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AlphaQuest LLC
Nigol Koulajian · Hedge Fund · Quant/Systematic
AlphaQuest LLC, formerly known as Quest Partners LLC, is a research-driven alternative asset management firm based in New York City. Founded in 2001 by Chief Investment Officer Nigol Koulajian, the firm manages approximately $2.2 billion for a diverse group of global institutional investors. AlphaQuest specializes in quantitative and systematic investment strategies designed to deliver uncorrelated returns and tail risk protection across liquid markets. The firm’s collaborative research process integrates mathematics and data science to capture market breakouts and breakdowns in futures, currencies, and equities. In 2025, the firm rebranded to AlphaQuest to better reflect its alpha-centric mission and its flagship 'AlphaQuest Original' program. With over two decades of experience, the firm continues to innovate at the intersection of systematic trading and defensive portfolio positioning, providing robust solutions that aim to perform during periods of high volatility and market regime shifts.
Simulated Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total return | +12.8% |
| YTD return | +3.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 4.16 |
| Win rate | 44% |
| AUM | $0.1B |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Updated | Sep 16, 2026 |
Institution Status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $0.1B |
| Turnover | Low (<15%) |
| Avg holding | 18 Months |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.alphaquest.com |
Current Holdings
Updated on Sep 16, 2026.
| Ticker | Name | Portfolio % | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFG | Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | 6.4% | +21.7% |
| ABCB | Ameris Bancorp | 5.6% | +8.9% |
| CHRD | Chord Energy Corp | 5.6% | +18.4% |
| VMI | Valmont Industries Inc | 5.5% | -4.8% |
| FULT | Fulton Financial Corporation | 5.3% | +23.9% |
| MS | Morgan Stanley | 5.2% | +18.3% |
| ASB | Associated Banc-Corp | 5.2% | +14.2% |
| ROST | Ross Stores Inc | 5.0% | +7.1% |
| ENS | Enersys | 5.0% | -11.2% |
| DUK | Duke Energy Corporation | 5.0% | -7.3% |
| NDSN | Nordson Corporation | 4.9% | +3.9% |
| EOG | EOG Resources Inc | 4.7% | +8.9% |
| USB | U.S. Bancorp | 4.6% | +6.4% |
| C | Citigroup Inc | 4.6% | +5.1% |
| WEC | WEC Energy Group Inc | 4.6% | -9.7% |
| XEL | Xcel Energy Inc | 4.6% | -10.9% |
| KEY | KeyCorp | 4.6% | -5.1% |
| OGE | OGE Energy Corporation | 4.6% | -5.4% |
| PNC | PNC Financial Services Group Inc | 4.6% | +8.5% |
| PNW | Pinnacle West Capital Corp | 4.6% | -6.7% |
Recent activity
| Date | Action | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | PNW | 4.6% → 4.6% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | SELL | FULT | 5.3% → 5.3% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | SELL | KEY | 4.6% → 4.6% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | MS | 5.2% → 5.2% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | BUY | VMI | 5.5% → 5.5% |
Investment Style Analysis
AlphaQuest LLC is widely recognized for employing a Quant/Systematic strategy. As of Sep 16, 2026, the firm oversees approximately $0.1B in assets under management (AUM). The portfolio demonstrates a clear preference for the Banks - Regional and Utilities - Regulated Electric sectors, reflecting a high-conviction approach to capital allocation.
Recent Market Moves
During the latest rebalancing period ending Sep 14, AlphaQuest LLC made a significant move by increasing exposure to PNW. This adjustment aligns with the fund's dynamic approach to risk management and capital deployment in current market conditions.
Investment Philosophy
AlphaQuest’s investment philosophy is centered on the pursuit of 'True Alpha'—returns that remain uncorrelated and persistent throughout long-term market cycles. The firm operates on the belief that most investment managers generate cyclical alpha by underwriting tail risk, which often fails during periods of market stress. To counter this, AlphaQuest focuses on market 'blind spots,' specifically short-term expansions in volatility and crowding. By utilizing proprietary quantitative models and systematic trading programs, the firm targets inflection points and shifting market regimes across more than 50 liquid global markets. The strategy prioritizes positive convexity and right-tail skew, aiming to provide a defensive hedge and absolute returns during market dislocations. This approach is underpinned by a commitment to data-driven research and a contrarian perspective that anticipates changes in market reality rather than relying on complacent trend-following techniques.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this page, including the simulated portfolio performance, holdings analysis, and AI-generated insights, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. All data is derived from historical SEC 13F filings and other public disclosures, which have a reporting lag. The "Simulated Performance" is a hypothetical reconstruction based on past disclosures and does not represent the actual returns of the institution. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tritonix.ai is not affiliated with AlphaQuest LLC.
Similar Investment Style
Based on Quant/Systematic.
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Frequently asked questions
How is the simulated portfolio for AlphaQuest LLC constructed?
This simulation is powered by Tritonix AI using official SEC filings. We focus on the "Best Ideas" by filtering for only the Top 20 largest holdings and rebalancing them to 100%. The simulation tracks performance starting from Oct 1, 2025. Our AI monitors for updates every Monday to capture major shifts. This concentrated approach highlights the manager's true stock-picking skill and mirrors their actual investment returns.
What is AlphaQuest LLC's largest holding?
As of the latest filing, AlphaQuest LLC's top position is Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG), representing 6.4% of the portfolio. This reflects a high-conviction bet by the institution.
What is AlphaQuest LLC's historical performance and risk profile?
Our simulation indicates a total return of +12.8% with a win rate of 44%. Notably, the portfolio maintains a Sharpe Ratio of 4.16, suggesting an exceptional level of risk-adjusted returns compared to the broader market.
What sectors does AlphaQuest LLC primarily invest in?
AlphaQuest LLC has a strong preference for the Banks - Regional sector, which makes up 36.2% of their disclosed assets. The portfolio also has exposure to Utilities - Regulated Electric, indicating a specific thematic focus.
Is AlphaQuest LLC's portfolio concentrated or diversified?
AlphaQuest LLC runs a moderately concentrated portfolio with 20 disclosed positions. The top 3 holdings alone account for 17.7% of the total portfolio weight, suggesting a strategy that favors broader market exposure.
How has AlphaQuest LLC performed in 2026?
Our AI-simulated model portfolio for AlphaQuest LLC tracks a Year-to-Date (YTD) return of +3.1%. This metric helps investors gauge the institution's effectiveness in the current market environment.
Does Nigol Koulajian manage AlphaQuest LLC directly?
Yes, Nigol Koulajian serves as the key portfolio manager for AlphaQuest LLC, overseeing the investment strategy and final capital allocation decisions.