivative contract were to default, the value of the contract, the cost to replace it and any cash or securities held by the counterparty to facilitate it, may be lost.
Leverage Risk
Derivatives may multiply the exposure to underlying assets and expose the Fund to the risk of substantial losses.
Credit Risk / Debt Securities
Bonds may be subject to significant fluctuations in value. Bonds are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.
Capital at risk
All financial investments involve an element of risk. Therefore, the value of the investment and the income from it will vary and the initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed.
Market Risk / Emerging Markets
Emerging markets will generally be subject to greater political, market, counterparty and operational risks.
Interest Rate Risk
A rise or fall in interest rates causes fluctuations in the value of fixed income securities, which may result in a decline or an increase in the value of such investments.
Resources
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Contacts
GAM Systematic Alternative Risk Premia is a sub-fund of GAM Star Fund p.l.c., registered office at George’s Court, 54-62 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, an umbrella investment company.