Computer-driven quantitative investment products have helped to rescue the flagging reputation of Nicholas-Applegate, the California-based US growth manager owned by German insurer Allianz.

Over the past year, net inflows have pushed up the value of Applegate's quant assets by a quarter to $4bn (€3.3bn). Overall, they account for close to a third of Applegate's assets. One of Applegate's most successful quant products, the US Systematic Small-Cap Growth fund, which has $746m in assets, has closed to new investors to help it manage its investments effectively.