The FundApps framework for aggregating positions across multiple portfolios/accounts has roots in two elements which are specified at an individual rule basis: an aggregation structure and an aggregation level. This means that a rule's Value Expressions are summed up differently depending on the aggregation structure and level required by the rule. This article describes these two attributes and how FundApps uses them.

The first attribute in the hot seat is the aggregation structure. The basic FundApps framework works with three different aggregation structures:

The naming and meaning of these three structures have been chosen based on our interpretation of the legal memos provided by aosphere. Each rule in FundApps is labelled with one of the three aggregation types, defining which aggregation structure the rule will run on.

In this example, the MajorAR rule runs on the Legal aggregation structure. But how are these different types of structures defined, and what do they actually mean?

Each structure refers to a parent entity of a portfolio in the three different scenarios described above, meaning that the Legal, Management, and Voting parent entity should be specified for each account monitored by FundApps. The three structures are defined as:

Note: There is also the aggregation structure "None", which will capture all portfolios regardless of the structure and does not require setup. In addition to the above structures, we have two more aggregation structures relating to EU Short Selling Regulation (SSR) rules. Please refer to this article for more details.

If the voting authority associated with a specific portfolio managed on behalf of a client remains in that client's control, the VotingParentID should be left blank (not specified) for that portfolio.

The three structures can be viewed on the portfolio page:

The three structures have been defined based on what the different regulators are interested in. For example, some regulators are only interested in securities where the investor actually holds the voting authority over the securities. FundApps captures this in the Voting structure. Similar considerations have been incorporated into the Management and Legal structures.

The second element that defines the FundApps aggregation framework is the aggregation level. FundApps works with a total of four possible aggregation levels, which again have their roots in the legal memos provided by aosphere. The aggregation level defines wherein the aggregation structure of the rule will potentially trigger disclosures.

The screenshot above shows wherein a given rule a disclosure might potentially be triggered, i.e. on Portfolio, Sub-Entity, or Top Level Company level. Further, some rules will potentially trigger disclosures on a combination of these. The four aggregation levels will trigger as follows:

No portfolios will be aggregated, meaning that the given rule will trigger disclosures on the individual portfolio/fund level.

If a portfolio has an Umbrella as its Parent in any aggregation structure, the given rule will run on the Umbrella instead of the Portfolio. For more information on Umbrellas and how FundApps treats them, please read the article "Umbrella Level Disclosures."

The rule will aggregate all portfolios up to a specific Sub-Entity and trigger a disclosure based on all the assets of the Sub-Entity child portfolios. Further, should there be a Top Level Company being to ultimate the parent, the rule will also trigger a disclosure based on the aggregate holdings across all portfolios.

This level will trigger disclosures on both Sub-Entities and the Top-Level Company, but in contrast to the "All Entities" level, a disclosure on each individual portfolio is possible here as well. So, this is a combination of "Portfolio" and "All Entities."

This level will only trigger one disclosure, which will be an aggregation across all portfolios in the given aggregation structure (i.e. a disclosure will only trigger on the ultimate parent of the structure).

This level checks for disclosures at the Top Level as described above, and also at each individual portfolio level.

In conclusion, each rule has an aggregation structure and an aggregation level attached to it, specifying on which tree the rule will run and wherein the tree any disclosures will trigger.

The legislation around aggregation is some of the most complex within the aosphere memorandums. We welcome any questions or comments you might have. Please contact FundApps Support, and we will be happy to assist.

Discretionary management authority: holding the right to make investment (buy/sell) decisions for securities directly (and not having delegated this right). This can be obtained contractually by being a Discretionary Manager (see definition), or can be held due to being a Legal Owner (see definition) of securities, and not delegating the discretion.

Discretionary Manager: a person or entity which has contracted to make investment (buy/sell) decisions for another party (client, fund, etc.), including if that entity has delegated such authority. This is often contractually formalised in an “investment management agreement” (IMA). In such cases, formal legal ownership of assets usually rests with a custodian/nominee, the underlying client or beneficial owners of the assets.

Also called discretionary investment manager, investment adviser (in the U.S.), discretionary asset manager, asset manager, or wealth manager. (Ref: Investopedia)

Discretionary voting authority: holding the right to vote (or proxy vote) for securities/shares. This may be obtained along with being a Discretionary Manager contractually (see definition) but may not be. This authority can be held due to being a Legal Owner (see definition) of securities (and not delegating the voting authority) or by other contractual means (i.e. proxy voting discretion).

Note: The pure operational capability to vote can be distinct from the authority to decide how to vote, and the former doesn’t necessarily imply the latter.

Fund-entity: a legal entity that is part of an investment fund. A fund-entity can have its own legal personality or not.

A fund-entity with legal personality can act as a separate legal person from its investors and managers, such as an investment company, a UCITS SICAV, or a segregated portfolio company.

A fund-entity without legal personality is one without certain legal rights and duties such as a limited partnership (LP) or a unit trust.

Different types of fund-entities include mutual funds, investment funds, collective investment schemes, registered investment companies, partnerships, segregated portfolio companies, and series trusts.

Legal Owner: a person or Non-fund entity (see definition) who directly either holds legal title (e.g. is the registered shareholder) or ultimate beneficial ownership (benefits from the economic proceeds) of securities. Excludes holding legal title in name only or purely as nominee/custodian. Excludes entities which are only controlling/holding companies and do not hold securities.

Note: Discretionary managers do not normally hold legal title over assets they manage, unless they also manage proprietary assets.

Non-fund entity: any entity which is not a Fund-Entity (see definition).

Note: pension funds and UCITS Management Companies are considered a Non-fund entity.