Morgan Stanley has launched a new portfolio analysis tool for individual investors reminiscent of the "x-ray" service offered by Morningstar for retail fund investors. Indeed the tool is powered by Morningstar. Unlike the x-ray service, it will provide information at the asset class and sector levels, but will not reveal exposure to individual securities.

The licensing deal is a reflection of Morningstar's continuing evolution from a firm based on retail sales to one that derives significant business from institutional products and services.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors Asset Scan is aimed at individual investors and will be offered free of charge to clients.

The real-time shows how the client portfolio is allocated among asset classes, industry sectors, and international markets based upon the fund holdings in the portfolio.

The brokerage firm is putting the tool into the hands of its advisors. The advisors are expected to use the tool to retail to clients how they are over- or under-weighted in sectors and how they can re-allocate assets to align with their risk tolerance profile.

"A sound asset allocation strategy is the best way to ensure long-term portfolio growth and protect against market volatility," said John Schaefer, president of Morgan Stanley Individual Investor Group. "Morgan Stanley's Asset Scan makes it easier to construct a thoughtfully allocated portfolio." 

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