S&P to raise charges for fund ratings

Standard & Poor's Fund Research is increasing its charges for rating funds. Some in the industry are questioning whether there is a conflict of interest in a system that levies its charges to fund management groups based on the number of funds it assesses. During 2000, 900 funds in the UK sector will be eligible for ratings, up from 750 in 1999. The additions account for the inclusion of ratings on the UK index trackers and a dedicated high yield review. Christopher Butterwick, UK sales director at Standard & Poor's Fund Research, said fund management groups have this year been charged a...