Scientific Beta

Asset News: "In January, the Singapore Exchange bought Scientific Beta, a smart beta index provider, from EDHEC Risk Institute for $186m. Its founder, Noël Amenc, details for Asset News the new outlook for the firm’s development, as well as its new ESG entrepreneurial projects."

Asset News 09/03/2020

Interview with Noël Amenc, CEO, Scientific Beta

"(...) The sale of most Scientific Beta shares to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) is a big event for us. We will not turn into a mere SGX department. Rather, we will pursue our activities autonomously, as a subsidiary with the backing of a group with strong ambitions in indices and data. One reason this merger was done is industrial in nature. This partnership will help us secure access to ESG data, which is strategic for our current offering of indices having ESG and low-carbon filters, as well as for our future smart ESG offerings. We will also have more resources for developing smart beta research, which is key to our success. We plan to keep close ties with EDHEC. For example, Scientific Beta will continue to co-finance the “Advanced Factor & ESG Investing” research chair, which has an annual budget of €1m. SGX also wants to extend its research cooperation with EDHEC Risk Institute in fixed income, pension solutions and, more broadly, multi-asset investment. (...)"