ERIC, an investment research marketplace, has relaunched its platform with upgraded functionality to support long-term subscription-based research relationships between research providers and investment managers.
The new platform has been significantly redesigned and improved with the technology and digital publishing expertise of DC Thomson, one of the largest private media organisations in the UK, which ERIC entered into a partnership with in October 2017. ERIC will use DC Thomson’s advanced search capabilities and longstanding experience in curating digital content to address the realities and inefficiencies of the investment research market under MiFID II.
MiFID II has delivered substantial improvements to the transparency of research relationships, but created new dynamics which have narrowed managers’ exposure to insightful content and added pricing pressure for providers.
ERIC’s enhanced technology improves its search and matching abilities to bring well-suited providers and managers together faster. An upgraded user experience allows providers to present their offerings and monitor interest on a level playing field, while arming managers with the tools to comprehensively evaluate research propositions.
The platform gives providers access to expanded management information on metrics such as views and consumption of research, and can deliver thought leadership content to prospects to showcase expertise without breaching compliance restrictions. Managers can set research preference views, efficiently find relevant asset class, geography, sector and company material and explore detailed provider and analyst information, including example output.
Russell Napier (pictured), co-founder and chairman, ERIC, says: “Our partnership with DC Thomson, the leading British digital publisher, has borne fruit in the shape of a brand new platform for the online purchase of investment research. Utilising DC Thomson’s expertise in the curation of online digital content we believe ERIC now offers the best purchasing experience for investment institutions looking to buy research online.”
“ERIC remains independently owned by its founders, DC Thomson and a Scottish charity, with no ties to investment or research institutions. We believe that independence prevents conflicts of interest between owners and customers and is fundamental for those purchasing investment research from platforms.”
Daren Riley, Chief Executive, ERIC, says: “MiFID II is a positive force which has transformed the research industry but, given the scale of change, unintended consequences are inevitable. Managers have cut back on the sources of research they consume while some providers have suffered from pricing pressure and a lack of resource required to sell research as an unbundled product.”
“Our relaunched platform has been designed to address these challenges and ensure that investment managers have full and efficient access to the quality research they need to deliver maximum value on behalf of investors. At the same time, providers will be fairly compensated for that value.”
