Morningstar Acquires Hueler Analytics
A press release entitled, "Morningstar Acquires Hueler Analytics' Stable Value Data and Index" tells us, "Morningstar, Inc. (MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, ... announced its acquisition of Hueler Analytics' Stable Value Comparative Universe Data and Stable Value Index. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1987 in Minneapolis, Minn., Hueler is the premiere independent data and research firm providing reporting and systems designed for the annuity and stable-value marketplace. Hueler Analytics' distribution encompasses advisors, investment managers, product providers, plan fiduciaries, and consultants. Hueler Analytics' Stable Value Comparative Universe Data provides broad market coverage of stable-value investments, including stable-value pooled funds, insurance company separate accounts, and general account products. Hueler's Stable Value Index is the only industry Index derived from aggregate returns of contributing stable-value product providers and dates back to 1983. Asset managers, fiduciaries, advisors, and consultants rely on Hueler products for due diligence, performance measurement, and investment selection. Hueler's stable-value data and reporting products have allowed for seamless comparability of pooled funds and insurance-company-sponsored products across standardized data elements." Morningstar's Joscelyn MacKay comments, "Stable-value funds have long played an important role in helping retirement plan participants accumulate retirement savings and already account for 10 percent of assets in defined-contribution plans. While largely invested in fixed-income securities, stable-value funds are designed to provide steady, predictable returns that exceed money market investments over time and are protected from any loss of capital or interest through contracts from an insurance company or bank." Kelli Hueler adds, "We are proud of the reputation Hueler Analytics has built for exceptional data integrity and reporting on stable-value funds. It's gratifying to see these products we've developed with strong industry support over the past 30 years move into the capable hands of the Morningstar team."
