HONG KONG, March16, 2015—Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, has deepened its presence in Hong Kongand expanded its equity research offering in the Asia-Pacific region with the appointment of Dan Baker as team lead oftheHong Kong-based equity analyst team.

In addition to leading the analyst team, Bakercovers Asian telecommunications and technology companies. Before joining Morningstar inMay 2014, hewasan equity analyst with Merrill Lynch and Mirae Asset Securities. Baker also worked in equity sales at RBS and as an engineer for Ericsson. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Melbourne and a diploma of applied finance and investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

“We see a number of emerging trends, as Asian investors are gradually shifting toward more diversification, an increasingly global investment mix, and stronger preferences for equity investments. Many publicly traded companies are considering secondary listings on Asian exchanges,and the recent inception of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program should serve as a meaningful catalyst,” Michael Holt, Morningstar’s global head of equity research, said.“Among the backdrop of these changes, Dan's appointment strengthens our commitment to investors in the Asia-Pacific region, where equity research and data can help them make more informed investment decisions.We’ve strengthened our capabilities to better serve investors both in Asia and globally. Our analysts have deepknowledge of the regional companies we cover and offer timely and comprehensive analysis based on our robust global methodology.”

Members of Baker’s Hong Kong-based teaminclude Michael Wu, CAIA, senior equity analyst; Phillip Zhong, senior equity analyst; and Chelsey Tam, equity analyst.All are licensed representatives of Morningstar Investment Management Asia Limitedto advise on securities.The team reports to Joel Bloomer, who leads Morningstar’s Asia-Pacific equity research and is based in Sydney.

With approximately 100 equity analysts globally who cover nearly 1,500 stocks, including approximately 350 stocks in the Asia-Pacific region, Morningstar is one of the world’s largest independent sources for equity research.
 

Morningstar’s equity analysts publish institutional-quality company reports, analyst notes, pick lists, and industry and sector research, along with proprietary, qualitative ratings including the Morningstar Rating™ for stocks, Morningstar® Economic Moat™ Rating, and Fair Value Estimate. Morningstar equity analysts also publish the Observer series of in-depth sector research reports.

Morningstar launched its equity research coverage in 1998 and began offering equity research to Australian investors with its 2006 acquisitionof Aspect Huntley Pty Limited, an Australian provider of equity information, research, and financial trade publishing. The company expanded its equity research offering in Europe with the appointment of an Amsterdam-based equity analyst team in 2014.

A list of the current Asia-Pacific companies under Morningstar’s coverage is available athttp://global.morningstar.com/AsiaPacificEquitiesMarch2015.Morningstar’s equity research is available in several countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region in Morningstar Direct^SM, the company’s global investment analysis platform for institutional investors.More information about Morningstar’s equity research services is available at http://corporate.morningstar.com/us/asp/subject.aspx?xmlfile=32.xml.

About Morningstar Investment Management Asia Limited and Morningstar, Inc.
Morningstar Investment Management Asia Limited is authorized and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to provide investment research, non-discretionary investment consulting services and discretionary investment management services to professional investors only. Morningstar Investment Management Asia leverages the global expertise and methodologies of its ultimate parent, Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. Morningstar provides data on approximately 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 14 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries and had approximately U.S.$170 billion in assets under advisement and management as of Dec. 31, 2014. The company has operations in 27 countries.

Morningstar expanded to Asia in April 2000 and has grown its businesses into Japan, Korea, India, mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The Asia operations not only offer timely information on mutual funds, but also insightful and independent analyses, unbiased fund ratings, and sophisticated analytical tools to help both individual and professional investors make better investment decisions.

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