Why Multi-Asset Teams Need a Research Management System

In today’s investment landscape, managing multi-asset portfolios is increasingly complex. Investment managers are tasked with balancing diverse asset classes—such as fixed income, cash, real assets, and alternative investments—while also considering the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. To achieve this, firms need robust systems that allow them to manage and monitor all their assets seamlessly while maintaining control over ESG integration and active ownership strategies across every asset class.

This is where Research Management Systems (RMS) come into play. RMS platforms are designed to centralise, streamline, and optimise the research and decision-making processes, making it easier for investment teams to manage diverse portfolios. However, to truly support the complex demands of multi-asset management, an RMS must not only centralise research but also integrate ESG metrics and facilitate active ownership in an efficient, scalable way.

Key Challenges in Managing Multi-Asset Portfolios

Managing multi-asset portfolios introduces several challenges that investment managers need to address:

Data Fragmentation: One of the most significant hurdles is the fragmentation of data across different asset classes. Each asset class has unique characteristics and requires different data sets for analysis and decision-making. This can lead to siloed information, with research, performance, and risk data scattered across multiple platforms.

ESG Integration: With the rise of sustainable investing, integrating ESG metrics across asset classes is essential. However, ESG data often comes from various third-party providers with different standards, making it difficult to apply consistently across portfolios. Moreover, investment managers must not only monitor ESG risks but also actively engage with issuers to influence positive change—a critical component of active ownership.

Operational Efficiency: As multi-asset strategies become more complex, maintaining operational efficiency becomes a challenge. Teams may struggle to stay aligned across different asset classes, risking miscommunication and inefficiency in the investment process.

Regulatory Compliance: As governments and regulatory bodies increasingly emphasise ESG-related disclosures, investment managers face pressure to ensure compliance with frameworks such as SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) and TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures).

Key Features to Look for in a Research Management System

To tackle these challenges, investment managers need an RMS that offers the following key features:

Centralised Data Management: An RMS should centralise all relevant data—research, market data, performance metrics, and ESG insights—into a single platform. This allows teams to have a comprehensive, real-time view of their multi-asset portfolios and ensures that data is accessible and consistent across asset classes.

Customisable Workflows: investment managers need an RMS that supports customisable workflows, allowing teams to tailor the system to their specific needs. For instance, a fixed income team may require different tools and data sets compared to a private equity team. The system should be flexible enough to accommodate these variations while ensuring consistency in key processes.

Collaboration and Communication Tools: Effective collaboration is essential when managing multi-asset portfolios. An RMS should enable seamless communication and collaboration between teams, regardless of asset class or location. This includes shared research, notes, and alerts that allow portfolio managers, analysts, and compliance teams to stay aligned.

ESG Integration and Active Ownership: Beyond simply tracking ESG metrics, a modern RMS should allow for active ownership across asset classes. This means providing tools for tracking shareholder engagements, voting records, and engagement history with issuers. Active ownership functionality enables investment managers to not only monitor ESG performance but also take proactive steps to influence change, such as voting on shareholder resolutions or engaging directly with companies.

Regulatory Reporting and Compliance: The system should automate the generation of regulatory reports, ensuring that all ESG-related disclosures are accurate and timely. With evolving regulations, it’s critical for investment managers to have a system that can adapt to new compliance requirements quickly.

How CalibreRMS Helps investment managers Manage Multi-Asset Portfolios

CalibreRMS is well-positioned to address these challenges and meet the needs of investment managers who are managing multi-asset portfolios with a focus on ESG and active ownership.

Customisable Workflows for Different Asset Classes: CalibreRMS allows teams to define custom workflows that are specific to each asset class, ensuring that analysts, portfolio managers, and other team members have access to the right data and tools for their specific needs. This flexibility ensures that multi-asset portfolios can be managed efficiently while maintaining the high level of customisation required by firms with diverse investment strategies.

Real-Time Data and Collaboration: The platform’s collaborative tools allow teams to stay aligned, share research, and work together seamlessly, regardless of asset class. With centralised data, analysts can track real-time performance and ESG metrics, while portfolio managers can make informed decisions based on the most up-to-date insights.

Seamless ESG Integration and Active Ownership: CalibreRMS provides deep integration of ESG metrics and active ownership functionality across asset classes. With its highly configurable data architecture, firms can tailor ESG metrics and reporting to align with internal frameworks or third-party standards. Whether it’s tracking ESG scores, monitoring engagement activities, or capturing voting histories, CalibreRMS ensures that ESG considerations are woven into every aspect of the investment process, from research to decision-making.

Compliance and Reporting: CalibreRMS automates the process of generating reports for ESG compliance, ensuring that firms can meet regulatory requirements such as SFDR and TCFD with minimal manual effort. Its flexible reporting capabilities allow for customised disclosures that reflect a firm’s specific ESG policies and strategies.

Conclusion

Managing multi-asset portfolios in the modern investment environment requires a robust, flexible platform that can integrate ESG metrics, support active ownership, and provide a seamless workflow across different asset classes. CalibreRMS provides all these features, making it an ideal solution for investment managers looking to manage multi-asset portfolios with a focus on sustainability and active ownership.

By offering deep configurability, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration of ESG data and active ownership tools, CalibreRMS helps firms navigate the complexities of multi-asset investing while staying ahead of evolving regulatory and market demands.