Fund research group Rayner Spencer Mills has launched three new products to give advisers more help in selecting investments.
The new products from the Yorkshire-based company are: Fund Profiles for Rated Funds, new Fund Analyses for brand new funds and Fund Reviews of managed fund ranges.
In common with most fund ratings services, the new reviews and analyses will be paid for by fund managers but RSM says this does not affect the independence and impartiality of its analysis and the value of its comments on the funds.
Fund Analyses will provide an opinion on new funds less than 12 months old before medium term performance data is available. Most fund ratings are based on at least two to three years of performance data. RSM stresses that new funds are being reviewed and commented on rather than rated but it believes the new service will help advisers get a better early handle on brand new and recently launched funds. The analysis will provide a qualitative view of new entrants to market.
The Fund Profiles for Rated Funds (those already rated by RSM) will give advisers extra depth of information in addition to regular reviews of all rated funds. There is an in-depth profile of a fund's "strategy and management style" to provide "deeper insight" into a particular fund.
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The Fund Review service is a response to the rise of 'managed solutions' and will assess multi-manager funds or multi-asset fund ranges with active or passive options. RSM will provide analysis and commentary to help advisers' selection process, helping support due diligence, it says.
RSM director Geoff Mills said: "The evolving regulatory landscape has focused the minds of many advisers and brought into consideration how they currently research and select the funds they recommend and how they can fulfil their due diligence requirements.
"Capitalising on our knowledge and experience these new services are a natural extension of our existing range to support advisers and ensure all recommendations are suitable – be they for new funds which currently lack any formal review, for advising on managed solutions or for providing up-to-date information on pre-rated funds.
"Considering the numerous guidance papers and updates from the FCA, our fund reviews will aid advisers' selection process and we are looking forward to working with advisers and fund managers as we develop these options and help support our industry."
RSM provides specialist investment research to the financial services industry including the Rayner Spencer Mills Rated Funds Service, bespoke portfolios and asset allocation models, tailored research, due diligence help and competitor analysis and market research for providers and fund managers.