Investors recognise advanced beta equity investing as a promising avenue but call for caution on insufficient transparency and on the difficulties in implementing long/short strategies

Following the announcement of the partnership between Lyxor and J.P. Morgan, Lyxor listed on Xetra on the 10th July 2015 five ETFs designed to capture the low size, value, quality, low beta and momentum factors respectively within the European equity universe.

European Smart beta ETF market flows are still positive in the second quarter of 2015, but growth has decelerated compared to Q1 2015. NET NEW ASSETS (NNA) year to date (30/06/2015) amounted to EUR 2.3 billion, i.e. 60% of the 2014 NNA within the first half of the year. Total assets under management are up 41% compared to the end of 2014, reaching EUR 10.9 billion.

In recent years, long-held ideas on portfolio construction have been called into question. Investors can now choose from a range of “smart beta” strategies, offering exposure to market risk premia in a systematic, transparent fashion. Where does the dividing line between active and passive fund management now lie? What is the likely future role of active managers?

So what is “smart beta”? A mere revolt against traditional indices? No, Sir, it's a true revolution – the factor investing revolution. The questioning of allegiance to traditional indices, which until now were used broadly despite some serious drawbacks, has only just begun, but the stakes are already high and this could bring structural and long-lasting changes to the way investors make strategic allocations.