News & Research
The Metis team is active in investment research, responsible for numerous industry and academic publications on global markets and investor behavior. Because our investment process seeks to take advantage of, rather than succumb to, deep-rooted behavioral biases, we have a keen interest in better understanding behavioral and structural effects on global markets. We believe this knowledge will make for a more disciplined and thoughtful investment approach, as well as contribute to the evolution of such topics within the broader investment community.  All members of the investment team are also active contributors to the Brandes Institute.

 

The Principles for Responsible Investment is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. Signatories to the PRI publicly demonstrate their commitment to the PRI’s six Principles, and report to the PRI’s Transparency Reporting framework on an annual basis.

Metis became a PRI Signatory in September 2020.

 

The Intentional Endowments Network is a non-profit, peer-learning network advancing intentionally designed endowments – those that seek to enhance financial performance by making investments that advance an equitable, low carbon, and regenerative economy. Working closely with leading organizations, the network engages leaders and key stakeholders from higher education, foundations, business, and nonprofits. It provides opportunities for learning and education, peer networking, convening, thought leadership and information exchange around a variety of strategies (e.g., ESG integration, impact investing, and shareholder engagement).

Metis became a member of the IEN in June 2023,

 

The Ceres Investor Network includes more than 220 institutional investors managing more than $60 trillion in assets, and works to advance sustainable investment practices, engage with corporate leaders, and advocate for key policy and regulatory solutions to accelerate the transition to a just, sustainable, net zero emissions economy.

Metis became a member of the Ceres Investor Network in June 2023.

Metis is hiring a Director of Institutional Client Development who will be responsible for developing and maintaining consultant, OCIO and institutional prospect relationships. This position represents a high growth opportunity to join a team of experienced investment professionals managing investment strategies that utilize a combination of systematic active and beta approaches. This individual’s success will be directly tied to the firm’s growth of assets, primarily institutional investment products.

The Director of Institutional Client Development will cultivate existing prospects and clients as well as initiate and develop new prospects and clients. This individual will handle initial meetings, facilitate information and RFP flow with prospects, lead finals presentations in partnership with the firm’s portfolio managers, and manage the sales closing process.
Read more here

Metis is hiring a Beta Portfolio Manager who will be an integral part of the investment team at Metis. This is an upwardly mobile opportunity for an investment professional who wants to be a contributor to the expanding beta management process and grow with the organization. Read more here

Metis is hiring a Research/Portfolio Analyst who is highly detail-oriented, flexible and enjoys working in a team-oriented environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to take ownership of tasks and contribute in a variety of functional areas while seeking to grow long-term within a dynamic organization. Responsibilities will be diverse and require periodically working with others to formulate implementation strategies by gathering, organizing and integrating data into the investment process. Read more here

Metis is hiring an Operations Specialist, with a long-term opportunity to expand into a more senior role as the firm grows. The responsibilities of an Operations Specialist involve interfacing with team members and service providers on matters related to client account activity and reporting, portfolio accounting/trade settlement, account and composite performance and GIPS compliance, commingled fund operations, compliance testing, and more. Read more here

Simmons has committed $10 million of its endowment to the Metis US Equity Index Fund, making it the first of the Founders Circle group of investors. The investment is part of the University’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and to addressing the systemic barriers that impede racial, social, and economic justice. Thank you to Simmons for your positive impact on Metis!

Read full press release

Machel discusses her career path, some of the mentors and influencers who have shaped who she is as an investor, and her views on the future for diversity in the investment world.

Fifty Faces- Podcast- “Passion and Persistence” (and a few upset apple carts)

Machel Allen is President and Chief Investment Officer of Metis Global Partners, a firm she founded in November 2013. The firm, based in San Diego, is focused on global equity investment across the size spectrum from micro-cap to large cap. She previously spent time as an equity and research analyst at a range of asset management firms. Our conversation covers the entry level roles that revealed to Machel the opportunity to develop a proprietary investment process, and the fragments of inefficiencies that she loves about the investment world. Her persistence in setting up her own firm and building it in a sometimes tough asset raising environment are testament to her tremendous grit, but as we discuss, Michel has been upsetting apple carts for most of her life. We will hear why she is optimistic about the future for diversity in the investment world, and some of the mentors and influencers that have shaped who she is as an investor.

Recorded October 27, 2020

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-fiftyfaces/32-machel-allen-passion-and-RgekH2qfDAn/

Watch as Metis Founder and CIO Machel Allen leads the discussion on the CFA Institute’s first global conversation regarding race and inclusion in the asset management industry. Joined by pioneer and founder of Ariel Investments, John Rogers and Wharton University Professor of Identity and Diversity, Stephanie Creary, this global webcast frames the structural issues of race in the industry and asks the questions: “What should our actions be to confront racism in the investment industry? As responsible investment professionals, what steps can we take as individuals? What commitment to racial inclusion should we expect from our organizations?

Recorded July 2, 2020

https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/multimedia/2020/race-and-inclusion-now

Machel Allen, CFA discusses her experience leading an asset management firm during the COVID-19 crisis and shares her view that now, more than ever, is the time to have a robust, and thus diverse, decision-making apparatus in place. Machel explains how firms that embrace diversity will have an opportunity to differentiate themselves during these turbulent times.

The Home Front speaker series captures the responses of leading thinkers to the current COVID-19 crisis. Speaking from their homes, these experts share their insights across economic, social, and pollical realms.

Recorded May 8, 2020

https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/multimedia/2020/home-front-machal-allen

On Thursday, May 19, Machel Allen will be one of four speakers to lead the second annual Alpha Seeking Women Panel Event hosted by the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA). NYSSA is the New York City chapter of the CFA Institute as well as a premier financial services trade group and provider of professional education.

 

For more information, please visit the NYSSA Alpha Seeking Females event website.

Metis has been selected as subadvisor to the ALPS Metis Global Micro Cap Mutual Fund, one of the first mutual funds to enable U.S. investors to invest in micro cap stocks worldwide. A press release from ALPS Holdings Inc. (“ALPS”) is provided at the link below. ALPS is a leading mutual fund distributor, partnering with independent asset managers as subadvisors to funds that ALPS distributes to their clients.

Metis Global Partners manages a broad range of global and international equity portfolios spanning the size spectrum from large cap through micro cap (typically under $750 million). We believe that given the liquidity of the micro cap segment, the availability of a fund vehicle may be particularly helpful for investors.

Read ALPS Press Release

Join us in discussing current influences on global markets and behavioral investing, core elements of our investment process and ongoing research efforts. In this 3rd Quarter 2015 edition of our quarterly distribution, we investigate:

  • What happened to value?  Recent growth vs. value performance in the context of their historic relationship, and an observation of some of the valuation outliers it has created.
  • Emerging markets, don’t panic!- A look at these often volatile, yet incredibly resilient markets, and how a number of macro events have played out through the lens of value investing.
  • The Behaviorists’ Corner—In times of volatility, loss related fears can grip even the most seasoned investor and be a costly behavior.  We share studies that explore and quantify the impact of loss aversion.

Finally, don’t miss the Metis Firm Update section at the end to get current on all the great things happening at the firm. As always we look forward to your thoughts and welcome new ideas.

 

Read Metis Newsletter 3Q2015 Edition

We are pleased to share Metis’ 2nd Quarter 2015 newsletter. Global markets and behavioral investing are at the core of our investment process and ongoing research efforts, and we want to share our current views and research with you. In this edition we discuss:

  • Global valuation dispersion (currently at levels similar to the market peak of 2000), and the potential implications it has for value investors;
  • The world of international small caps- why an all-country approach to this exciting space is so important; and
  • The Behaviorists’ Corner–Studies that quantify the impact of investor overreaction, and why awareness of this particular behavioral bias is key to successful value investing.

Finally, don’t miss the Metis Firm Update section at the end of the newsletter to get current on all the great things happening at Metis.

Read Metis Newsletter 2Q2015 Edition.

Machel Allen Speaking at The NASP Institute June 15th

On Monday, June 15th, Machel Allen will be emceeing at The NASP Institute event which takes place as part of the National Association of Securities Professionals’ (NASP) 26th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference. The NASP Institute is a robust educational forum exclusively for members of the pension plan, foundation, and endowment community.

For more information, please go to the NASP 25th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference website.

Improving Economy, Strong Dollar Put MicroCap Equities In The Spotlight

Machel Allen is quoted in the March 27, 2015 issue of Money Management Intelligence discussing why institutional investors should be looking at opportunities in the global micro-caps space and the challenges to increasing institutional awareness of this unique asset class.

Read full article here.

We are happy to introduce our new quarterly newsletter which will feature topics including where we are finding value in global markets, strategy highlights, behavioral investing topics, and current events at Metis. In addition to these quarterly sections, be on the look-out for special topics and collaboration with our research partners and industry guests. Our goal of this newsletter is not only to keep you informed of our views and research, but also to identify new and value-add research happening at the intersection of global markets and behavioral investing.

In this inaugural newsletter issue, we review the -44% 3-month fall in oil prices in the context of history and what it potentially portends about the direction of global equity markets. The decline in oil prices has perhaps been felt deepest in Russia, a country mired by a multitude of other concerns. We observe reasons for contrarians to take interest in both developments. While difficult to endure, volatile periods like these often generate the greatest opportunities for those that can remain patient and long-term focused.

Read full newsletter here.

Metis is a proud co-sponsor of the 2015 Diverse Investor Forum ~ West, “In Search of Alpha and Best Execution”

The 2015 Diverse Investment Forum – West, “In Search of Alpha and Best Execution”, is an exclusive by-invitation only event for endowment, foundation and corporate investment professionals. In additional to Metis serving as a co-sponsor to this event, Machel Allen joined a panel of diverse managers with unique skill sets and asset class domain knowledge to discuss how their respective investment strategies are generating alpha in the current market environment. The Forum was held on March 31 at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and featured prominent speakers such as Emmett Carson, CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Joel Wittenberg, CIO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and George Zinn, Treasurer, Microsoft.

Emerging Manager Monthly Research Center, October 2014

Of the 20,000 stocks globally with market caps greater than $50M, 60% are micro caps. In the October 2014 issue, Emerging Manager Monthly recounts the recently released white paper in which the Brandes Institute and Metis Global Partners collaborate to explore the potential benefits of investing in global micro-cap stocks.

Read full article here

Machel Allen Comments on International Micro-Caps in Foundation & Endowment Money Management

The size and relative inefficiency of the international micro-cap marketplace make it a compelling bet for nonprofits according to industry experts. As outlined by the Foundation & Endowment Money Management in its October, 2014, this may, however, be an overlooked segment of global markets. President & CIO of Metis, Machel Allen, CFA, discusses with industry colleagues potential benefits, risks, and considerations investors should weigh when considering international micro cap stocks. “This is a dream universe for active, value investors…” quotes Allen.

Read full article here

Metis Speaking at NASP 25th Annual Conference on June 24th

On Tuesday, June 24th, Machel Allen will be speaking at the National Association of Securities Professionals’ (NASP) 25th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference on the topic of “The World Economy in Transition: A Look at Emerging Markets.” This workshop will look at the impact of recent volatility on investments in emerging markets and will update the current status of Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Turkey, collectively known as “the Fragile Five.” Panelists will consider the impact of emerging markets on developed markets and will identify countries that provide the most attractive opportunities.

For more information, please go to the NASP 25th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference website.

Systematic Team Spins Out of Brandes Investment Partners

The systematic investment team at Brandes Investment Partners has spun out as Metis Global Partners. Metis Global Partners officially launched on Nov. 4 with the collaborative strategic support of Brandes, which will be a minority stakeholder in the San Diego, Calif.-based firm.
The majority women and African American-owned firm is led by President and CIO Machel Allen, who spent more than 10 years at Brandes. She said the discussions to spin out the team into its own firm began in 2011 after the systematic team launched a global micro-cap strategy.

Read full article here

Metis Global Partners created from Brandes’ Quantitative Research Team

New, Independent Firm Focuses on Global Niche Strategies

San Diego; November 4, 2013 – Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., today announced a strategic partnership with a newly created independent entity dedicated to systematic global and international equity portfolio management.

The new company, Metis Global Partners, LLC (Metis), is an independent, employee- and woman/minority-owned firm focused on niche-market small- and micro-cap offerings.

Read full article here

Rising tide for international small cap value stocks? Following the long-lived outperformance of mega cap multinational stocks, we believe the recovery of international small cap and value stocks is sustainable. Read on for Metis CIO Machel Allen’s six reasons why we believe the shift in market leadership will continue.

Metis President and Founder Machel Allen continues to receive questions from clients and consultants on the same topic: “should we abandon small cap stocks?” and “are small cap value stocks a thing of the past?”. Read more on how Machel responds to these queries, and the historical observations that power her response.

Many investors seek out Emerging Markets (“EM”) for long term opportunities. But the notorious volatility of EM can provide a rough ride in the short-term. The good news from a value perspective is that periodically volatility can provide entry point opportunities with the potential to boost long-term returns substantially. Read more on Metis’ views regarding… Read the abstract

Analysis of market and company fundamentals shows that international small cap value stocks may be poised to benefit from changes in underlying macro-economic conditions, historically cheap valuations, and defensive company attributes. Read more on the potential opportunity Metis sees unfolding.

Considerations for Integrating Global Micro-Cap Stocks into a Portfolio

Global micro-cap stocks can serve as an active component of existing equity allocations or, due to their unique characteristics, may have a role in alternatives allocations alongside potential hedge fund and private equity investments. In a continuation of “The Next Thing Could be Really Small”, the Brandes Institute and Metis Global Partners collaborate to explore several options for incorporating global micro-cap stocks into investor portfolios. Read the abstract.

The Next Big Thing Could Be Really Small: An Introduction to Global Micro-Cap Stocks

Global micro-cap stocks have provided greater diversification benefits and a more robust long-term value premium than small- and mid- to large-cap stocks. In this research report, the Brandes Institute and Metis Global Partners collaborate to explore the potential benefits of investing in global micro-cap stocks. Read the abstract.

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