Study Confirms Better Method For Investment Due Diligence

PITTSBURGH, March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- fi360, an organization that provides training programs, designations, and software to help clients gather, grow, and protect assets through better investment and business decision-making, today announced that its fi360 Fiduciary Score® methodology for investment due diligence has been found to contain statistically significant content for the mutual fund portfolio construction process, according to a recent MacroRisk Analytics study.

Using data from December 31, 2000 through March 31, 2013, MacroRisk Analytics, a leading researcher in macroeconomic financial analysis, evaluated the observed relationship between various scores and future outcomes for mutual fund performance. They concluded that investments scoring in the top quartile (0-25) of the one-year fi360 Fiduciary Score Average - identified as the "Green" category - "demonstrated higher median returns when looking at one-year, three-year, and five-year future annualized returns."

The fi360 Fiduciary Score is an investment rating system that examines open-ended mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and group retirement annuities to see whether they meet a minimum fiduciary standard of care. The scores, which range from 0 to 100 (with zero being the most preferred mark), are calculated on a monthly basis for investments with at least three years of trading history.

"We are pleased these findings demonstrate that regular use of the fi360 Fiduciary Score can be an effective tool in identifying better investments," said Blaine Aikin, CEO of fi360. "The Score has long helped advisors perform their due diligence obligation by using an objective, repeatable process for evaluating investments. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to portfolio construction, and the Score is just one tool informed investors and advisors can use."

Dr. G. Michael Phillips and Dr. James Chong of MacroRisk Analytics will be presenting their results in a special session at fi360's INSIGHTS 2014 conference on Friday, April 25, 2014 in Nashville.

The fi360 Fiduciary Score is available in all fi360 Toolkits or through a Data License.

To request a free, no-obligation 30-day trial to the fi360 Toolkit, please register at: www.fi360.com/freeToolkit.

For more information, you can download a copy of the MacroRisk Analytics Evaluation of the fi360 Fiduciary Score® at www.fi360.com/GreenisGood.

About fi360
fi360 helps its clients gather, grow, and protect assets through better investment and business decision-making. Since 1999, fi360 has been providing innovate solutions to financial services providers, including the AIF® and AIFA® designation programs, the fi360 Toolkit™ software, and fi360 Fiduciary Score®. With extensive education, certification, software, and practice management offerings, fi360 is a one-stop shop equipped to provide individuals and organizations with the training, tools, and resources necessary to become more successful. To learn more, visit www.fi360.com.

Media Contact:
Sam Kerbel
Dukas Public Relations
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[email protected]

SOURCE fi360