IDEAS is a systematic approach to active stock selection, using fundamental, valuation and behavioural investment tools, supported by an extensive database. IDEAS attempts to present key investment data on large populations of stocks in a coherent, graphical way that is easy to assimilate and which allows rapid comparisons to be made. At the same time, it cuts through the mass of often contradictory market information and opinion, reducing information overload, saving investors time and focusing attention on the most rewarding ideas.

This introduction explains the background to the approach, the measures that are used and how they are put together. A companion document, the Website User Guide, describes how to access the system via a dedicated website as well as other services that are offered, including access to the underlying database.

Helping to analyse and select stocks – tools and data explained:

• Independent: no specific analyst or company input, but employs consensus forecasts and consensus-based modelled data to construct market-implied views.

• Data-based: comprehensive price, accounting and consensus forecast data in common formats.

• Equities – global coverage: over 1,300 stocks in Europe, UK-only, US, Asia-Pacific, EAFE, Global and Japan-only populations available for comparison with each other, with sectors and markets.

• Analysis: key valuation drivers, in combination with measures of sentiment and price behaviour, help search for trends, for anomalies and challenge market assumptions.

• System: clear graphical and tabular presentation of indicators provides easily absorbable, rounded profiles to generate ideas and select stocks.

As well as the tools and data available in the website, regular updates (observations on stocks, sectors and markets, monthly and ad hoc) and screens are available by email.