The creation of a Thematic Equity team reflects AllianzGI’s commitment to thematic investing, as more clients look to make investments in a way that aligns with their interests and values. The new team, made up of five experts in thematic investing, will focus on deepening and expanding AllianzGI’s thematic investing capabilities as well as producing in-depth research. The team’s focus on providing stronger thematic research will benefit AllianzGI’s clients as well as supporting AllianzGI’s other investment professionals.

AllianzGI currently manages around EUR 10 billion in global thematic equity strategies which tap into global trends, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and water scarcity.

Since joining AllianzGI in 2005, Andreas has served as a Research Analyst, Director of Research Europe and Portfolio Manager of various funds. His background and experience in constructing thematic portfolios provides ideal experience for his new role.

As Head of Thematic Equity, Andreas will report to Steve Berexa, CIO Global Equity at AllianzGI. Ralf Stromeyer will take on Andreas’ former role as Director of Research, Europe Equity.

Thematic funds serve a growing market of investors who want to be able to align their money with their convictions about how powerful and secular shifts, triggered by innovation or regulation, might provide new economic growth potential and investment opportunities. They can provide investors with access to forward-looking, long-term growth stories like artificial intelligence or emerging themes that, as well as being associated with economic value creation, resonate with their values and interests.

Unlike many traditional investment strategies, thematic strategies can usually invest with fewer constraints and are generally not tied to a benchmark index, allowing them to effectively capture the disruptive stocks and trends that may give rise to tomorrow’s winners. They are intrinsically actively managed and can embrace any asset class or region, as long as the investment derives a direct benefit from an underlying trend. By investing only in the areas of greatest growth potential globally, thematic funds also provide the social benefit of helping up-and-coming companies in the most cutting edge industries to raise capital and fulfil their potential.

At AllianzGI, for a trend to merit consideration as a thematic strategy, it needs to meet two key criteria:

1. It must represent a structural shift, typically triggered by technological, demographic or regulatory changes
2. There must be evidence of broader investment opportunities directly related to that shift

If those requirements are met, AllianzGI will look at firms relevant to that investment theme. If AllianzGI finds the theme investable, the firm can consider building a strategy around it or incorporate the theme into a broader strategy.

For further information please contact:
Alastair Fairbrother +44 (0) 20 3246 7432 Email: alastair.fairbrother@allianzgi.com
Sarah Einig, +44 20 3246 7846 Email: sarah.einig@allianzgi.com

About Allianz Global Investors:
Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 790 investment professionals in 25 offices worldwide and managing more than EUR 543 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions*.

Active is the most important word in our vocabulary. Active is how we create and share value with clients. We believe in solving, not selling, and in adding value beyond pure economic gain. We invest for the long term, employing our innovative investment expertise and global resources. Our goal is to ensure a superior experience for our clients, wherever they are based and whatever their investment needs.

Active is: Allianz Global Investors

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