Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS), the leading comprehensive, internet-based data research service, announces the addition of the Morningstar CISDM data to its data offerings. WRDS, a part of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, provides instant access to over 200 terabytes of data across Finance, Marketing, and Economic disciplines, making it the gold standard business intelligence tool for over 30,000 users in 32 countries.

The Morningstar CISDM Database allows for tracking of qualitative and quantitative information for more than 6,000 hedge funds, funds of funds and CTAs since 1994. In addition to the current funds, Morningstar CISDM includes a graveyard database of dead funds, providing robust information for over 13,000 inactive hedge funds. The addition of Morningstar CISDM is part of WRDS' continued growth and dedication to meeting the information needs of the financial services industry, including niche market clients worldwide.

"WRDS is pleased to be able to offer the Morningstar CISDM Database to our users," said Robert Zarazowski, Senior Director of WRDS. "Morningstar CISDM offers a highly respected resource for academic researchers in hedge fund and CTA industries. It's an important addition to WRDS' already extensive data offerings."

Serving a broad constituency, Morningstar CISDM users include academic researchers, investment managers, hedge funds, investment banks, private equity firms, traders, research analysts, consultants and advisors.

"CISDM is pleased to have its database available through WRDS, the premier platform for empirical, academic research. CISDM's mission is to promote research in the area of alternative investments and this partnership is an important step in making our database available to researchers and practitioners," said Hossein Kazemi, Director of CISDM.

From client-centered research support to analytics and consulting services, WRDS is the global gold standard in data management and research, all backed by the credibility and leadership of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

About WRDS and the Wharton School

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is the leading data research platform and business intelligence tool for over 30,000 corporate, academic, government and nonprofit clients in 32 countries. WRDS provides the user with one location to access over 200 terabytes of data across multiple disciplines including Finance, Marketing, and Economics. WRDS provides flexible data delivery options including a powerful web query method that reduces research time, and the WRDS Cloud for executing research and strategy development. Our Analytics team, doctoral-level support and rigorous data review and validation give clients the confidence to tailor research within complex databases and create a wide range of reliable data models including Portfolio Construction & Benchmarks, Event Studies, Returns and Market-to-Book Ratios and Momentum. Please contact WRDS for more information. www.whartonwrds.com

Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates ongoing economic and social value around the world. The School has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA and doctoral students; more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and a powerful alumni network of more than 92,000 graduates.

About CISDM

The Center for International Securities and Derivatives Markets (CISDM) seeks to enhance understanding of the field of alternative investments through research, education and networking opportunities for our member donors, industry professionals and academics. CISDM is an academic research center at the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst. The center was established by Professor Thomas Schneeweis in 1997 through generous support by Michael Philipp and Anshu Jain, both graduates of the Isenberg School. The center seeks to enhance the understanding of the field of alternative investments through research, education and networking opportunities for our member donors, industry professionals and academics.

The MAR Database was donated to CISDM by Garry Crowder, founder and managing director of Lyra Capital, LLC, one of the pioneers in the area of hedge fund related index and structured products. The Morningstar/CISDM Hedge Fund Database is partially based on the original MAR Database. The center produces CISDM Hedge Fund and CTA indices, which are freely available on its website.

Consistent with its mission to promote education among investment professionals, CISDM joined force with Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) in 2002 to establish Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association and the CAIA designation. CAIA is now a global association with more than 6000 members. Finally, CISDM is the editorial home of the Journal of Alternative Investments, an Institutional Investor publication, which is the premier academic/practitioner journal in the field of alternative investments.

For further information about the CISDM please visit our website http://www.isenberg.umass.edu/CISDM/.

Wharton Research Data Services
877-438-9737
wrds@wharton.upenn.edu
or
Morningstar CISDM
Patricia Bonnett, 413-577-3166
cisdm@isenberg.umass.edu