Investment Plus: About: Database

The Historical Returns Database is an important supplementary component to be used in conjunction with Investment Plus. It provides a single, organized reference tool containing useful long-term historical performance on all major types of investment. Comprehensive data for economic indicators, U.S. equities, U.S. fixed income, cash equivalents, international investments, mutual funds, money managers and many other investments are included in the database.

Database Coverage. Covers about 2,000 market indices, 11,000 mutual funds and 3,000 money manager products. Each data series in the Historical Returns Database is a recognized economic or financial indicator generally dating as far back as January 1960.

Database Updates. The information contained in the historical returns databases changes rapidly. Not only are updated returns continually being compiled, but new market indices and investment products are continually being devised. And, existing return series are constantly being revised or deleted. To keep each of the databases current, updates are provided on a calendar quarter basis. Updates are normally available within four weeks after the end of each calendar quarter and are provided on diskette.

Data Import/Export. The historical values for each data series contained in the Historical Returns Database can be easily copied and transferred to another Microsoft Windows application using the Windows Clipboard. Most often, this information is transferred to a spreadsheet or word processing application where further analysis is to be performed on the historical values.

The Microsoft Windows Clipboard also provides a means of temporary storage of historical data for a Returns Series that you may want to add into the User-Specified Data section of the database from other applications. You can copy historical data from the other applications onto the Clipboard and then transfer that information to the database. It is most common for the historical data to be stored on a spreadsheet running in Microsoft Windows. This feature eliminates the need to manually enter the data into the User-Specified Data section.

DOMESTIC DATABASE
The U.S. Domestic Database and the International Database are provided at no additional fee to all users of Investment Plus. The two databases of capital market indices cover over 2,000 domestic and international broad market indices. Included is the full history on virtually every widely-recognized market index that is published.

Within the U.S. Domestic Database, market indices are tracked for equity, fixed income, cash equivalent, commodity and all other capital market sectors. Most of the historical returns are total returns (capital appreciation and yield) reported on a monthly basis extending back to 1960 or the inception date. Equity indices are organized by the publisher of the indices. Bond indices are organized by the issue type.

The database of market indices is compiled by Frontier Analytics from approximately 75 highly reliable data sources. The historical returns contained in the database are as reported by each data provider and have not been modified in any way.

INTERNATIONAL DATABASE
The International Database that is included with Investment Plus covers all major geographic regions, developed countries and emerging markets. Global and regional equity, fixed income, cash and currency baskets are provided in U.S. dollar and local currencies. Developed markets cover the economic, equity, fixed income, cash and currency returns. Emerging markets cover the equity markets by share price and total returns in U.S. dollar and local currency.

MUTUAL FUNDS DATABASE
The Mutual Funds Database that can be included with Investment Plus covers all NASDAQ-listed mutual funds and fund objective categories. There are over 11,000 mutual funds and 44 fund categories. Every imaginable mutual fund can be researched.

Mutual funds are grouped by one of 44 fund categories and are listed alphabetically. Both U.S. and international mutual funds are covered. The returns data for each mutual fund are monthly total returns extending back to 1976 or the inception date.

The database of mutual funds is supplied on a quarterly basis by Morningstar of Chicago, Illinois. Morningstar is a premier provider of mutual fund information to the investment industry.

MONEY MANAGER DATABASE
The Money Manager Databases that can be included with Investment Plus cover all major money manager products. Each database includes over 3,000 products offered by about 1,000 money management firms.

The money manager returns are grouped according to their universe classification and are listed alphabetically. The data may include both separately-managed and commingled funds' returns. The returns data for each money manager product are quarterly gross and/or net returns extending back at least one year.

The Money Manager Returns database is supplied by either Mobius Group of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina or by Plan Sponsor Network (Effron Enterprises) of Port Chester, New York. The data is provided to mutual clients of Investment Plus at no additional fee.