New York. Asset International, Inc. (AI), a leading provider of data, information and marketing solutions to the global asset management industry, has acquired Intelligent Financial Systems (IFS), a London-based provider of financial market data research and trade execution quality analysis to banks, brokers, asset managers and trading venues.
IFS’s signature brand, LiquidMetrix, provides a suite of services that offers trading firms an independent assessment of trade execution quality, transaction cost analysis and pre-trade cost prediction across fragmented global securities markets. The product suite has been extended to include a surveillance service to detect market abuse and a counterparty profitability measure to identify toxic flow on the other side of a trade.
Sabine Toulson, Managing Director, Intelligent Financial Systems, commented, “The extensive client network and global presence of Asset International will enable us to extend our services and deliver our independent brand of trading cost analysis to a broad range of financial services clients across Europe, North America and Asia.”
LiquidMetrix will function as an independent unit of Asset International, complementing two of AI’s brands that each touch on issues of governance, regulation and compliance (GRC): Strategic Insight, whose research services have focused on compliance-related issues for nearly 20 years via Board engagements and research pieces, and The Trade, the undisputed market leader covering global electronic securities trading.
“GRC is a critical area for our customers in an increasingly regulated industry. The LiquidMetrix acquisition will enable us to better help them navigate these complicated regulatory challenges and initiatives.” said Jim Casella, Chairman and CEO of Asset International.
John Lee, Managing Director – Europe, Asset International, commented, “Through its partnership with Asset International, LiquidMetrix will preserve its status as a truly independent provider of transaction cost analysis while benefiting from our global platform and reach. This is significant because regulators and underlying asset owners globally are demanding independent non-conflicted assessment of the hidden costs of trading that can impact investment performance”.
Ms. Toulson and her team will continue to run LiquidMetrix in London in keeping with Asset International’s core acquisition strategy, which is to retain founders and their teams, evidenced by their previous seven transactions.

This acquisition follows financial backer Genstar’s ambitious plans to triple the size of Asset International over the next 3-5 years. Tony Salewski, Managing Director of Genstar, commented, “We expect significant growth in the TCA space driven by buy- side pressure for more improved trading performance and cost-transparency as well as increased regulation.”
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Asset International (AI) provides critical data, business intelligence, and information services to the global investment management industry. AI delivers proprietary data and analytics, as well as marketing solutions that target global asset managers. The Company’s client base includes over 500 of the most prominent names in the asset management industry. Its recognized data brands include Strategic Insight, Investor Economics, and Plan for Life. AI’s portfolio of marketing solutions includes brands such as PLANSPONSOR, PLANADVISER, Chief Investment Officer, Global Custodian, and The Trade. The company’s headquarters are New York and has offices in London, Stamford, CT, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Australia, Boston, Toronto and the San Francisco Bay Area. AI is backed by Genstar Capital. For more information, visit: www.assetinternational.com.
Genstar Capital is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high quality companies for more than 20 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of operating executives and strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry- leading businesses. Genstar manages funds with total capital commitments of over $3 billion and targets investments focused on selected sectors within the industrial technology, financial services, software, and healthcare industries.
John Lee
Asset International
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+44 (0) 207 397 3823
