Solactive and Natixis Investment Managers Solutions (Natixis IM Solutions) have announced an expansion of their partnership, in order, the firms say, to offer more access to direct indexing separately managed account (SMA) strategies that bring greater precision to clients’ desired exposures.
Natixis IM Solutions will be using 31 of the German index provider’s indices, among them 11 that belong to the Solactive Global Benchmark Series, and 16 that are part of the Solactive Factor Series. As equity trading fees fall, and with the introduction of fractional share trading, direct indexing’s ability to allocate assets in a customised fashion to align with the client’s values and financial goals make it an increasingly important solution for many retail investors.
The Solactive Global Benchmark Series (GBS) includes around two thousand equity indices, covering the global stock market, comprising benchmark indices for 24 developed markets countries and 24 emerging markets. These indices can either be used directly in a product, as a benchmark, or as a starting universe of a developed index. The Solactive Global Factor Series (GFS) is designed to provide investable access to the most important risk factors. The GFS heavily relies on academic research and is based on a straightforward methodology that offers clean exposures to six individual factors: value, quality, momentum, low size, growth, and low volatility.
Timo Pfeiffer, CMO of Solactive, says: “We are pleased with our engagement with Natixis Investment Managers, in a segment of strategic importance for us, providing benchmarks to expand their direct indexing line-up. Direct indexing has been progressively gaining popularity to a larger group of investors, particularly in the US. With this tool, investors can allocate their assets to a tailored portfolio with a Solactive benchmark as a starting point, applying numerous kinds of filters according to their needs and world views.”
Curt Overway, Co-Head of Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, says: “Our direct indexing business has been growing rapidly as there has been very strong demand in the market for these kinds of highly customised investment strategies. We are excited to begin working with Solactive and their comprehensive suite of indices, which will allow us to extend the range of capabilities and strategies we offer as part of our Active Index Advisors (AIA) offering.”
