Morningstar acquires financial publisher Footnoted

Investment researcher Morningstar Inc. said Tuesday it acquired the Footnoted business of Financial Fineprint Inc., which reviews companies' regulatory filings and highlights examples of potential financial troubles or excessive compensation.
APR 13, 2010
Investment researcher Morningstar Inc. said Tuesday it acquired the Footnoted business of Financial Fineprint Inc., which reviews companies' regulatory filings and highlights examples of potential financial troubles or excessive compensation. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition by Chicago-based Morningstar includes the Footnoted.org Web site and the Footnoted Pro service of Financial Fineprint, a privately held firm in Peekskill, N.Y. The free Web site, read by professional money managers and analysts as well as individual investors, was founded in 2003 by Michelle Leder, an author and journalist. Footnoted's research staff examines Securities and Exchange Commission filings for what it considers to be evidence of aggressive accounting, excessive compensation or other potential trouble signs at publicly traded companies. Footnoted Pro is a service for institutional investors such as hedge funds. Morningstar, which publishes research and commentary on mutual funds and other investments, will make some Footnoted content available on its own Web site. Also, Morningstar will offer Footnoted Pro to its clients, including individual and institutional investors and financial advisers. Shares of Morningstar rose 11 cents to $45.35 in midday trading.

Latest News

Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale
Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale

RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.

Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human
Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up
Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up

Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.

UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin
UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin

UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.

'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds
'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds

New director David Woodcock puts firms on notice over fees, conflicts, and liquidity risk as private credit shows signs of stress.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline