Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is described that facilitates planning regarding financial goals, such as retirement. According to one embodiment, a method of forecasting a future value of a financial product holding is provided. Exposure analysis is performed on a financial product in which an investor holds an interest to determine how the financial product behaves relative to a set of asset classes. A forecast is generated for the financial product holding at a configurable time horizon based on forward-looking scenarios of one or more asset classes of the set of asset classes. Based on the forecast, information is directly or indirectly caused to be presented regarding a projected value of the financial product holding at the configurable time horizon.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.

Abstract: A financial advisory system and a user interface for such a system are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding a retirement income goal of an individual is received. Multiple input values for corresponding decision variables are also received. The decision variables include an indication regarding a target retirement age for the individual, an indication regarding anticipated monetary contributions directed toward the retirement income goal and an indication regarding the individual's risk tolerance. A probability distribution dependent upon the decision variables is generated based on simulated market return scenarios and representing a set of possible future portfolio values based on the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is described that facilitates planning regarding financial goals, such as retirement. According to one embodiment, a method of forecasting a future value of a financial product holding is provided. Exposure analysis is performed on a financial product in which an investor holds an interest to determine how the financial product behaves relative to a set of asset classes. A forecast is generated for the financial product holding at a configurable time horizon based on forward-looking scenarios of one or more asset classes of the set of asset classes. Based on the forecast, information is directly or indirectly caused to be presented regarding a projected value of the financial product holding at the configurable time horizon.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.

Abstract: A financial advisory system and a user interface for such a system are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding a retirement income goal of an individual is received. Multiple input values for corresponding decision variables are also received. The decision variables include an indication regarding a target retirement age for the individual, an indication regarding anticipated monetary contributions directed toward the retirement income goal and an indication regarding the individual's risk tolerance. A probability distribution dependent upon the decision variables is generated based on simulated market return scenarios and representing a set of possible future portfolio values based on the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a set of one or more input objects and a set of output values are displayed. The input objects include an indication of a target retirement age, an indication of a target level of investment risk, and an indication of a retirement income goal. The output values include an indication of the probability of achieving the retirement income goal and an indication of the most likely retirement income in current dollars. After updated values for the input decisions are received via one or more of the input objects, one or more new output values are determined based upon the updated input decisions. The set of output values is then refreshed to reflect the one or more new output values.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a set of one or more input objects and a set of output values are displayed. The input objects include an indication of a target retirement age, an indication of a target level of investment risk, and an indication of a retirement income goal. The output values include an indication of the probability of achieving the retirement income goal and an indication of the most likely retirement income in current dollars. After updated values for the input decisions are received via one or more of the input objects, one or more new output values are determined based upon the updated input decisions. The set of output values is then refreshed to reflect the one or more new output values.

Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.

Abstract: A user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user may interactively explore how changes in one or more input decisions such as a risk tolerance, a savings level, and a retirement age affect one or more output values such as a probability of achieving a financial goal or an indication of short-term risk. A first and second visual indication are concurrently displayed. The first visual indication includes input mechanisms, such as slider bars, for receiving the input decisions. The second visual indication includes a set of output values that are based upon the input decisions and a recommended set of financial products. After updated values for the input decisions are received via the input mechanisms, a new recommended set of financial products and a new set of output values may be determined based upon the updated values. The second visual indication may then be updated to reflect the new set of output values.

Abstract: A user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user may interactively explore how changes in one or more input decisions such as a risk tolerance, a savings level, and a retirement age affect one or more output values such as a probability of achieving a financial goal or an indication of short-term risk. A first and second visual indication are concurrently displayed. The first visual indication includes input mechanisms, such as slider bars, for receiving the input decisions. The second visual indication includes a set of output values that are based upon the input decisions and a recommended set of financial products. After updated values for the input decisions are received via the input mechanisms, a new recommended set of financial products and a new set of output values may be determined based upon the updated values. The second visual indication may then be updated to reflect the new set of output values.