Investment writer
Active Quant: finding alpha with confidence
Blending data-driven insights, risk control and quant expertise to pursue reliable returns.
• 研究
The art of quant investing
What makes investing both a science and an art? In The Art of Quant Investing, we share highlights from our 20-year Quant Equities journey. Explore how research, creativity, and experience shape innovation, with stories from portfolio managers, researchers, client portfolio managers, sales and clients.
Download the booklet to gain fresh perspectives, explore key highlights, and be inspired by the journey behind our strategies.
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions
Leonardo da Vinci
The power of research culture
Over the past 20 years, Robeco has refined its quant investing approach to better serve clients. Our focus on research and fostering an open culture allows us to develop practical, client-centric strategies. We prioritize innovation and collaboration, ensuring ideas are heard and contribute to improving our process. By embracing diverse perspectives, we develop and deliver strategies that align with our clients' needs and help them achieve their goals.
A client-first approach to quant investing
Robeco’s Quant Equities journey began in 2003, responding to a client’s wish for a strategy combining the stability of passive investing with the potential for enhanced returns. This led to the creation of enhanced indexing, offering returns ahead of the market after costs, while controlling relative risk. By 2004, the flagship Global Developed Enhanced Indexing Equities strategy was launched, providing clients with a compelling alternative to traditional passive investments.
Today, Robeco manages over EUR 80 billion (as of December 2024) across quant strategies, with dedicated teams ensuring consistent results. “We focus on continuous improvement and navigating challenges with resilience, always prioritizing client trust and delivering value,” says Wilma de Groot, Head of Portfolio Management.
Discover in our full publication how we’ve built our team and culture by meeting challenges – both internally and from our clients. Explore insightful client interviews sharing their perspectives on quant investing.
Find out more
Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model
Vincent van Gogh
Combining quant and fundamental
By having access to the strengths of quant investing and fundamental insights, an asset manager can lean on collaborative learning to improve investment processes. “Very few houses excel at both quant and fundamental strategies; that’s a unique edge,” says Portfolio Manager Jack Neele. Through this cooperation, for instance, the Quant Equities team gets feedback from the Fundamental teams on dynamics the model might not pick up.
Cycles of connection
Weili Zhou, Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Head of Quant Investing & Research at Robeco, reflects on the power of connection and collaboration throughout her career. Early on, she focused on helping others, building trust, and forging meaningful relationships within the team. “When you help people without expecting anything in return, they start to see your value, your sincerity, and your strong work ethic,” she shares.
By offering support – whether through data insights or casual coffee chats – she built bonds that enriched both her work and her colleagues’. “Don’t box yourself in a vertical line of production. Always think about what you can add to another person’s process,” Zhou advises.
As her role grew, Zhou sought to instill this spirit in junior researchers, encouraging them to broaden their horizons and connect with the fundamental team. During tough periods like the ‘quant winter’, reconnecting brought invaluable insights, such as reconsidering how to value companies under new macro dynamics.
Speaking to colleagues from fundamental equities "adds perspective to what you’re doing,” Zhou emphasizes. For her, collaboration isn’t just productive – it’s fun. Her philosophy underscores that mutual support, diversity, and open dialogue drive innovation and lasting success. “That’s how I see it.”
The creation of a work of art must be accompanied by distortion of the natural form. For, therein is nature reborn.
Paul Klee
Sustainability and customization
Robeco’s approach has evolved into fully customizable solutions, helping clients specify risk, return and sustainability considerations for their investments. This can include elements such as carbon reduction or SDG alignment, which are supported by proprietary tools such as SDG and climate scores. With ongoing innovation in areas like sustainable investing, alpha and portfolio construction research, alongside a culture of in-house collaboration, Robeco continues to lead both in sustainable investing and customization.
Empowering clients to shape their portfolios
Robin van der Poel, Head of Wholesale Netherlands, highlights the transformative power of Robeco’s proprietary customization tool, which allows clients to design and refine their portfolios in real time. “Clients can set parameters, experiment with options, and adjust risk, return, and sustainability profiles to see their vision take shape instantly,” he explains. This hands-on approach not only showcases Robeco’s flexibility but also offers clients a tangible sense of ownership. “It’s empowering for clients to see their ideas come to life,” Robin adds.
The tool’s development was driven by client demand for greater sustainability, as standard indices often lack flexibility. “This innovation required significant effort, open discussions with clients, and ongoing refinement,” Robin shares. By combining creativity with tailored solutions – whether through funds or mandates – Robeco demonstrates its commitment to meeting client needs, fostering deeper engagement, and reinforcing its leadership in sustainable investing.
Evolution is always the work of pioneers, and their followers are always small in number
Piet Mondriaan
Thriving in a fast-changing field
“The quant investment industry evolves at the speed of technology,” says Mike Chen, Head of Alternative Research. Success requires constant learning, collaboration, and balancing creativity with solid execution. In asset management, he shares, teamwork matters more than individual brilliance, and is essential in this competitive field.
Amara’s law
Genuine innovation excites when it has a material impact, with measurable outcomes that demonstrate clear value in the investment process. Wouter Tilgenkamp, Portfolio Manager, shares. “We have enhanced our factor definitions, introduced new alpha signals, and revamped our portfolio construction algorithms. We’ve updated our portfolio management tooling. Many things have evolved, but we still have a 20-year track record.”
He adds: “It’s similar to Amara’s law: most people overestimate what can be done in a year, but underestimate what can be done in a decade.”
The art of quant investing
Celebrating 20 years of partnership
- 30years
Beyond 30 years of quantitative innovation – Transforming quant research into implementable innovations in client portfolios
- 20years
More than 20 years of live performance – Proven track record
- 6factor groups
Based on proprietary factor definitions, including AI-related novel signals
- 80billion
EUR in AuM – Entrusted as stewards of capital by clients from across the world
- 50experts
Well-resourced quant professionals team focused on delivering excellent client outcomes
- 1philosophy
Solutions are kept as simple as possible and as complex as necessary
重要資料
本網站僅供《證券及期貨條例》（香港法例第571章）及其附屬法例所界定之專業投資者瀏覽及使用。 投資涉及風險。過往表現並不代表未來表現。本網站所載資料僅供參考之用，並不構成任何投資建議，亦非作出買賣任何證券或採納任何投資策略之要約或招攬。投資者不應僅憑本網站提供之資料作出投資決定，在作出任何投資決定前，應徵詢獨立意見（包括有關稅務影響之意見）。投資者應確保完全理解投資產品的相關風險，亦應考量自身投資目標及風險承受水平。投資乃閣下之個人決定。除非銷售投資產品的中介人已向閣下告知該投資產品適合閣下，並已解釋其符合閣下投資目標之原因，否則閣下不應投資。請參閱相關發售文件或其他法律文件，以獲取包括風險因素在內的進一步詳情。 本網站由荷寶投資管理香港有限公司發布，該公司受香港證券及期貨事務監察委員會（「證監會」）規管（中央編號：APU851）。本網站未經證監會審閱。 無法保證任何投資產品可實現其投資目標。概不就任何投資產品之表現或投資回報作任何聲明或承諾。投資的價值或會波動。本網站所載過往表現、推算或預測，均不應視作未來表現之保證或指標，且概不提供任何明示或暗示之保證。本網站內容建基於相信為可靠之來源，惟因應資料傳遞技術特性及須採用多項數據來源（包括第三方內容），故概不保證其準確性。所述觀點僅乃截至上述日期，或會隨市況變化而改變，可予更改而毋須另行通知。該等意見可能有別於其他荷寶投資專業人士之意見。因使用本材料或當中所載任何評論、意見或估算而引致之直接、間接或相應損失，荷寶概不承擔法律責任。荷寶並無責任更新本網站或任何網站內容。未經荷寶事先書面許可，不得複製、分發或刊發本網站任何材料。 除非另有說明，資料來源:荷寶。
