Methodology & Independence
A documented due diligence framework with a clear separation between research judgment and commercial relationships.
WS Partners provides investment research and consulting services for professional users in Switzerland. The methodology is designed to support fund-selection documentation and decision processes: it brings investment evidence, operational evidence, selection status and monitoring points into a reviewable record. It also defines how commercial relationships are kept apart from merit-based research conclusions.
Two due diligence lenses
Investment due diligence (IDD) examines the strategy, team, investment process, portfolio, risk drivers and performance context. It asks how the investment approach is intended to work, what is present in the portfolio, which risks matter and which observations require monitoring.
Operational due diligence (ODD) examines operational risks, controls, counterparties and governance. The operational review provides a separate view of how the fund is organised and controlled rather than assuming that an investment case is sufficient on its own.
The two lenses are combined in the research record. Their relative emphasis depends on the decision being supported, but neither is silently replaced by a marketing description or a single performance measure.
Selection statuses and monitoring
- Selected: the fund meets the current criteria for the defined research scope.
- Watchlist: the fund merits monitoring or has open points that prevent an unqualified selection conclusion.
- Not selected: the fund does not meet the current criteria or sits outside the defined scope.
A status is a documented conclusion at a point in the process, not a permanent label. Monitoring notes preserve relevant changes, unresolved questions and the reasons a status may need to be reviewed.
The framework is used across WSP’s six verticals: Long Only, Real Assets, ETFs, Active ETFs, Private Markets and Alternatives. The full list publishes the current Long Only selection.
Church & State independence
WS Partners operates a dual-engine model serving wealth managers and asset managers, with an explicit Church & State separation. Merit-based fund selection and research conclusions belong to the research process and are governed by the evidence alone. Commercial relationships are managed separately and cannot buy selection, change a due diligence finding or determine whether a fund is Selected, on the Watchlist or Not selected.
The selection rationale is documented, and conflicts are identified, disclosed and managed. Wealth managers can review the available research and advisory services on Solutions.
For professional use
These outputs support professional documentation and decision processes. They do not constitute an offer or solicitation, and implementation decisions remain with the client. Access and use are intended for qualified investors and professional users in Switzerland.