LONDON, Feb. 26, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Wall Street Journal Online (www.wsj.com) today announced an agreement with Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research and global data, to provide new investor tools and international investment funds data to WSJ.com. The new resources are now available to users of WSJ.com free of charge. Morningstar now also provides daily price and performance data for the fund listings service published in the European and Asian print editions of The Wall Street Journal. In addition, new and enhanced advertising opportunities are also available around the fund listings, both in print and online.
The new tools provided by Morningstar are housed in WSJ.com's Markets Data Center and allow users to access more than 40,000 Asian, European and Offshore investment funds and analyse them against peer groups, on investment style, risk, performance returns, expenses, Morningstar Ratings(tm) and much more. Morningstar's fund database spans more than 23 markets, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., Pan-Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Pan-Asia and Global Offshore. In addition, users will also be able to analyse funds in the Asian and European Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) database.
The new Markets Data Center tools include:
-- Morningstar International Fund Screener -- Designed to help
novice and experienced investors quickly and easily narrow down
a fund universe. Users can select from Fund Type, Portfolio
data, Performance Returns, Morningstar Ratings(tm) and Risk, and
Fees and Purchase data.
-- Morningstar Quicktake Reports -- Detailed fund fact sheets
incorporating intuitive graphics. Users can start with the
overview page for highlights, then can analyse a fund's
performance against its peer group, chart against an index in
six currencies, view portfolio composition and investment style,
obtain background on the fund management group; and review
fees, expenses and purchase information.
-- Morningstar Quickrank -- Enables users to perform a quick search
on a fund name, management group or fund category and view the
results of advanced searches. Users can rank and sort results
at a single click and evaluate funds using the different data
views.
-- Morningstar Fund Compare -- Provides a convenient way of finding
and comparing up to three funds in a side-by-side format. The
tool presents a detailed view on a fund, sections of which can
be expanded or collapsed to allow for easier reading.
-- Investment Highlights -- These tables rotate top and bottom
Funds assessed on factors such as Total Expense Ratio,
Performance, PE Ratio and Capitalisation of underlying holdings.
"We are always looking for new ways to provide a more robust experience for our users, and working with Morningstar for these enhancements to our Markets Data Center will assist even more people in finding the information they seek regarding international mutual funds," said Almar Latour, managing editor of The Wall Street Journal Online. "The new features will not only enhance the user experience but will also provide even more attractive advertiser opportunities and we look forward to serving these audiences well."
Joe Mansueto, chairman and CEO of Morningstar, said, "The Wall Street Journal is a world-class news organization that millions of people rely on every day for accurate news, data, and information. We're honored that The Wall Street Journal Online has selected Morningstar based on the quality, depth, and breadth of our data and tools for investors."
About The Wall Street Journal Online
The Wall Street Journal Online at WSJ.com, published by Dow Jones & Company (www.dowjones.com), is the largest paid subscription news site on the Web with one million subscribers worldwide. Launched in 1996, WSJ.com attracts a rapidly growing audience of industry leaders and influentials. The award-winning site provides in-depth business news and financial information 24 hours a day, including breaking business and technology news and analysis from around the world. It draws on the Dow Jones network of nearly 1,900 business and financial news staff -- the largest network of business and financial journalists in the world.
The Wall Street Journal "Online" logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2637
About Morningstar, Inc.
Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutions. Morningstar provides data on more than 260,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, separate accounts, hedge funds, and similar vehicles. The company has operations in 18 countries and minority ownership positions in companies based in three other countries.