Strategic Asset Allocation
August 25, 2026
Topics - Strategic Asset Allocation Portfolio Risk and Performance Equities
Institutional investors face a daunting problem: expected returns from beta are falling but return targets have not. Stretched equity valuations are lowering future expected returns, with many investors recognizing that beta alone will likely not achieve their long-term objectives. To address this issue, many investors have embraced "equity-plus" solutions, specifically long-only active management and private equity, but both come with unique limitations.
In an op-ed for Pensions & Investments, AQR managing directors Peter Hecht and Daniel Heffernan discuss how investors are largely missing out on a third equity-plus approach that may be more attractive: portable alpha, which has portfolio benefits best realized through a total portfolio approach.
This document is not intended to, and does not relate specifically to any investment strategy or product that AQR offers. It is being provided merely to provide a framework to assist in the implementation of an investor’s own analysis and an investor’s own view on the topic discussed herein.
This document has
been provided to you solely for information purposes and does not constitute an offer or
solicitation of an offer or any advice or recommendation to purchase any securities or other
financial instruments and may not be construed as such. The factual information set forth herein has
been obtained or derived from sources believed by the author and AQR Capital Management, LLC (“AQR”)
to be reliable but it is not necessarily all-inclusive and is not guaranteed as to its accuracy and
is not to be regarded as a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the information’s
accuracy or completeness, nor should the attached information serve as the basis of any investment
decision. This document is not to be reproduced or redistributed to any other person. The
information set forth herein has been provided to you as secondary information and should not be the
primary source for any investment or allocation decision. Past performance is not a guarantee of
future performance. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment
losses.
This material is not research and should not be treated as research. This paper does not represent
valuation judgments with respect to any financial instrument, issuer, security or sector that may be
described or referenced herein and does not represent a formal or official view of AQR. The views
expressed reflect the current views as of the date hereof and neither the author nor AQR undertakes
to advise you of any changes in the views expressed herein.
The information contained herein is only as current as of the date indicated, and may be superseded
by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Charts and graphs provided herein are for
illustrative purposes only. The information in this presentation has been developed internally
and/or obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, neither AQR nor the author guarantees
the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of such information. Nothing contained herein constitutes
investment, legal, tax or other advice nor is it to be relied on in making an investment or other
decision. There can be no assurance that an investment strategy will be successful. Historic market
trends are not reliable indicators of actual future market behavior or future performance of any
particular investment which may differ materially, and should not be relied upon as
such. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses.
The information in this paper may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding
future events, targets, forecasts or expectations regarding the strategies described herein, and is
only current as of the date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or targets will be
achieved, and may be significantly different from that shown here. The information in this document,
including statements concerning financial market trends, is based on current market conditions,
which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons.
AQR Capital Management, LLC, (“AQR”) provides links to third-party websites only as a convenience, and the inclusion of such links does not imply any endorsement, approval, investigation, verification or monitoring by us of any content or information contained within or accessible from the linked sites. If you choose to visit the linked sites, you do so at your own risk, and you will be subject to such sites' terms of use and privacy policies, over which AQR.com has no control. In no event will AQR be responsible for any information or content within the linked sites or your use of the linked sites.
You are about to leave AQR.com and are being re-directed to the {siteName}. Please note that {siteName} site may be subject to rules and regulations that may differ significantly from those to which the AQR website is subject and may not be appropriate for use by residents in all jurisdictions. Your access to and use of the {siteName} site will be subject to the applicable Terms of Use posted on the site.