We do not impose a single investment approach. This means our investment teams have the freedom to develop compelling investment ideas that meet our clients' goals.
As a result, we have been an early mover in a number of areas. For example, our global emerging market equity strategy dates back to the 1980s. Similarly, we launched our first thematic strategy in 1995 and the industry's first water fund in 2000.
Our resources are focused where we believe we have a real competitive advantage and can therefore deliver the results our clients expect.
Responsibility has long been central to our company, which is why we are at the forefront of our industry in incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG).
Integration of ESG factors and sustainability risk have become the norm in our investment processes, including equity strategies. For investors that want to go further, our sustainable strategies managed by our Quest Equities team focus on companies with stronger governance, and cleaner operations and products, while our Thematic Equities team invest in companies helping solve environmental and social challenges such as water scarcity and climate change.
Our equity portfolio managers are supported by career research analysts, who are embedded in our investment teams, as well as the Pictet Strategy Unit and our economist team.
The Pictet Asset Management Strategy Unit (PSU) is the investment group responsible for providing asset allocation guidance across stocks, bonds, cash and commodities. The group is composed of economists, macro strategists, chief investment officers across asset classes as well as other senior investment managers.
The Economic Analysis team provides top-down analysis for investment teams including updates of economic activity, macroeconomic scenarios and themes with different time horizons, and specific indicators developed in-house.