Data Collection Process

eVestment is dedicated to maintaining the data that has proven to be a distinct differentiator for clients of all types. From the beginning we have sought to capture the data points consultants and investors find most useful in their screening and analysis, as well as those which give the asset and hedge fund managers the most complete view of the competitive landscape. Now evolved from what used to be faxes and spreadsheets, our current processes represent a well-oiled data-collection machine.   

Comprehensive Questionnaire

The manager questionnaire was developed in conjunction with leading consultants to ensure relevance well beyond performance. The resulting dataset includes over 2,800 searchable qualitative and quantitative data points.

Data Management Team

eVestment employs an in-house team of data collection experts residing in locations around the world who actively pursue new managers and maintain data points for existing managers. The team’s sole focus is the collection and quality assurance of all data gathered from institutional asset managers.

Collection Process

A series of standard email campaigns are regularly scheduled and implemented in the weeks following quarter end for traditional managers and month end for alternative managers, with ad hoc campaigns conducted as needed to gather any missing data points. Managers may also receive a direct, personal email communication requesting their data be updated within a specific time frame, in addition to a phone call if necessary. These quarterly and monthly “scrubs” of the data are explicitly tracked with progress documented daily.

Quality Control

eVestment also employs several quality control procedures to ensure accurate and representative data. These methods include a four-level process with techniques such as implementing real-time data checks, recording data entry for manager audit trails, running data scripts to flag suspect data, reviewing universes quarterly and collecting direct feedback from consultant and investor user types.

Population

eVestment requires its managers to – at a minimum – populate performance level information for products since inception in order to be included in our global database. On average, our database reaches 80 percent population for traditional data by the eighth or ninth business day after quarter-end and by the 20th-22nd business day after month-end for hedge funds. The eVestment database has grown 337% since 2009 and continues to grow by thousands of products each year.