What's New for the Expert

Mutual Fund Expert New Features

Here we list new Features and Updates that have been added to Steele Expert.
Also listed are handy techniques that might help you speed up your work.

NEW: User interface improvements

► The Copy command (Ctrl-C) will now copy the current cell in Database view, if no records are tagged. If there are tagged records, they will be copied instead. To paste in another application such as Excel, use the Paste command (Ctrl-V).

► All color settings for all graphs, reports, tables and the user interface can now use any of the millions of colors available under Windows for full creative control in customizing graphs and reports.

► Changed the quick "Find" function to be able to easily search the most commonly searched columns in Database views such as Name, Symbol, etc.

► Changed the full "Find" function to also display a search column drop-down list for more intuitive and flexible searches. It is accessible by pressing Ctrl-F or clicking on the magnifying glass button in the middle of the toolbar.

► The Variable Annuities database now includes a view sorted by Company/Product/Fund to facilitate finding sub accounts.

► Added new toolbar buttons to quickly switch among Report viewing modes: Page Width, Full Page, and 100%.
► Added the capability to use half font sizes, e.g., 8.5 instead of just 8, 9, 10, etc. and improved the font selection dialog boxes.
► Added message that the program will not run under Windows 95/98/Me/NT: The program needs Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.
► New softer colors used as defaults in the application and added for use in program settings, graphs and reports.

To be able to see all the new color scheme changes, you should create a new Notebook, which will automatically contain all new objects and settings, and then copy your own reports into it. When we make improvements and additions to the standard reports, graphs and settings, this is the method to take advantage of them. See "Copying a Page or a Folder" in the Steele Expert program Help (Menu/Help/New Features).
Create and e-mail PDF files of Steele Expert reports and graphs: Click here.
Original data for Steele Expert databases now provided by Morningstar, Inc.

With the 6/30/07 databases, original base data is now provided by Morningstar, Inc., the leading source of investment data, as a result of its recent acquisition of Standard & Poor's mutual fund data business in the U.S. and internationally. The following improvements have been implemented:

- New Investment Objectives, Category and Benchmarks from Morningstar, Inc. for all mutual funds: New Investment Objectives and Categories which incorporate the management style of each fund as dynamically determined by Morningstar. This addition enables users to zero in and analyze exactly the group of funds they are interested in based on an additional layer of management direction information. Also included is the Average for each Objective and Category for comparisons.

As the new Objective and Category columns have different contents from previous versions, existing users will have to examine the new objectives and categories for the funds they are interested in and refresh their evaluations. Because of this difference, any filtering condition in a filter created with a database prior to June 30, 2007 may not behave as expected and should be edited so the user can select a new Objective or Category.

Several of the reports have been updated to reflect these changes. To be able to access all the new reports and graphs, you should create a new Notebook, which will automatically contain all new objects, and then copy your own reports into it. Then, you can also modify your own reports to include the new changes. When we make improvements and additions to the standard reports and graphs, this is the method to take advantage of them. See "Copying a Page or a Folder" in the Steele Expert program Help (Menu/Help/New Features).

- New Indices: There is now a new, more extensive set of indices for use as benchmarks for comparisons. “TR” indicates that an index is “Total Return” and includes the reinvestment of dividends, while “PR” indicates that it is only a price index and excludes the reinvestment of dividends.

- Improved fund names: More descriptive, longer fund names make finding funds easier.

- Manager Years: The manager tenure is now also expressed in years for easier filtering.

- Broad Asset Category & Geographic Area columns have now been added to facilitate grouping, filtering and comparing funds.

- Improved Portfolio breakdown now addresses domestic versus foreign asset allocations.

- A.M. Best Ratings are now included in the Variable Annuities database for rating the financial strength of insurance companies.

- Thousands more Variable Annuity sub accounts.

A convenient way to view the definition of a column (e.g., Star Rating), while you are in the “Database” view is to click in any cell of the particular column you are interested in (to make it the current column) then press the “F1” key or click on the question mark icon on the toolbar. This will pop up the definition of that column from the Help system.
The Frequently Asked Questions area has been renovated
We have added the answers to many more of your most commonly asked questions (FAQs). Even veteran users of Steele software have reportedly learned new things by reviewing this updated section.
Web addresses of mutual funds
Link to the Web site of almost any fund with a single click. There (in many cases) you can get additional and very detailed information from the funds themselves, application forms to open regular and IRA accounts, and other services. Steele Mutual Fund Expert includes a comprehensive database of the Web sites of most funds.

Filters Drop-down list
Filter the database instantly with a new, convenient drop-down list containing all filters (built-in as well as user-defined), tagged-fund pools, and portfolios.

Data on the fly
See the underlying data on any graph data point by simply placing the mouse pointer on it. Works on both standalone graphs and graphs on reports.

Direct connection to our Internet site
Accessible under the Help menu for downloading data and program updates, news, customer and technical support, and, of course, getting your feedback.

Individual Graph Color Settings
You can customize each individual graph’s colors and patterns by overriding the global settings. You can take advantage of both black & white LaserJets and color InkJets at the same time.

Column Auto-sizing
To auto-size a database view column to the length of the longest text it contains double-click on its right border.

Logarithmic graphs

Resizing the Page List
To get more screen real estate and view better your reports you may toggle the Page List on/off with the Show/Hide Page List button on the tool bar.

Copy Pages using the Control key
You can make a copy of a page inside a Notebook by holding the Ctrl key down and dragging the page to a different location in the Page List.

The Category Ranking column
You can get a quick look at the last 5-year overall performance consistency of a fund relatively to its investment category group with the Category Ranking graph column.

Copy and Paste Unlimited Data, Graphs and Reports into other programs
You can copy your favorite graphs and reports from the Expert into your spreadsheet or word processor. Simply choose Edit…Copy, then switch to the other application and choose Edit…Paste Special. Choose the Enhanced Metafile format and select OK.

Use the Notes Column
Make notes on the mutual funds that you are following, even create your own ranking system.

Add Images to your reports (like your company logo)
You can put a logo or other bit map on a Full-Page report. Just enter Design Mode, then select Pages / Insert Object / Image and choose a bit map file. The Expert will scale the bit map to fit in the rectangle. Only BMP files are supported (these are the files created by the Paint program in Windows).

Use filters with the "Winners" Wizard
The "Winners" Wizard dialog box now enables you to specify a filter at the same time. Use this feature to find, for example, all the top funds that are also no-load.

Run Filters Automatically
You can execute filters automatically each time you open a notebook by clicking on "auto run" in the Filter dialog box.