Russell Investments has appointed value fund manager Dimensional Fund Advisors to manage 10 per cent of its Russell Australian Shares Fund.
Dimensional was chosen following Russell research that confirmed a mild bias to value shares in a core Australian equity portfolio could increase performance over time.
Dimensional believes that investors demand a higher return for investing in more risky value companies than when investing in growth companies.
The appointment of Dimensional will provide Russell with an increase in exposure to smaller companies and a more consistent exposure to value premiums, according to Russell Investments portfolio manager, Kathy Cave.
It will add value by using an investment process that captures risk premiums through minimising turnover, managing market frictions, harnessing the effects of momentum and recognising the impact of liquidity seekers.
