- Are lack of in-house resources or tight deadlines limiting your target research?
- Would you like your assumptions or data to be validated by an independent third party?
- Is the lack of on-the-ground presence impeding your India focused investments?
ValueNotes can help support informed investment decision-making. We have assisted fund managers with research support services – qualitative and quantitative – across traditional and alternative asset classes. Typical client requests include market intelligence, opportunity assessment studies, financial modelling, and custom publications. Examples of some of our recent projects include:
Market Study on Shariah managed funds: The multi-asset team of an international investment manager was interested in the emerging trends in Shariah-managed funds in the international markets. Information was required about the firms offering Shariah-compliant funds, their products, their popularity, and structure (investment objectives, strategy, how they exclude Riba & Haram investments). The project included a survey encompassing asset allocation strategies and Shariah-compliant strategies of these funds. We provided in-depth coverage of the Islamic fund markets in the Gulf countries and Malaysia, and emerging opportunities in the US, UK, Europe and select Asian countries.
Property market study in Vietnam: A property fund manager, with a focus on Asia, wanted to formulate an investment strategy in Vietnam by identifying the viable sectors in the key cities/provinces. We established the potential for setting up a real estate fund in Vietnam by assessing 10 major cities/provinces across key market segments viz. office, retail, residential and industrial. We also recommended cities and sectors that were attractive for investment in the country.
Opportunity assessment study of the Indian retail market: The client required a detailed industry report on the Indian retail market to help them formulate their investment strategy for the shopping mall space. The report detailed the status and future outlook of the Indian economy, demographics and consumer spending profile, current size and features of the retail market, future projections, major players, retail real estate, regulations on foreign investment, tax structures, major international retail companies expected to foray into India, and major shopping malls and mall developers. In-depth interviews were conducted with mall managers, developers and consultants in the top tier cities in India.
Covenant monitoring and debt stress testing for a global fixed income fund manager: A fund manager was required to take an informed view on fixed income exposure to select companies. We created and updated financial models of the specified global companies by integrating both financial and operational metrics. This included projecting financial numbers based on underlying assumptions of growth. We stress tested debt covenants of these companies at varying levels of revenue and utilization, for ability to meet debt commitments.
Ongoing research support to one of Australia’s largest wealth managers: We provide research support to the client’s fund managers, and research and strategy departments. Support typically includes maintaining & updating financial models with detailed metrics; statistical analysis; product development support; market studies & reports, based on secondary research; tracking trends in key market segments; monitoring regulatory developments and their impact on the client’s operations; scoping new markets for potential market entry; and identifying and profiling potential M&A possibilities.
Custom newsletter for an Asia-Pacific fund manager’s global infrastructure clients: global leader in infrastructure fund management wanted to showcase their knowledge through research-backed information. We provided bespoke content for a monthly global infrastructure update that the client sent out to its customers. The update included content on infrastructure development across North America, Europe, North Asia and Australasia; in segments including energy and power, water and waste, transport, utilities, social infrastructure, and telecom.
Maintenance of financial models of Asian stocks: An Asia-focused investment manager required periodic updates of a detailed analytical financial model of MSCI Asia Indices constituents. Financial models of identified companies were updated overnight on the day the results were announced. Due to our quick turnaround, the client’s analysts were able to take a future call on the stock the very next day.
Financial modelling of listed global infrastructure stocks: An international asset manager wanted to identify and monitor investment opportunities for their infrastructure fund. We built a bespoke time-series financial model over a 5-year period of all listed infrastructure companies, across various infra sub-sectors globally. The model captured both key financial and non-financial data for analysing these companies.
Financial model for listed property companies in Europe: An international real estate manager required financial models to identify investment opportunities for a recently set up property fund focused on the European real estate market, and to monitor the key fundamentals in the industry. We built a detailed time-series financial model for a 10-year period of all listed European property companies. The model captured key financial and statistical data for analysing these companies.
