Aberdeen Asset Management selects Markit to value hard to price assets

Markit (Nasdaq: MRKT), a leading global provider of financial information services, today announced that Aberdeen Asset Management has selected Markit to value hard to price assets for positions with limited market data. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC is a global investment management group, managing assets for institutional and retail clients from offices around the world.

Carolyn Baker, global head of data management at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “Markit’s service enables us to value hard to price assets which are held in a number of our portfolios. Outsourcing this function brings independence and operational efficiencies to an area which requires specialist skills. We are impressed with the quality of service Markit offers and are convinced that this helps us to deliver a best in class solution to our clients.”

Kevin O’Connor, head of private equity services at Markit, said: “The increasing scrutiny on hard to price positions from auditors and regulators places a significant burden on asset managers, one which is expected to grow over time. To help address this challenge, Markit offers an independent valuation service which provides transparent reporting when clients need it.” Markit’s hard to price valuation service provides valuations for seldom traded assets, private placement debt and unlisted equity positions.

The service differentiates itself through the use of quality data and proprietary methodologies. It is designed to satisfy the post-trade statutory and policy requirements of investors, regulators, and auditors for independent calculation of asset values.