First State Super has awarded Neuberger Berman a $1.6 billion mandate to provide non-market risk premia in emerging market equities with controlled cost.
First State Super said it may eventually move the portfolio in-house alongside other strategies managed internally.
Neuberger Berman Australia joint managing director, Lucas Rooney, said: "First State Super liked our approach to factor based equity investing, which shows low correlation to competitors."
"Research projects in areas where we have strong expertise, that go on to form part of clients' portfolios, are not uncommon for NB, as is helping clients who are building out internal capability," he said.
Investors have slashed their US equity allocations to the lowest level on record, according to new data from Bank of America.
The message from experts in international trade and economists is that the Australian government should refrain from retaliating with reciprocal tariffs.
The market correction forecast by AMP’s chief economist is in full swing, with three weeks of turbulence culminating in significant losses on Tuesday.
Following a strong risk appetite in January, institutional investors have pulled back in February, with risk-seeking activity dropping to zero amid a decline in equity allocations.