CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates today introduced Web-based interactive charts for use on the Web sites of mutual fund and insurance companies, banks and broker/dealers. These educational charts allow individuals to change parameters and click on areas of the chart for additional detail. The charts can also be fully customized by the purchasing institution. Not only can companies brand the chart to match the look and feel of their overall Web sites, but they can also choose the asset classes used to demonstrate the investing concepts in the chart.
"Given the uncertainty in the markets right now, these interactive charts will help investors run simple scenarios to gain a historical perspective," said Mark Kowalczyk, managing director of sales and marketing. "Since the company's inception in 1977, Ibbotson Associates has focused solely on helping financial representatives balance risk, return and investment goals for clients. In creating these charts, we were able to leverage our financial planning expertise and vast resources of historical stock market data to provide unbiased financial education."
The first chart demonstrates how investors can reduce risk by holding investments for longer periods of time. Investors can change the length of the holding periods to see how that affects risk. The chart also compares the risk and return characteristics of different asset classes. The company plans to roll out additional charts that tackle such subjects as long-term market performance and the risks of market timing. The first few charts planned for the interactive series are Web-based, interactive versions of the company's existing line of images, but original images will follow.
About Ibbotson Associates
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977, is a leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals obtain, manage and retain assets.
The company's business lines include investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; wealth forecasting; educational services and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials. With offices in Chicago, New York and Japan, Ibbotson Associates provides integrated investment knowledge, leading-edge technology, multi-conceptual education and a variety of sales presentation solutions. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors and consultants for quantitative analysis, high-level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small-money managers.