Bond portal added to S&P's MarketScope Advisor challenges Morningstar research offerings

The popular MarketScope Advisor platform from Standard & Poor's has a new addition this week, a bond research portal.
AUG 28, 2009
By  Bloomberg
The popular MarketScope Advisor platform from Standard & Poor's has a new addition this week, a bond research portal. In addition to all the latest news on the bond market, advisers will get access to screening and laddering tools to research and compare approximately 45,000 global bond issuers and more than 200,000 individual bonds, including corporate and municipal offerings and agency bonds, as well as Treasuries. One of the key tools found on the new portal is the Bond Ladder Builder which is meant to assist advisers in creating bond portfolios and provide access to calculators while they are researching bond issues. “That's the unique thing about this bond portal; it represents a major competitive advantage for us because no one else is offering this sort of data in a way that is so easily digestible by financial advisers,” said Thomas Ryan, director of product development with Equity Research Services at New York-based Standard & Poor's. The bond portal joins MarketScope Advisor's other multi-asset research modules that are focused on equities, mutual funds, options and exchange-traded funds and that compete with offerings from Morningstar Inc. of Chicago. MarketScope Advisor, launched in December 2007, has 80,000 users and comes in many different product packages that vary broadly in price based on the numbers of subscribers at a firm and the specific content that is included. The cost can range from approximately $600 to around $4,500 a year per user. The new bond portal is an add-on module that will cost a single adviser buying it à la carte around $800 a year — but again, as with the rest of the platform, prices vary based on the package and number of users. For more information visit MarketScope Advisor online.

A new version of versatile spreadsheet mash-up Resolver One available

There's a new version of the powerful Resolver One spreadsheet mash-up. The application combines the technology of a spreadsheet program with the power and flexibility of the programming language known as Python. We first reported on the application when it was launched by London-based Resolver Systems Ltd early last year [link TK]. The new 1.6 version makes it easier to share spreadsheets with people who don't have Resolver One through the use of free “player licenses.” With these, others can use Resolver One in a mode providing access to spreadsheet functionality, but they aren't privy to and, more importantly, can't monkey with, the Python user code. That means you can build spreadsheets and pass them on to other people, safe in the knowledge that they won't have to buy Resolver One in order to use your work. You can also switch your own non-player version into a player mode in order to see how it will look for other people. There are several other features, including the much-requested ability to expand cells to grow and cover other cells below them and to the right. You can also now place images in cells as well by simply setting the value of a cell to a .NET Image. This is useful on its own, but when combined with expanded cells, your spreadsheets can suddenly start looking much more attractive. A non-commercial version of the Resolver One software can be downloaded for free. Version 1.6 is available for $200, which includes upgrades up to and including version 2.0. Resolver continues to create useful screencasts on how to use the software as well as presenting an engaging overview of the product. For more information visit Resolver Systems online.

Latest News

Senate wants changes to Trump’s tax bill; here’s what’s expected
Senate wants changes to Trump’s tax bill; here’s what’s expected

‘Revenge tax’ on foreign investors could be scrapped in new version.

CFTC’s regulatory pioneer Bagley dies aged 96
CFTC’s regulatory pioneer Bagley dies aged 96

Veteran legislator helped set the standard for derivatives regulation.

Getting your head round AI when compliance is a big concern
Getting your head round AI when compliance is a big concern

As industry edges closer to the technology, an expert explains the options.

Advisor headcount down at Bank of America, Osaic and UBS so far in 2025, Wolfe Research analyst says
Advisor headcount down at Bank of America, Osaic and UBS so far in 2025, Wolfe Research analyst says

Counting advisor moves in and out of firms requires some art as well as science.

Carson Group's M&A head sees '10-to-15 year bull market' for RIAs
Carson Group's M&A head sees '10-to-15 year bull market' for RIAs

“I'm just a big believer that based on demographics alone, we are looking at a 10-to-15 year bull market in M&A in the RIA and independent wealth space,” said Michael Belluomini, SVP of M&A at Carson Group.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave