Architas | How we invest

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Our multi-manager approach means we are free to explore the entire investment universe, working with external asset managers as well as utilising the expertise of internal managers such as AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM).

When constructing our portfolios, we go through a rigorous investment process to ensure we identify the best funds available before combing them into one solution. Once a fund is selected, the process doesn’t stop there; we continually monitor and review each one to check it is performing as expected and if necessary, replace.

1. Manager preselection Quantitative screening is an important element in our manager pre-selection process. Our proprietary in-house quantitative screening process reviews funds in each asset class using a number of low-correlated factors and this analysis helps us understand the reasons for the fund’s performance, highlighting those managers that deliver consistent returns.

2. Selecting managersRigorous due diligence is conducted on those funds and managers that have demonstrated excellent risk/reward characteristics in the quantitative analysis stage. We get under the skin of the manager, dig deep into their process and personality and try to understand how they might behave in periods of market highs as well as lows. Consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors has been a central part of our investment process for some time. As a signatory to UNPRI since 2018, we have fully integrated ESG considerations into our investment process, ensuring that all our offerings meet the high standards we have set for ourselves.

3. Constructing our portfolio Our investment team look for funds which complement each other and strike the best balance between risk and potential return. This involves an analysis of volatility and correlation of returns of each fund, along with examining how portfolio risk varies as weightings change.

4. Monitoring and risk management Our investment managers regularly monitor and adjust the portfolios to keep funds in line with their objectives and to take advantage of new investment opportunities. We have an Investment Risk and Performance Team in place to carry out independent monitoring, ensuring the portfolios remain within risk and exposure guidelines.