Investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW) has launched IndexWeb, an Internet-based research and analysis portal for investment managers covering major global and local indices.
The service charts activity on the FTSE, MSCI, STOXX, S&P and Nikkei, among others, and contains daily dynamic analysis including selection/ranking lists and performance/volume charts for certain indices.
IndexWeb, which is part of the bank's general research platform, spans the life cycle of index changes and offers DrKW predicted changes, in-depth coverage of index announcements, out-performance strategies and post-event reviews.
In addition, the tool provides an interactive calendar view and index projection information for past and upcoming events. There is also a summary of index construction rules and links to compiler Web sites and rulebooks. Users can also search on multiple securities and filter and download information according to index, geographic region or period of interest.
Silvio Lotufo, director, portfolio trading research, DrKW London, says due to the rise of benchmark-oriented investing, it has become increasingly important for investors to monitor the wide range of index-related events: "IndexWeb should be an indispensable resource for even the most active investor who may see these events as fundamental entry or exit points."
The initiative underscores the bank's growing investment in its portfolio trading business, which has been boosted during 2003 by a raft of new hires.