Morningstar has expanded the parameters of its Advisor Workstation to include ETFs, Geoff Balzano, product manager for the workstation, told the MutualFundWire.com. The inclusion of ETFs is just one of many additions the firm is planning for the service.

"We incorporated the ETF data into the workstation and expanded the research universe. For instance, advisors can use the goal planner module to help clients determine the probability of meeting their goals with their ETF investments. We did not specifically create new modules for the ETFs," Balzano reported.

"We had been getting a lot of feedback from advisors that ETFs were becoming more and more important in their universe and that they needed features on the workstation that handled them. We had been considering adding ETFs ourselves, and so it was a meeting of the minds," he added.

So, what is the next step for workstation? "We are looking to incorporate wrap account data as well," the executive contended. "Our Principia product already has separate account feature, and we are looking to bring that research to workstation next," the executive contended.  

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