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CONTACT: Lisa Herbert
+1-310-899-5325 (O)
+1-310-728-5341 (C)
lherbert@wilshire.com
WILSHIRE FURTHER EXTENDS ‘POWERED BY WILSHIRE℠’ INDEX SUITE WITH LAUNCH OF BRI LONG/SHORT EQUITY INDEX℠
— BRI Partners Seeks to Deliver Next Generation of Alternative Indexes, Launches Initial Benchmark for Active Equity Hedge Fund Strategies —
SANTA MONICA, Calif., February 22, 2017 –Wilshire Associates (Wilshire®) today announced the launch of a new index Powered by Wilshire℠, the BRI Long/Short Equity Index℠ (BRILSE). The new index, created and owned by BRI Partners, LLC (BRI) and calculated by Wilshire, is designed to provide a beta benchmark for active long/short US equity hedge fund strategies.
The BRI Long/Short Equity Index uses a systematic, rules-based approach to create a dynamically hedged portfolio of equities delivering the same risk/return profile as long/short equity hedge funds. The index leverages various selection criteria metrics such as value, growth and volatility to identify large-cap and mid-cap equities for index inclusion. The long portion of the index is then dynamically hedged using broad-based equity futures.
“Wilshire Analytics is thrilled to help fuel yet another Powered by Wilshire index offering from BRI. Wilshire’s calculation and analytical expertise combined with BRI’s innovative, proprietary systematic indexes demonstrate the value of a Powered by Wilshire approach which can help clients bring new investment benchmark strategy ideas to market quickly,” commented Robert J. Waid, Managing Director at Wilshire Associates.
“We have a singular objective: to create a family of indexes that aim to measure the beta of alternative strategies more cost-effectively and efficiently,” said Adam Brass, founder of BRI. “We are proud to leverage Wilshire’s deep index calculation and analytical expertise to bring to investors the first of a next generation of indexes in this area. Each index is designed to be lowcost, transparent, scalable and liquid. Our indexes make it easier to quantify and demystify hedge fund strategies. They allow investors to reliably measure alternative strategy beta against which to measure active hedge fund managers. The timing could not be better,” added Brass.
For more information about the newly launched BRI index, please visit
http://wilshire.com/indexinfo/poweredbywilshire/BRI-Long-Short-Equity-Index.html
About Wilshire Associates
Wilshire Associates, a leading global financial services firm, provides consulting services, analytics solutions and customized investment solutions to plan sponsors, investment managers and financial intermediaries. Its business units include, Wilshire Analytics, Wilshire Consulting, Wilshire Funds Management and Wilshire Private Markets.
The firm was founded in 1972, providing revolutionary technology and acting as an early innovator in the application of investment analytics and research to investment managers in the institutional marketplace. Wilshire also is credited with helping to develop the field of quantitative investment analysis that uses mathematical tools to analyze market risks. All other business units evolved from Wilshire’s strong analytics foundation.
Wilshire developed the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index and became an early innovator in creating integrated asset/liability analysis/simulation models as well as practical models in risk budgeting through beta and active risk analysis. Wilshire has grown to a firm of approximately 300 employees serving the needs of investors around the world.
Based in Santa Monica, California, Wilshire provides services to clients in more than 20 countries representing more than 500 organizations with assets totaling approximately US $7 trillion.* With ten offices worldwide, Wilshire Associates and its affiliates are dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality counsel, products and services. Wilshire® and Wilshire 5000® are registered service marks of Wilshire Associates Incorporated. Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index℠, Powered by Wilshire℠ and Wilshire Bond Index℠ are service marks of Wilshire Associates Incorporated.
Please visit www.wilshire.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter: @WilshireAssoc
About BRI Parnters, LLC
BRI Partners, LLC, was founded in 2001 as a hedge fund seeding company. After divesting of the hedge fund companies in its portfolio it re-established itself as a creator and licensor of investible beta hedge fund indexes. BRI also specializes in research focused on quantifying, analyzing and demystifying the risk and alpha in alternative strategies. BRI strives to be intellectually honest, transparent and focused on quality. BRI is committed to acting with equanimity and engaging in collaborative, open-minded relationships with our clients and our partners to create true value for all.
Please visit https://www.brindexsolutions.com for more information.
# # # *Client assets are as represented by Pensions and Investments (P&I), detailed in P&I’s “Largest Retirement Funds” and P&I’s “Largest Money Managers (U.S. institutional tax-exempt assets)” as of 9/30/15 and 12/31/15, and published 2/8/16 and 5/30/16, respectively).