Asset Allocation Tools Are Lacking at Many Mutual Fund Firms Says New Report from Corporate Insight.

NEW YORK -- Despite the fact that asset allocation is one of the core concepts of successful portfolio management, many mutual fund firms do not provide tools to help investors with this important undertaking. In a new report, Corporate Insight takes an in-depth look at asset allocation tools provided by eighteen mutual fund firms.

"We were surprised to find that only nine of the eighteen mutual fund firms we track provide asset allocation tools to their investors and advisors, and of those nine, only four firms put all the pieces together to provide valuable resources for both clients and prospective investors alike," said Chris McNeil, Senior Analyst at Corporate Insight and author of the Mutual Fund Monitor report. "We believe the overall value of an asset allocation tool is directly correlated with their level of sophistication. During our research, we came across a variety of different tools that range from complex to extremely limited. Among the most useful tools were those that allow users to create comparisons between current and target portfolios."

In this fifty-three page comprehensive report, Corporate Insight examines asset allocation tools from eighteen mutual fund companies using the following criteria:

--Does the tool feature a questionnaire or is actual account data used to generate results?

--How detailed is the asset allocation portion of the tool (e.g., does the tool break down the asset classes into industries)?

--Is the tool easy to use and understand? Are helpful charts and graphs available to compliment text?

--Does the tool provide specific investment suggestions or does it stop at asset class recommendations?

In addition, the report also includes recommendations to the industry and detailed findings of the offerings of each firm.

For more information on this research and related services, please visit www.corporateinsight.com.

About Corporate Insight

Corporate Insight is a leading provider of competitive intelligence, analysis, and consulting services to the financial services industry. Founded in 1992, the firm has a blue-chip client base of industry leaders who rely on the company's commentary and insight gleaned through years of research examining the issues and trends that have shaped the industry. CI monitors the top firms on an ongoing basis, measuring, analyzing, and communicating industry best practices. Its products include Bank Monitor, Broker Monitor, Credit Card Monitor, e-Monitor, Mutual Fund Monitor, and Mutual Fund Advisor Monitor, as well as custom project work. For more information, please visit www.corporateinsight.com.