Investment expertise
Technology is only as good as the investment thinking behind it. This section sets out how we research, construct and maintain every portfolio and index we deliver.
| 1 | Philosophy |
|---|---|
| 2 | Capabilities |
| 3 | Process |
| 4 | Coverage |
| 5 | Defined terms |
Investment expertiseEdition: September 2026
Philosophy
Three convictions
-
1.1
Evidence over narrative
We build on characteristics with a long record in academic and practitioner research, such as quality, value, momentum and dividend growth, rather than on market stories.
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1.2
Process beats prediction
A disciplined process applied consistently is more dependable than any single forecast. Our portfolios follow rules, not moods.
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1.3
Implementation is part of the return
Turnover, trading costs and operational friction all erode results. We design for real-world execution from the first step.
Capabilities
Five areas of practice
| Capability | What it covers | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Portfolio construction | Translating research into portfolios that are diversified, investable and practical to run week after week, with risk controls applied at every rebalance. | Position sizing and concentration limits; sector diversification; drawdown and volatility checks; turnover and cost control. |
| 2.2 Factor and quantitative research | Systematic research into the characteristics that help explain equity returns, and how they behave in different markets. | Quality, value, momentum and growth signals; dividend growth; size, liquidity and volatility; backtests across regimes. |
| 2.3 Index design and methodology | Capital-market indices built on transparent rules, quality data and automated workflows, from fixed-income benchmarks to equity momentum indicators. | Equity, factor and thematic indices; fixed-income benchmarks; methodology governance; automated calculation. |
| 2.4 Shariah-aligned investing | Equity strategies for investors who want market participation aligned with Shariah investment principles. | Business-activity and financial-ratio screens, re-applied at every rebalance; a dedicated model portfolio. |
| 2.5 Thematic and ESG strategies | Portfolios built around long-term growth themes and environmental, social and governance considerations. | Technology and digital media; disruptive growth; ESG-rated universes; small- and mid-cap growth. |
Process
Five stages, every week
Every portfolio passes through the same five stages on the same schedule. Nothing is discretionary, and every decision is dated.
- 3.1
Universe
Define the eligible securities for the mandate, with liquidity and listing requirements.
- 3.2
Screen
Apply style and mandate screens, including Shariah or ESG criteria where the mandate requires them.
- 3.3
Rank
Score every eligible security on the characteristics that define the strategy, and order them.
- 3.4
Construct
Build a diversified portfolio from the ranking, within position and turnover limits.
- 3.5
Rebalance
Publish dated target weights and exact trade changes for the client to implement.
Coverage
Styles, sizes and mandates
| Dimension | Covered |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Factors and styles | Quality, value, momentum, dividend growth, growth |
| 4.2 Market capitalisation | Large, mid and small cap |
| 4.3 Themes and mandates | Shariah-aligned, ESG-rated universes, technology and digital, disruptive innovation |
Defined terms
As used on this website
- Index
- A rules-based measure of a defined set of securities, calculated and published on a fixed schedule.
- Model portfolio
- A standard portfolio of securities and target weights, the same for every recipient, that a firm can apply to client accounts.
- Universe
- The securities eligible for a portfolio or index before any screen or ranking is applied.
- Screen
- A rule that removes securities that do not meet a style or mandate requirement.
- Rebalance
- The scheduled point at which a portfolio is rebuilt from its rules and new target weights are set.
- Target weight
- The share of a portfolio each security should represent after a rebalance.
- Trade change
- The difference between a security’s previous and new target weight, expressed in percentage points.
- White-label
- Delivered under the partner’s name and brand, with the client relationship left entirely with the partner.
Arrange an introduction
If you need investment expertise behind a product of your own, from an index to a range of model portfolios, we would welcome the conversation.
| [email protected] | |
| Office | Office 1214, DIFC, Dubai |
| Eligibility | Financial institutions and professional clients1 |