Go to: PM&R Help Menu
- Create an Asset Class Model
- Edit an Asset Class Model
If entitled, create an Asset Class model to rebalance an account. These models use predefined asset classifications to define an investment strategy more precisely. Asset Class models can be saved for future use and, if entitled, shared with users at your firm.
You have two options to create these models:
Create a Model
This represents a new Asset Class model that you manually create from scratch.
Copy an Existing Model
This represents an Asset Class model created by copying the investment strategy of another model, which you may then further modify. (Copy an Existing Model)
Note
Asset classifications for securities are provided at the end of each business day by Morningstar and International Data Corporation (IDC).
Follow this recommended order to create an Asset Class model:
- Define Model
- Choose Asset Mix
- Add Sleeves
- Add Securities
- Save Model
In this step, define basic details about the model, such as its name, description, and tolerance.
Asset Class models only allow tolerance in percents; these models do not allow tolerance in dollars. Each security's tolerance is then calculated based on the portfolio's target percents and tolerance ranges defined at the Asset Mix level.
To define the model
Select Models > Create Brokerage Model.
Enter the Model Name.
- To define the purpose of a model, enter its Description.
From Model Type, select Asset Class.
From Set Tolerance, the model is set to % of Model, which you cannot change.
- % of Model indicates that drift or tolerance is percentage-based.
(If entitled) Choose the Access Type:
Public
Access to the model is unlimited to members of your firm..
Private
Access to the model is limited to you or another member of your firm.
Go to: Choose Asset Mix
Use the Asset Mix section to choose which asset categories to include in the model.
You must add at least one category (Equity, Fixed Income, Alternative/Other, Cash or Cash Equivalent, and Hybrid/Multi-Asset) to the model, and then indicate the percentage to invest (Portfolio Target). Portfolio Target is relative to the whole model and is computed as you enter targets. The total target must equal 100 %. To further refine the percentage to invest, enter a minimum and maximum drift tolerance range (Min %, Max %).
To choose an asset mix
Perform these steps for each asset category in the model:
In the Portfolio Target box, enter the percentage to invest in the asset category. This is an absolute value.
- Total Remaining keeps a running tally (must total 100%).
- An interactive chart demonstrates the allocation breakdown.
- Hover your pointer over a section of the chart to view its details.
In the Min % and Max %, boxes, refine the percentage to invest:
Min %
Enter the lowest percentage of the portfolio you do not want to go below (lower threshold).
Max %
Enter the highest percentage of the portfolio you do not want to go above (upper threshold).
Go to: Add Sleeves
Below the Asset Mix chart is the Model Design tab. There, specify criteria, known as "sleeves," to further define your model. There are four sleeves, and each contains asset class "nodes:"
Geography
All, Domestic, International, Unclassified
Market Cap
All, Large Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap, Unclassified
Style
All, Growth, Value, Blend, Unclassified
Sector
All, Basic Materials, Communication Services, Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Defensive, Consumer Goods & Services, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials, Natural Resources, Precious Metals, Real Estate, Technology, Utilities, Unclassified
After you specify the asset mix, choose any sleeve as the next level in the model. Not all sleeves must be specified. For example, if the model includes the Equity asset class, you could include a Geography sleeve, or skip Geography to include Market Cap, Style, or Sector instead. Although you skipped Geography, the model would still implicitly include all Geography nodes (Domestic, International, and Unclassified). But, by specifying Geography nodes, you narrow the target of the model. If you skip a sleeve, you can return to the sleeve – yet, at its typically level in the hierarchy. For example, you can add the Geography sleeve after you add Sector. Geography would be inserted, yet you would need to reenter nodes already established below Geography.
To add sleeves
Select the Model Design tab.
For a sleeve, select its Edit button.
Choose the nodes to include and select Apply.
Enter a Sleeve Target for each chosen node.
- Portfolio Target, which is relative to whole model, is computed.
- Sleeve Target must equal 100 %.
Repeat steps 2-4 until sleeves are completed.
Go to: Add Securities
The second tab below the Asset Mix chart is Securities. There, search for securities to add to the model. Within the search results, PM&R displays a security's asset class hierarchy so you can match securities to your model's design.
To add securities to sleeves
Select the Securities tab.
Enter the symbol or CUSIP of a security, at least one character, and select the magnifying glass or press Tab. (Security Lookup)
- Results indicate a security's asset class hierarchy.
- In the Symbol column of a security to add, select the link.
- The security is added to its appropriate sleeve in the model.
Enter the Sleeve Target percentage to invest in the security, and press Tab.
- A Sleeve's Target must total 100 %.
- A Sleeve's Total Remaining indicates what is left to allocate.
- To delete a listed security, select its Remove link.
Repeat steps 2-3 to add another security.
Go to: Save Model
You can save a model even when it is not fully allocated. However, as long as the model remains not fully allocated, the model is unavailable for use in rebalancing or drift reports.
To save the model, select Save Model.
or
To share the model with users at your firm, select Save & Share. (Share a Model)
or
To assign clients, groups, or accounts to the model, select Save & Assign. (Manage Model Assignments)
Revise or edit an existing Asset Class model that you created. Since editing an Asset Class model is similar to creating one, see Create an Asset Class Model.
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