Thomson Reuters has launched QA Point, a cloud-based application that enables asset managers to utilize quantitative approaches in making investing decisions, designed to assist in creating increased productivity, better results, and accelerated internal collaboration among investment professionals.
QA Point utilizes a point-and-click interface and access to Thomson Reuters content, all with fast performance.
Portfolio managers continue to look for new ways to optimize the risk / return profile of their investment strategies, including the use of quantitative models. However, this presents challenges for traditional asset management firms that generally do not have highly technical “Quants” needed for quantitative analysis work, particularly for backtesting of models.
Furthermore, increased pressure from investors is driving a need to improve collaboration and productivity in the investment management process.
As a cloud-based solution, QA Point can potentially add value immediately. It is designed to eliminate the time needed to install software on premises and the costs associated with continuously maintaining such solutions. It also offers increased flexibility, enabling the user to access QA Point using a web browser irrespective of location. Furthermore, the product facilitates greater collaboration by making it easier to share models and strategies within an organization’s research team.
“Now more than ever, asset managers need cost-effective, transparent solutions that drive collaboration throughout the investment management process,” said Pradeep Menon, managing director, global head of Advisory and Investment Management, Thomson Reuters. “QA point gives asset managers tools that were typically only possible with highly skilled developers and quantitative analysts, enabling them to take advantage of investment techniques that help deliver results for their clients.”
With QA Point, users can access a wide range of data and content including Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S and Worldscope Fundamentals, as well as third-party content. All of the content and data is integrated into a single, global standardized database with a comprehensive symbology mapping, facilitating easier data management. Users also have access to StarMine Quantitative Analytics and stock section models, with transparency into the underlying inputs so users can more confidently employ complex stock selection factors into their models.
Once models are created, users can conduct backtesting – often one of the most time-consuming steps in the investment management process – in minutes, not days. QA Point offers a wide variety of statistical measures, strategy analysis tools, built-in factor testing tools, and data visualization which could significantly speed up the time it takes to backtest new models.
QA Point was created on the Elsen nPlatform, designed to give financial institutions a foundation to build web-based applications that allow users to more easily harness, understand and help make quick decisions with vast quantities of data without a team of expert programmers.
“Thomson Reuters is one of the most respected sources for financial news and data in the world, and has never stopped innovating new ways to help its clients drive more value from its data,” said Zac Sheffer, Elsen’s co-founder and CEO. “By choosing to partner and build QA Point on the Elsen nPlatform, Thomson Reuters has once again shown its commitment to delivering solutions on the cutting edge of today’s technology. We’re looking forward to helping Thomson Reuters deliver continued value to its clients.”
QA Point is available in North America and will be available in Asia and EMEA later this year.
