Assirt rates Dimensional as strong

Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) has been rated as a strong manager with strong sectors, while its nine funds earned four stars in the latest review of the group from research houseAssirt.

Assirt described DFA as a “closely held private corporation” which splits ownership between the company founders and directors and key staff. This was viewed favourably by the research house, as was the fact the US based funds manager has moved away from being US centric to having a global presence. As a result, its business management was rated as strong.

However, DFA’s operating capabilities did not earn as good a rating from Assirt. DFA’s funds are concentrated in international equities rather than Australian equities, and until 1999, fund inflows were mainly mandates passed to the Australian subsidiary.

However, Assirt notes that more recently, funds are becoming locally sourced. Net fund inflows in Australia have greatly increased in 2002 via the master trust and wrap market, Assirt says. DFA was branded as competent in this area.

DFA’s sector rating was also assessed overall as strong. Five sectors were reviewed, all of which were rated as strong. One sector, fixed interest, was upgraded from competent to strong by the research house.

DFA provides three different styles of Australian equity products: Australian value, Australian large company, Australian small company. The international portfolios include global value, global large cap, global small cap and emerging markets. All funds were awarded four stars, out of a possible five.