Morningstar has set its sights on becoming a one-stop shop for UK financial intermediaries’ investment needs as it gears up to launch a slew of investment products.
In a move that will see the US fund research and ratings giant take on UK asset management businesses in their own back yard, the group is planning to launch a set of income-focused discretionary portfolios imminently.
Discussions are also under way to launch a range of multi-asset global absolute return portfolios.
The absolute return strategy was originally developed in Morningstar’s Asia business but has been rolled out globally. The group is in the “design stage” for rolling out the strategy for UK advisers.
Dan Kemp, Morningstar’s recently hired co-head of portfolio consulting and investment management, said the launches were part of a strategy that would see Morningstar become a one-stop investment shop.
“The idea is to bring across to the UK what we do well from around the world,” he said.
The new launches would represent a significant expansion of the group’s existing UK investment range, currently viewed as an adjunct to its core fund research and ratings activities.
“In the US and Asia there has been more emphasis on the asset management side, so this is one of the objectives that I have – to say we are here and this is what we can do and it is all in place,” said Mr Kemp.
He said he was also considering bringing to the UK consulting services currently offered in the US, providing retirement investment solutions.
