In this article, we focus on asset allocation software for institutional investors. We cover not just functionality, but what needs to be in place before features are relevant (data foundations). We go beyond simple asset class allocation and cover what a system must have to empower strategic portfolio allocation. Let’s get into it!
PS. Limina is an investment management system, that covers workflows from allocation all the way to operations. You can find product resources in the menu if you’d like to learn more. We also have transparent articles about when we’re a great fit and when we’re not the best choice.
When you browse online or watch demos of portfolio allocation software, it’s easy to get drawn into a feature comparison. However, features matter less than:
Let’s look closer:
Many investment allocation softwares give only two views of your portfolio: the “current” portfolio and a “simulated” portfolio that includes any allocation changes you’re simulating.
The problem with this approach, is that there is no correct “current” view of your portfolio. Is it the settled cash and transactions? Or does it include those that have been successfully executed but not yet settled? What about those in-market but not yet executed? A software provider shouldn’t decide what you want to see.
Existing providers rely on managed integrations to get data into the system from general partners, custodians, benchmarks, etc. Each integration is coded and maintained by the vendor. The downsides with this approach are:
There is a new way to make the process of data aggregation faster and cheaper: a user-configurable import application. The benefits are:
All asset allocation systems visualise your portfolio exposures by asset class. Some enable you to slice and aggregate exposures on any other parameter you want, such as sector, region, etc. Flexible aggregation allows you to compare your allocation against benchmarks, even on a sub-section of your portfolio (e.g. “compare our 20% listed equities geographical exposure to index A”).
Only now is it time to consider additional features and also what features aren’t necessary. There are two capabilities often bolstered by providers that, in reality, we find aren’t particularly useful in practice:
If your team is working on implementing a previous investment strategy change, you need to see those work-in-progress transactions when doing a new reallocation. Depending on asset classes (e.g. alternative investments), redemptions can be planned weeks or months into the future. You must have visibility on these changes and understand how far your team has come in implementing them.
At Limina, we call this functionality “order planner” or “portfolio ladder”. To our knowledge, Limina is the only asset allocation modelling software with this capability.
A way to evaluate investment performance is to use performance attribution software. For example, Limina’s Brinson-Fachler model helps you see your performance due to allocation vs selection, so you isolate the risk and return from market conditions, selection and allocation.