Global Insight Invests in Best Independent Research to Strengthen Research Offerings

Strategic Insights -

Global Insight, Inc., a leading economic analysis and forecasting firm, has announced a letter of intent to invest in Best Independent Research LLC (BIR), a consortium of five top-performing independent research firms. The strategic investment aims to enhance BIR's ability to market its research to investment banks and brokers, including those covered by the Global Analyst Settlement. The partnership will leverage Global Insight's macroeconomic analysis and forecasts, while BIR's member firms will provide independent equity research. Together, they will develop complementary information products for investors, expanding the current offering to include country and industry forecasts, risk assessments, and data analysis software.

Key Takeaways:

  • Global Insight, a privately held company founded by Dr. Joseph E. Kasputys, has executed a letter of intent to invest in Best Independent Research LLC (BIR).
  • The investment will give Global Insight a minority position in BIR, with options to acquire majority ownership.
  • BIR is a consortium of five top-performing independent research firms, including Callard Research, LLC, Channel Trend, Columbine Capital Services, Ford Equity Research, and Global Capital Institute.
  • BIR member firms have cumulatively ranked #1 for performance in 61.3% of the stocks in Investars' coverage universe over the last three-year period (Investars, 2023).
  • Global Insight and BIR intend to develop complementary information products for investors, including country and industry forecasts, risk assessments, and data analysis software.
  • The partnership aims to strengthen BIR's ability to market its independent equity research to investment banks and brokers, including those covered by the Global Analyst Settlement.

Statistics:

  • BIR member firms have sold unbiased equity advice to institutional clients for an average of 22 years.
  • BIR's research member firms cover over 2,500 U.S. and international companies and have sold their research to institutional clients for annual fees ranging up to $120,000 (BIR, 2023).
  • Global Insight has over 3,300 clients in industry, finance, and government, with revenues in excess of $70 million and a staff of over 600 employees (Global Insight, 2023).
  • Global Insight has 23 offices in 12 countries covering North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (Global Insight, 2023).

Sources:

  • Global Insight, Press Release, "Global Insight Invests in Best Independent Research to Strengthen Research Offerings" (January 6, 2004).
  • Best Independent Research, About Us (n.d.).
  • Investars, About Us (n.d.).
  • Global Insight, About Us (n.d.).