Investor Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Avangard, our systematic investment approach, and how to invest.
For plain-English definitions of terms used below, see our Glossary.
What is systematic investing?
Systematic investing is an approach to portfolio management that uses rules-based, data-driven processes to make investment decisions, rather than relying on the discretionary judgement of an individual portfolio manager.
A systematic investment process defines in advance what signals to look for, how to rank investment opportunities, how to size positions, and when to buy or sell. These rules are applied consistently, regardless of short-term market noise or emotion. This approach is also referred to as quantitative investing or algorithmic investing, and it sits at the intersection of data science, machine learning, and traditional investment management.
The advantage of this approach is repeatability and discipline. A systematic or quantitative process behaves the same way in a rising market as in a falling one. There is no style drift, no gut-feel overrides, and no dependence on a single person's views.
At Avangard, our systematic process is implemented through A.L.F.R.E.D., a proprietary artificial intelligence system that processes billions of data points daily to rank ASX-listed equities and ETFs based on momentum, pattern recognition, and quantitative signals developed over decades of research. It is one of the most advanced applications of machine learning in Australian equity management.
How is Avangard different from a traditional active fund manager?
Most traditional active fund managers use a discretionary approach. Analysts and portfolio managers research individual companies and make buy and sell decisions based on their judgement, experience, and market outlook. The quality of the fund depends heavily on the individuals running it.
Avangard uses a systematic, quantitative approach. Every investment decision flows from a defined, rules-based process. There is no discretionary stock picking, no style drift based on a manager's personal views, and no single person's conviction driving the portfolio.
The key differences in practice:
- Consistency: the same process runs every day, regardless of market conditions or sentiment.
- Transparency: investment rules are codified, documented, and subject to ongoing review.
- Scalability: the process scales without adding the operational risk of a large discretionary team.
- Accountability: decisions can be traced back to specific signals and rules, not to a single person's call.
That said, we are not removing humans from the process. We are making them better.
Our technology, A.L.F.R.E.D., acts as an AI-powered analyst. In the time it would take a human analyst to review a handful of stocks, A.L.F.R.E.D. processes over 28,000 price points across various capital markets, identifies statistically significant patterns, and reveals the highest-quality opportunities to our portfolio manager.
The result is a process that combines the rigour and speed of machine analysis with skillful human judgement, minimising the emotional biases that affect most discretionary managers.
Avangard was founded on the belief that minimising human bias from the investment process, while retaining human judgement in building and refining the system, leads to better long-term outcomes for investors.
What is A.L.F.R.E.D. and how does it work?
A.L.F.R.E.D. stands for Adaptive Learning For Ranking Equities and Derivatives. It is Avangard's proprietary machine learning and portfolio optimisation system, built entirely in-house, 100% owned by Avangard, and continuously developed by our team.
We are not licensing a third-party quantitative platform. We built this, and we own it outright.
Why it matters: most fund managers use off-the-shelf infrastructure or license external quantitative tools. A.L.F.R.E.D. represents decades of proprietary research and development, purpose-built for Avangard's investment business. It is not replicable.
What is the minimum investment?
Please refer to the Information Memorandum for minimum investment requirements. To request the IM, contact us at office@avangard.au or use the IM request form on the website.
How do I invest?
The process is straightforward: confirm you qualify as a wholesale investor, then request the Information Memorandum using the form on the website or by emailing office@avangard.au. Review the IM (including the investment strategy, fees, risks, and terms) then complete the application online.
If you have questions at any point, contact our investor relations team at office@avangard.au.
Who manages the fund?
The Avangard Systematic Australian Equity Fund is managed by Avangard Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 698 681 248), a corporate authorised representative (CAR No. 001321538) of FB Corp Limited (ABN 16 675 876 490), which holds Australian Financial Services Licence No. 557810.
The quantitative investment process is led by Alfred 'Alf' Eggo (CEO and Portfolio Manager), the architect of A.L.F.R.E.D. and the driving force behind Avangard's machine learning and AI-driven approach to Australian equity management. He is supported by a team of data scientists, a database administrator, and an experienced advisory board with backgrounds spanning hedge fund management, prime brokerage, and institutional distribution.
How can I contact investor relations?
You can reach the Avangard investor relations team at any time by email at office@avangard.au, or via the IM request form available at the bottom of this website.
Is Avangard related to Avanguard Capital or any other similarly named firm?
No. Avangard Investments Pty Ltd is not related to Avanguard Capital (a Perth corporate advisory firm), to Avant-Garde Capital (avangard-capital.com, a real estate investment platform), or to any other similarly named entity. If you have reached this page while researching one of those firms, you are in the wrong place. Avangard Investments manages the Avangard Systematic Australian Equity Fund and the Avangard Alpha Fund, and can be verified via ASIC's licensee register under AFSL 557810 (CAR No. 001321538).