Aspect Capital’s just-in-time metamorphosis

Martin Lueck on the trend follower’s launch of new strategies that cushioned last year’s blows

Martin Lueck

The recent fortunes of Aspect Capital demand explanation.

The $7.5 billion quant firm’s flagship fund lost nearly 15% last year. Aspect is understood to have offered a number of staffers voluntary redundancy in recent months, and three executive directors have taken up roles elsewhere.

Yet its net inflows in 2018 were its biggest ever – $1.2 billion.

“Last year was painful for us and it was painful for our investors,” says Martin Lueck, co-founder and research director. “I’m not ducking it.”