AQR is a global investment management firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver superior, long-term results for our clients by seeking to filter out market noise to identify and isolate what matters most, and to develop ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. Our focus on practical insights and analysis has made us leaders in alternative and traditional strategies since 1998.
AQR takes a systematic, research-driven approach, applying quantitative tools to process fundamental information and manage risk. Our clients include institutional investors, such as pension funds, defined contribution plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices and sovereign wealth funds, as well as RIAs, private banks and financial advisors.
Investment decisions across all funds are made using a series of global asset allocation, arbitrage, and security selection models, and are implemented using proprietary trading and risk-management systems. Both the traditional benchmark and market-neutral strategies are managed by the same portfolio teams and driven by the same underlying research. The research of AQR's principals and portfolio teams is internationally recognized and has resulted in numerous published papers in a variety of professional journals since 1991.
AQR acknowledges that ESG factors may have both direct and indirect impacts on corporate profitability, long-term portfolio performance and risk. With this in mind, our primary objective for considering ESG issues is to improve the financial characteristics of our clients’ investments. In response AQR has sought to offer its clients solutions to meet their ESG needs. This work has included: AQR’s engagement program, the development of AQR’s sustainable investmentStrategies, and additional customizations based on client demand (e.g. client-directed exclusions, or carbon intensity targets).
AQR is also committed to managing its business activities in a manner which is consistent with sustainability. In this regard AQR has a number of initiatives to help promote sustainability within its operations and with respect to its interactions with the community. To date this has included work performed by AQR’s philanthropic committee as well as AQR’s ESG in the Office initiative, which is designed to bring together AQR employees from across the firm to help create a more sustainable and responsible workplace.
The Firm has 42 principals and ~1,000 employees; nearly half of employees hold advanced degrees. We are based in Greenwich, Connecticut, with offices in Bengaluru, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Tokyo. As of December 31, 2018, AQR had approximately $196 billion* in assets under management.
* Includes assets managed by AQR and its advisory affiliates.