Vanguard to acquire Just Invest and offer direct indexing

The asset manager said the direct indexing tools it will offer after the acquisition will build on a pilot program it has been offering to RIA clients that's powered by Just Invest.

Vanguard has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Just Invest, an Oakland, California-based manager of $1 billion known for its direct indexing capabilities.

“Just Invest’s capabilities in large-scale data analysis, quantitative algorithms and risk modeling will augment Vanguard’s $3 trillion financial intermediary business, serving registered investment advisers, bank and broker-dealer financial advisers.” Vanguard said in a release.

Direct indexing can offer tax optimization benefits and serve as a values-based investing tool, Vanguard said, adding that the direct indexing tools it will offer after the acquisition will build on a pilot program that it has been offering to its registered investment adviser clients over the past year and a half that is powered by Just Invest.

The purchase, terms of which were not disclosed, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.