The New Blueprint: iA Clarington Bets on Quants and ETFs for Global Edge

TORONTO, ON – July 27, 2026 – In a move that signals a deeper strategic commitment to data-driven investing, IA Clarington Investments Inc. today launched its IA Clarington International Multifactor Equity Fund (TSX: IIME). While new fund launches are a regular occurrence, this one warrants a closer look. It represents the convergence of three powerful currents shaping the modern investment landscape: the rise of quantitative strategies, the surging popularity of active ETFs, and a renewed appetite for sophisticated international exposure.

Managed by the institutional powerhouse iA Global Asset Management (iAGAM), the new fund is not just another option on the shelf; it's a calculated response to evolving market dynamics and investor demands. By packaging a complex, algorithm-driven engine into an accessible exchange-traded format, iA Clarington is making a clear statement about where it sees the future of active management heading.

The Quantitative Engine Room

At the heart of the new fund is a disciplined, quantitative process designed to systematically strip emotion and cognitive bias from investment decisions. This is the domain of portfolio managers Matthew Kurbat, iAGAM’s Head of Quantitative Research, and Sébastien Vaillancourt, Senior Director of Quantitative Equities. With over five decades of combined experience, much of it steeped in the world of quantitative analysis at institutions like CPPIB and Barclays Global Investors, they are the architects behind the fund's strategy.

The fund's engine operates on a powerful multifactor framework, analyzing international stocks through the lens of more than 30 distinct factors. These are not arbitrary metrics; they are academically-backed characteristics of stocks that have historically been associated with higher returns. The factors are grouped into three primary themes: Quality (identifying financially stable companies), Momentum (targeting stocks with strong recent performance), and Value (finding stocks that appear underpriced relative to their fundamentals).

What makes this approach particularly compelling is its dynamic nature. Rather than being static, the fund’s allocation to these factors shifts as market conditions change. This is a crucial distinction. In a world where one investment style can be in favor for years and then abruptly fall from grace, a dynamic model aims to provide a smoother ride by adapting to evolving market leadership. It's a system built to navigate, not just endure, the cyclical nature of global markets.

"This exciting new offering combines the strength of our institutional capabilities with the proven expertise of one of the most experienced quantitative investment professionals in the industry," said Jean-René Adam, Managing Director at iAGAM. "We believe it offers a compelling solution for investors seeking diversified international equity exposure through a disciplined and innovative active process."

Active Management Meets Main Street Access

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this launch is its structure. The fund is being offered not only as a traditional mutual fund but also as an Active ETF Series, trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker IIME with a competitive 0.50% management fee. This dual structure is a direct nod to a seismic shift in the investment industry.

Active ETFs are booming. While still a fraction of the total ETF market, they have been punching far above their weight, capturing an outsized portion of new investment flows. Industry data shows that active strategies accounted for over a quarter of total ETF asset flows in 2024, despite representing a much smaller slice of the market. This growth is fueled by investors and advisors who want the potential outperformance of active management combined with the benefits of an ETF: intraday trading, transparent pricing, and often lower costs.

The average expense ratio for active ETFs, for instance, stood at 0.60% at the end of last year, significantly lower than the 1.13% average for their active mutual fund counterparts. This cost efficiency, combined with structural advantages like tax efficiency, makes the wrapper increasingly attractive.

By launching IIME in this format, iA Clarington is expanding a successful playbook. The firm now boasts a lineup of 12 funds in its Active ETF Series, spanning asset classes from global equities to floating rate income. The success of its existing IA Clarington Global Multifactor Equity Fund (TSX: IMFE), which had over $688 million in assets as of last month, demonstrates a clear market appetite for these types of solutions.

"Expanding our Active ETF Series... underscores our commitment to delivering innovative investment solutions and greater choice for investors and advisors," stated Catherine Milum, President and CEO of iA Clarington. "This launch combines a differentiated quantitative strategy, experienced institutional-calibre portfolio management and the convenience of the ETF structure."

A Strategic Play for Global Dominance

The timing and focus of this fund are strategically astute. In the twelve months leading up to July 2026, nearly three-quarters of all newly launched international ETFs were active strategies. This reflects a growing consensus that international markets—with their diverse economic cycles, currency risks, and varying governance standards—are fertile ground for active managers who can navigate the complexity.

The IIME fund is designed to do just that, offering investors a vehicle for diversified exposure outside of North America. By leveraging a quantitative model, iAGAM aims to systematically identify opportunities across a vast international universe that would be difficult for a human-only team to cover with the same breadth and discipline.

This launch fortifies iA Clarington's position in a competitive Canadian market. As a subsidiary of Industrial Alliance, one of Canada's largest insurance and wealth management companies, the firm is leveraging the deep institutional resources of iAGAM to bring sophisticated, data-driven strategies to a broader audience. It’s a move that not only broadens its product shelf but also enhances its reputation as an innovator in the active management space, meeting the evolving needs of Canadian investors who are increasingly looking for smarter, more accessible ways to build global portfolios.