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NEW YORK — October 23, 2026
Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) announced today that The BEAT, MSIM's quarterly asset allocation thought leadership program, and Parametric Portfolio Associates Institutional Client Service have been recognized at the 2026 Asset Management STAR Awards North America. Parametric, a part of MSIM, is a leader in custom solutions that help investors efficiently access market exposure, solve implementation challenges and design multi-asset portfolios.
FT Live presented this year's awards in partnership with the Investment Management Education Alliance and in collaboration with FundFire and Ignites, marking the program's 30th anniversary. The Asset Management STAR Awards recognize companies that stand out among peers for their innovation in communications, product development, client service and education. This year's competition drew more than 320 entries from over 125 firms. A panel of 33 industry peers judged the entries on clarity of mission, vision and business impact.
The BEAT was recognized in the Thought Leadership: Asset Allocation category. The BEAT (Bonds, Equities, Alternatives and Transition) turns complex macroeconomic and market developments into timely, evidence-based portfolio guidance for financial advisers. It offers a consistent framework with clear positioning signals, rationale and implementation support across asset classes, spelling out "what we think, why we think it and what to do about it." The BEAT aims to build adviser confidence and improve client conversations about portfolio construction.
“The BEAT is designed to translate complex and rapidly evolving capital markets into timely, actionable insights for financial advisors,” said Brian Smith, Head of the Wealth Education Center at MSIM. “Our goal is to help advisors understand what today’s market dynamics may mean for client portfolios and translate those insights into actionable asset allocation ideas that can inform investment decisions and client conversations.”
Parametric earned top honors for the Institutional Client Service Excellence category: Parametric's Institutional Client Service model is built on a simple principle: exceptional investment outcomes begin with exceptional client relationships. The objective is to provide institutional clients with a consistent, high-touch experience that goes beyond traditional account servicing. Parametric seeks to act as an extension of clients' teams by understanding their unique objectives, anticipating needs, facilitating operational efficiency, and delivering timely access to expertise across investment, overlay and implementation solutions.
“Our clients are at the center of everything we do at Parametric,” said Tom Lee, CIO and Co-President of Parametric. “Working with clients to understand their specific objectives and the challenges they face allows us to deliver a highly personalized experience that sets them up for success.”
These honors reflect the expertise, innovation and client focus that drive MSIM's business forward. The full list of 2026 winners are available on Ignites.com.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management
Morgan Stanley Investment Management, together with its investment advisory affiliates, has more than 1,300 investment professionals around the world and $2.1 trillion in assets under management or supervision as of September 30, 2026. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service, and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide. For further information about Morgan Stanley Investment Management, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im
About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com
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