UBS has purchased a minority stake in research advisory firm Governance Metrics International, providing the Swiss investment bank with access to GMI's proprietary content and database.
GMI specialises in assessing corporate governance across more than 4200 companies. Access to its database will enable the bank's analysts to factor governance ratings into their stock research.
UBS says it will also work with GMI to expand its customer base and on product development and research ideas.
Other minority investors in GMI include State Street Global Alliance, Dutch pension fund ABP, and private equity outfit Inter-Atlantic Group.
Mark Steinert, global head, equity research, UBS, says: "UBS is always looking for ways to offer our clients access to the most sophisticated and relevant investment information and analytical tools. Now more than ever before, assessing a company's relative governance characteristics is critical to investment analysis."
Julie Hudson, global head, socially responsible investing and sustainability research, UBS, adds: "We believe standards of analysis and due diligence with respect to governance will become increasingly stringent throughout the investment advisory sector. GMI's research capabilities address an immediate need in the market, and we are excited to offer their product to our clients."
In March UBS purchased a minority stake in another research advisory firm, Integrity Research Associates.