Thomson Reuters rolls out valuation ‘Navigator’

Thomson Reuters has launched Thomson Reuters Valuation Navigator, a software solution for automation of reference data and pricing workflows designed to enable back-, middle- and front-office teams to analyze and search across complex data sources, compare multiple pricing options and optimise valuation and risk activities.

The Navigator tool aims to improve transparency by streamlining data collection while eliminating “tedious spreadsheet-based processes” to simplify Net Asset Value (NAV) and Profit and Loss (P&L) calculations. Through data consolidation and reformatting, users can integrate feeds directly into existing internal systems and gain insight through access to market-observable inputs and source data that supports evaluated pricing.

The new tool is a reflection of Thomson Reuters’ increased focus in the structured products market following the acquisition of pricing partners in 2013, according to Jayme Fagas (pictured), global head, valuations and transparency for Thomson Reuters Pricing and Reference Services.

“The acquisition of pricing partners made us a stronger player in the structured products market especially in Europe and Asia,” said Fagas. “This new tool will give us increased coverage and visibility in the structured products market in terms of coverage as we are providing customers with an advanced solution that will transform their workflow for better efficiency and accuracy.”

According to Fagas, the new tool’s built-in high-performance search technology will enable users to easily navigate through vast amounts of consolidated pricing and reference data, while the individual asset drill-down function provides a side-by-side view of all current data vendors. This overview of available data allows users to create customized analytics and visualisations that guide evaluated pricing decisions, leading to more accurate and transparent portfolio valuation, said Fagas.

Financial services firms are operating in an environment of increased international regulation – from the implementation of asset valuation requirements through Topic 820, IFRS 13, and Solvency II, according to Fagas.

“In developing Thomson Reuters Valuation Navigator, our goal was to work closely with our clients to come up with a solution that empowers them to improve transparency and compliance in response to heightened global regulatory standards,” said Fagas.

Thomson Reuters Valuation Navigator is data vendor-agnostic and can be used with any kind of data source, from pricing-service data feeds to emails and PDFs.

The launch of the Navigator tool follows the launch in early June of Pricing Service Plus (TRPS Plus), a new tool for structured notes and hard-to-value over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives aimed at increasing transparency into the evaluated price, methodologies and market data associated with the pricing of products.