Queensland-based QSuper is claiming to be the first superannuation fund in Australia to introduce what it calls an alpha-beta separation process to manage its superannuation assets.

The fund’s approach was approved by its board of trustees in July, with the process involving the management of active return (alpha) and market return (beta) being unlinked, thereby allowing the search for alpha to be separated from the policy asset allocation.

Commenting on the change, QSuper executive officer Rosemary Vilgan said the move would allow the fund to better align its investment processes with member objectives.

“Separating alpha and beta helps QSuper better understand its risks, deliver improved levels of diversification in both active and market returns, improve after tax returns and better position the fund to pursue new opportunities,” she said.