Episode 190

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Published on:

31st Mar 2026

Transparency in quant investing

Quant + ESG Without the Black Box: Transparent Sustainable Investing with AXA IM’s Ram Rasaratnam | The Greener Way

In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with Ram Rasaratnam, CIO of Equity Quant Investing at AXA IM, part of BNP Paribas, about some of the misconceptions about quant investing, including calling it a ‘black box’.

Describing it instead as “fundamental investing at scale”, Ram explains how sustainability portfolios can be built with clearly defined steps that show both the ESG overlays and the fund manager’s core fundamental decisions.

Asked on the impact of AI, Ram shares how the latest technology has transformed the fund’s investment toolbox - but that the market, despite all the quant analysis in the world, still keeps him on his toes.

01:38 Quant as fundamentals at scale

03:39 Separating ESG and returns

05:27 Machine learning toolbox

07:42 Markets keep changing

08:54 Mindset shift for ESG quants

We record on Gadigal land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country and elders past and present. 

https://www.fssustainability.com.au/



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The Greener Way
Conversations about people, planet and profit-for-purpose in a complex world, brought to you by the publishers of FS Sustainability.
The Greener Way is your podcast for exploring the big environmental, social and governance questions. Each week, The Greener Way will focus on deep conversations with investment and corporate experts who are deeply engaged in managing the sustainability challenges facing our planet.

From climate change to biodiversity, human rights and modern slavery to corporate purpose and governance, we tackle head-on the nuances and trade-offs of our complicated world.

The Greener Way is the podcast of FS Sustainability, the premier weekly trade publication that covers how investors and companies are changing real world outcomes across environmental, social and governance issues.