Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) announced today that its Wealth Strategies Group has introduced Tax Optimized Portfolio Solutions (TOPS), a tool that brings together a broad suite of tax management solutions from MSIM, Eaton Vance and Parametric Portfolio Associates (Parametric) to meet individual client needs and drive personalized outcomes. Anchored by the expertise and experience of the Wealth Strategies Group, TOPS addresses complex portfolio challenges including managing volatility, enhancing total return, generating income or planning a legacy as well as understanding investment tax implications, in an integrated, highly customized way. “The power of TOPS is bringing together various component pieces and enhancing their individual value by combining them in highly customized ways,” said Brian Smith, Co-Head of the Wealth Strategies Group. “Our team uses the TOPS tool to analyze client-specific financial attributes and develop tailored solution sets to align results with complex financial planning, providing better tax outcomes and adding value to advisor client relationships.” TOPS interprets the features of a broad range of tax management solutions pioneered by Eaton Vance and Parametric and helps advisors better allocate client assets to maximize tax efficiency, generate alpha and income, address complex portfolio concerns and align investments with client priorities. This includes leveraging Parametric’s industry-leading direct indexing, long/short extension, custom option overlay programs and tax optimized ladders as well as solutions to effectively diversify concentrated stock positions and specialized tax-advantaged charitable giving vehicles. “Each individual’s and family’s set of circumstances require in depth knowledge of their situation, preferences and risk tolerance, and must accommodate a broad range of specifications,” said Matt Witkos, Head of North America Intermediary Sales. “TOPS allows our Wealth Strategies Group to identify the most relevant solutions that deliver greater value when combined in a highly customized, results-oriented way, and to provide a continuous glidepath as markets and investor preferences change.” Commenting on the role TOPS plays with advisors he said, “TOPS is a tool that combined with our expertise, positions advisors to be their clients’ trusted advocate and allows them to generate efficient, customized portfolios.” Combined with Eaton Vance’s decades-long focus on tax efficient investing, Parametric’s innovative approach to customization and efficiency establishes a foundation for the TOPS tool that helps position it as the industry-leading, holistic investment tax investment planning strategy for advisors and their clients.