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Integrity ResearchFocus®: Expert Networks

Integrity Research Associates, LLC
December 4, 2009
138 Pages - SKU: DEAQ2608774

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Expert networks are one of the most dynamic sectors of investment research generally, and alternative research especially. Initially embraced by hedge funds, expert networks, which assist primary research by facilitating consultations with industry experts, are now widely used by a broad cross-section of investors, from hedge funds to mutual funds, investment advisors, pension funds and private equity investors. Our most recent survey of expert network users, conducted during the third quarter of 2009, suggests that 36% of investment management firms are users of expert networks.

The recent financial crisis has not dampened demand for expert networks services, despite attrition in the number of hedge funds and layoffs in buy-side staff. Expert networks have become firmly embedded in the investment process. Although the crisis caused a hiatus in investment activity, it did not alter the trend toward increased primary research by investors, nor expert networks' status as the tool of choice. Over 40% of expert network users rated expert networks either 'extremely' or 'very' important to their investment process. For hedge funds, expert networks are even more critical, with over 60% of hedge fund respondents rating expert networks as 'extremely' or 'very' important to their process.

Nevertheless, the last twelve to eighteen months have been a turbulent period for expert networks, as for all forms of investment research. We estimate that overall spending on expert networks will decline by 16% in 2009 to $364 million from $433 million in 2008. This reduction is not so much the result of reduced usage, although some expert network clients were obliterated or merged during the crisis, but more from price competition. Some expert networks used the crisis as an opportunity to increase market share with more aggressive pricing, and some clients, looking for opportunities to reduce spending, forced unilateral fee reductions.

Amazingly, expert networks continue to proliferate. This Integrity ResearchFocus® report covers 38 expert networks, up from 25 firms covered in our last report in February 2008. Within the last 12 months, 6 new expert networks launched. In addition, existing research firms are adding expert network capabilities. Barriers to entry remain relatively low, and the attractiveness of the sector continues to draw new entrants.

The Pequot and Galleon insider trading scandals appear to have similarly left expert networks unscathed, so far. The scandals underline the importance of expert networks' investments in compliance policies and procedures. We have even heard murmurs from regulators that the scandals will end up driving more primary research activity toward expert networks, since they provide a compliant framework for regulating interactions with company insiders.

Not all expert networks are equally convinced of the importance of robust compliance capabilities. For this report, we queried each firm about their compliance capabilities. A number of expert networks refused to discuss their compliance capabilities with us, in many cases because they are minimal. Our survey of expert network users showed clearly that, for buy-side analysts and portfolio managers at least, compliance is not a major consideration.

We believe that it is a mistake for any expert network to de-emphasize compliance. Compliance systems and processes of the type outlined by our recommended best practices are essential to gain business from the larger expert network users, whether hedge funds or long only asset managers.

For this report, Integrity surveyed 301 hedge fund and long only investors, including 120 users of expert network systems, to better understand how they use expert networks, which networks they prefer, and why. We asked users which factors they use in selecting expert networks. There are nine major factors: the skill with which they match the appropriate experts with client requests, cost effectiveness, uniqueness of the experts provided, the firm’s compliance capabilities, depth of coverage, customer support, speed of the match process, survey capabilities and additional services such as conferences.

We asked expert network users to rank the factors by importance. The most important factor, by far, is the skill with which expert networks source experts based on client requests. To evaluate match quality we asked users to tell us the percentage of successful expert matches generated by their expert networks. Cost effectiveness was the second most important factor among users, reflecting the extreme cost consciousness in the wake of the financial crisis.

Based on the survey results, we ranked expert networks reviewed in this Integrity ResearchFocus® report on the nine metrics users cited for selecting expert networks. Each factor was weighted based on the importance given to the metric by users, with one exception -- compliance. Expert network users give compliance little consideration, deferring in many cases to dedicated compliance personnel or senior management. For our rankings we gave compliance capabilities a significantly higher weight than the user survey suggested.

Based on the resulting rankings, we selected 4 firms as 2009 Top Picks for Expert Networks. Each Top Pick is chosen from a specific category of expert networks: Global Generalists, Healthcare Specialists, Technology Specialists, and European Specialists. We did not receive enough survey responses to choose a top pick for Asian Specialists.

This edition of Integrity ResearchFocus® reports begins with an overview of the expert network segment which discusses the expert network sector generally, how investors use expert networks, and why investors value them, incorporating results from our user survey. We then analyze the expert networks' compliance programs. We review “best practices” for the policies, procedures, and compliance tools, and we evaluate the compliance programs for specific expert networks based on how well they match the best practices standard. We then provide a comparative analysis of the different expert networks based on feedback received from the user survey. From this analysis, we select the 2009 Top Picks for Expert Networks, with the Runner-Up firms and Honorable Mentions. We also include other notable firms to consider, based on their technology, business model or other factors. We conclude with our analysis of the future of the expert network industry. Profiles of each of the 38 expert networks identified in this review are included in the final section.

Section I - Executive Summary
Section II - Analysis of the Expert Network Market: Definitions and Integrity’s Research Process; History of the Expert Network Market; Recent Developments; Market Sizing; What are expert networks being used for?; Expert Network Usage Trends; Importance of Expert Networks; Finding the Right Experts; Demand Trends - Expert Engagements; Demand Trends - Types of Experts; Demand Trends - Geographic Coverage; Demand Trends - Sector Coverage; Pricing and Spending on Expert Networks; Payment Methods; Concerns and Complaints about Expert Networks; The Non-User’s Perspective; Outlook for the Expert Network Industry; Expert Network Market Forecast; Summary of Market Overview for Expert Networks
Section III - Expert Networks and Compliance: Stakeholders; What are the major compliance risks?; Components of Compliance; General Practices; Recommended Compliance Policies; Key Compliance Processes; Key Compliance Tools; Compliance Analysis; Evaluation of Expert Network Compliance Policies; Evaluation of Expert Network Compliance Processes; Evaluation of Compliance Tools and Systems; Client Perception of Compliance; Overall Compliance Ratings; Does Compliance Matter?
Section IV - Comparison of Expert Network Firms: Methodology; Important Factors in Selecting an Expert Network; Cost Effectiveness; Uniqueness of Experts; Depth of Coverage (Specialization in relevant industries and regions); Customer Support; Speed of expert recruitment / matching process; Survey Capabilities; Other Services
Section V - Top Picks: The 'Top Picks' Methodology; Top Picks: Global Generalist; Top Picks - Healthcare Specialists; Top Picks - Technology Specialist; Top Picks - European Specialists; Leading Expert Network Firms - Asia-Pacific & Emerging Markets
Section VI - Company Profiles
DISCLOSURE
LIST OF CHARTS AND FIGURES: Growth of Expert Network Firms in Operation; Expert Network Headquarters Locations; Expert Network Market Share, 2008; What types of insight do you typically use expert networks to gain?; Roughly how many expert consultations do you currently use in a typical month?; Do you currently access experts through your own contacts and connections?; Over the past 12 months, how has your total usage of expert consultations changed?; How many expert networks do you use regularly?; How important a role does access to experts play?; Which is your preferred mode of engaging experts?; How do you prefer to engage experts?; What types of experts would you like to have better access to in the future?; Are there any geographic regions where you would like to receive improved expert access?; Are there any sectors where you would like to receive better expert access?; How do your current expert networks charge you for their services?; What type of pricing model would you most prefer?; Approximately how much does your firm currently spend on expert network services annually?; How has your spending on expert networks changed in the last 12 months?; What best describes how you pay for expert network services?; If you have previously used expert networks, what made you stop?; Are there any specific reasons why you do not use expert networks?; Do you think you might use an expert network service within the next 12 months?; Do you expect the number of expert networks you use to change in the next 12 months?; How do you expect your total usage of expert networks to change in the next 12 months?; How do you expect your total spending on expert networks to change in the next 12 months?; Expert Network Market Share, 2009 (est.); Expert Network Market Forecast - 2010-2014; Compliance Policies Ratings - US Firms; Compliance Policies - non-US Firms; Compliance Processes - non-US Firms; Compliance Systems - US Firms; Compliance Systems - non-US Firms; Client Rating of Compliance; Overall Compliance Ratings - US Firms:; Overall Compliance Score - non-US Firms; Expert Network Popularity; Important Factors in Selecting Expert Networks; Expert Network Match Quality; Cost Effectiveness of Expert Networks; Uniqueness of Experts; Depth of Coverage; Customer Support; Speed of expert recruitment / matching process; Survey Capabilities; Other Services; CognoLink Ratings Summary; Coleman Research Ratings Summary; DeMatteo Monness Ratings Summary; Epito Ratings Summary; Gerson Lehrman Ratings Summary; Guidepoint Global Ratings Summary; MEDACorp Ratings Summary; Primary Global Ratings Summary; Primary Insight Ratings Summary; Reuters Insight Ratings Summary

Integrity ResearchFocus®: Expert Networks

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