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September 2008
Release Notes |
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Recap of Previous
Announcements |
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Morningstar
News |
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Release Notes
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Licensed Data Release Schedule: Data Feeds and
Morningstar� Essentials |
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Licensed Data Release Schedule |
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Announcing Morningstar� Global Document LibrarySM |
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Morningstar can help firms comply with pre- and post-sale document delivery requirements by providing access to all prospectuses and supplements in HTML or PDF format via the new Morningstar� Global Document LibrarySM. This cost-effective solution, which also provides annual reports, semi-annual reports and statement of additional information, is based on Morningstar�s comprehensive document repository, and has been the internal source of our operations data for over 15 years. Our strict collection standards and dedicated analyst team will ensure clients receive all filing documents in a timely fashion. Please contact your Licensed Data sales representative for more information. |
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Future Dividends and Distribution Data Available |
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Year-end or �distribution season� is fast approaching. Morningstar�s Future Distributions Data License provides a daily updated schedule of upcoming one-time, monthly or year-end dividends and capital gains for open-end mutual funds to help investors and advisors avoid taxable events. Please contact your Relationship Manager for more information. |
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Morningstar Solutions to Meet Department of Labor Fiduciary Regulations |
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The Department of Labor has proposed new fiduciary regulations for participant-directed investment materials. The proposed regulations will require fiduciaries to provide easy-to-understand fee comparisons across all investments within a plan lineup, specific disclosure information, along with year-end trailing returns, and information on the management style of each investment (passive vs. active). Morningstar Investment Profiles and Licensed Data Feeds will be prepared with the required data to help ensure fiduciaries meet these new requirements.
The comment period on these proposed regulations ends Sept. 8, 2008 and the adoption is initially slated for Jan. 9, 2009. If you have questions or would like to provide input, please contact your Relationship Manager. |
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Coming Soon to Morningstar Direct 3.5 |
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We are currently finalizing new features for Morningstar DirectSM version 3.5, which we expect to release before the end of third quarter 2008. The ideas for many of these and future developments come from user feedback. Morningstar Direct version 3.5 will offer numerous usability enhancements, new timesaving functionality, and more data and coverage. Click here to see what�s in store for 3.5. |
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New Indexes Released in EnCorr� |
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As of August 2008, we are pleased to offer Encorr� subscriber�s access to more than 1,500 Global Indexes. Click here to view a comprehensive list of the available index families and the corresponding Encorr module or index folder. If you have not already done so, please update your index database for access to the new indexes. |
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Strategy Allocation Breakdowns for Hedge Funds in Morningstar Direct |
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We�re pleased to announce that current and historical strategy allocation breakdowns for hedge funds are now available in Morningstar Direct. This information will enhance your fund due diligence and competitive peer group analysis. You can access the data from the Strategy Allocation View drop down menu or the Edit Data dialog under the Strategy Allocation and Historical Strategy Allocation Lists. Please contact your Morningstar Direct team if you have any questions. |
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Morningstar Bond Market Commentary |
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Morningstar Indexes has launched a new monthly commentary, which takes a look at the domestic and international fixed-income markets. Each month we will provide a performance recap for critical sectors of the U.S. and global bond markets. To view the most recent edition, please click here. To sign up for the Morningstar Bond Market Commentary please visit the Morningstar Indexes Web site here. |
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Morningstar Fixed Income Style Box�Methodology Change for Taxable Bond Funds Only |
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Effective Oct. 31, 2008, Morningstar will be revising the static duration figures used for placing taxable bond funds in the fixed-income Style Box. The new system will �move with the market� by using flexible duration breakpoints based on Morningstar�s Core Bond Index. The goal of the change is to prevent funds from moving between short and intermediate when market conditions, not portfolio holdings, are driving the change. If you need additional information, the updated Morningstar Fixed Income Style Box� Methodology document is available here. |
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Canadian Investment Funds Standards Committee (CIFSC) Category Updates (Canadian Retail and Pooled Fund Universe) |
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Effective with Aug. 31, 2008 data, the CIFSC is launching the Greater China Equity category, which will include funds that invest at least 90% of their equity holdings in securities domiciled in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. In addition, the Canadian Dividend & Income Equity category will be amended to allow funds with 70% exposure to Canadian equities, as opposed to the historical 90%.
For full category definitions, please visit the CIFSC Web site here. |
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Recap of Previous Announcements
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Introducing Morningstar Plug-In for Microsoft Excel |
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Morningstar is inviting Morningstar DirectSM users to test a new application we�re developing. Morningstar Plug-In for Microsoft Excel was designed in response to client feedback, and provides the specialized Microsoft Excel calculation capabilities to complement your use of Morningstar Direct. For your convenience, we have created six initial templates based on common client tasks and will be adding new templates in the coming months. Each historical time series can be linked to a saved search or investment list created in Morningstar Direct to quickly and efficiently populate Excel with daily prices, returns, growth indexes and more. Please note that access to this functionality requires a Morningstar Direct subscription.
If you are interested in accessing the Morningstar Plug-In for Microsoft Excel, please email MorningstarDirect@morningstar.com or call +1 866 229-0216. |
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Hedge Fund Analyst Reports Now Available in Morningstar Direct |
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Morningstar Direct now offers individual hedge fund analyst reports, which include both quantitative analysis and qualitative research on hedge funds. These reports are an essential starting place for due diligence on any hedge fund. Our analysts speak directly with managers, review prospectuses and manager letters, and analyze key data points to write concise and insightful editorial reports.
For more information on Morningstar�s Hedge Fund Services, please visit our corporate Web site here. |
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Extended Performance for Collective Investment Trusts |
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As Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) steadily gain acceptance and market share in defined contribution retirement plans, they are increasingly being compared to and competing against mutual funds, ETFs, and separate accounts. On August 31, 2008, Morningstar will begin to calculate extended performance, or otherwise known as pre-inception returns, for money managers who opt to provide historical performance data.
Morningstar will only calculate extended performance for CITs that meet the following qualifications:
• Only appears for CITs with share classes
•Only applies to CITs, not separate accounts (composites) in the SA/CIT universe
•Shows net returns only for newer CIT share classes, which the CIT money managers provide directly to Morningstar
•Copies over gross returns from the oldest CIT share class available
•Only applies to CIT share classes that are funded with real dollars; we don�t allow unfunded CIT share classes in the database, so all performance must
be �real�
For more information, please contact your Morningstar Relationship Manager. |
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Morningstar News
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Morningstar, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Financial Computer Support, Inc. |
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Sept. 2, 2008�Morningstar has completed its previously announced acquisition of Financial Computer Support, Inc. (FCSI), a leading provider of practice management software for independent advisors.
Press Release |
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Morningstar at Industry Shows |
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| Morningstar will exhibit at the following conferences. We hope to see you there. |
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PSCA, Profit Sharing/401k Council of America National Conference—Sept. 16-19, 2008 Nashville, TN in the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center. |
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NAVA Annual in Philadelphia, PA Oct. 5-7, 2008 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown |
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Data Questions |
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Contact your account team or our data quality department:
North America
E-mail: dataquestions@morningstar.com
Phone: +1 312-696-6600
Fax: +1 312-696-6019
Mailing address:
Data Questions
Morningstar, Inc.
225 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
USA
Europe
E-mail: dataquestions.uk@morningstar.com
Phone: +44 20 3107 0070
Fax: +44 20 3107 0001
Mailing address:
Data Question
Morningstar Europe
1 Oliver's Yard,
55-71 City Road, London EC1Y 1HQ
United Kingdom |
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�2008 Morningstar. All rights reserved. |
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This e-mail contains privileged and confidential information and is intended only for the use of the recipient. Any dissemination, distribution, or duplication of this communication without prior written consent from Morningstar is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error please contact the sender immediately and delete the materials from any computer. You are receiving this e-mail because you are a Morningstar Data client, or because you asked that your name be added to the distribution list. If you wish to remove yourself from our institutional client communication list, please hit reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to opt-in to this e-mail list please hit reply and include your full name, title, company name and address. We will be happy to add you to the list. The newsletter is free, and we never release these e-mail addresses to third parties. If you change your mind and no longer wish to receive this e-mail, we will quickly remove your name from the distribution list. |
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