AXA IM celebrates 40 years of quant investing, embraces AI evolution
Ramkumar Rasaratnam
Quant investing is entering a new era heralded by AI, according to AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), which this year celebrates 40 years of quant equity innovation.
Launched in 1985, Equity QI was among the first to bring disciplined, systematic decision-making to equity investing, driven by AXA IM’s proprietary factor-based framework.
As investment data grows in scale and complexity, AXA IM is focused on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) to accelerate insights, deepen analysis, and enhance model precision within the Equity QI fund.
The fund’s track record in systematically integrating ESG criteria has been recognised through industry awards, including Best Quantitative Solutions Manager and Best Use of AI at the Institutional Asset Management Awards 2025[1], and Responsible Investments (ESG) category at the Fund Manager of the Year Awards 2024[2].
Ramkumar Rasaratnam, CIO Equity QI at AXA IM, who visited Australia last week to meet with investors, said, “After 40 years, quant has proven its resilience and adaptability, but its greatest era lies ahead, as technology, sustainability, and systematic thinking converge to shape the future of investing.”
Since launching, AXA IM’s Equity QI strategies have thrived by continually evolving its quant platform, expanding beyond traditional factors such as momentum, quality, and volatility, systematically integrating ESG, and adopting advances in computing power and risk management.
“One of the reasons we’ve performed strongly in this space is that we recognised early the value of investing heavily in AI. That early commitment has positioned us strongly today, enabling us to capture opportunities of scale, systematically embed sustainability factors, and help investors achieve financial outcomes while staying aligned with long-term values.”
Quant strategies aim to offer resilience in volatile markets by identifying opportunities in dispersion and mispricing, while advances in AI and computing power enable investors to analyse vast datasets with unprecedented speed and scale.
“With AI and big data, we can now identify signals at a scale and speed previously unimaginable. What once took a month to analyse can now be done in a week, enabling us to capture opportunities and manage risk more effectively – giving investors a faster path to potential returns.”
“As we mark Equity QI’s 40-year milestone, the firm remains steadfast in its mission to deliver resilience, consistency, and opportunity for investors worldwide. The transformative impact of AI and big data is ushering in a new chapter, where signals and opportunities can be captured with greater speed, transparency, and discipline.”
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