Analyzing mutual funds can be a time consuming and bewildering task, as there are more funds than there are stocks on the NYSE. It requires access to a broad base of fund data and the expertise to understand each individual fund's investment style in order to properly evaluate its performance. 

Utilizing the right mutual funds is critical to realizing investment goals. A poor mix of mutual funds can lead to substandard investment performance or an increase in risk. In addition, replacing mutual funds for the wrong reasons can disrupt the management of an account and significantly change the account's risk profile without any improvement in performance. 

In preparing for a Mutual Fund Evaluation, IPEX will try and gather as much information as possible from all members of the client's investment committee. A client's investment objectives, asset allocation, risk tolerance, and most importantly the client's specific mix of mutual funds, are all factors that IPEX considers in analyzing an investment program. 

After IPEX completes its evaluation of a client's current mutual funds, we prepare a comprehensive, written analysis. The document analyzes each fund's investment style, asset allocation, return, risk and risk-adjusted returns. Benchmarks (indices) are used to provide the client with a method of evaluating the relative performance of the funds. In addition, IPEX compares the funds to a peer group of mutual funds, a mutual fund universe that has the same investment style. Throughout this process, IPEX examines all of the funds in detail to determine their true investment style. In conducting this analysis IPEX disregards a fund's title or description, which can often be confusing or misleading. Most importantly, IPEX analyzes all of a client's mutual funds in relation to each other, to determine whether the client has the appropriate level of diversification. 

When IPEX performs a Mutual Fund Evaluation, we help clients to fulfill their various fiduciary responsibilities by ensuring that they receive comprehensive, accurate and objective information, from an independent firm, on all aspects of their funds' performance. As IPEX is not affiliated with any money management firms, clients can be assured that IPEX will be completely objective and unbiased in performing the evaluation.