Standard & Poor’s named Kenneth Shea, managing director of its global equity research group, as chair of the firm’s investment policy committee.

The IPC is an internal team of senior economists, equity, fixed income and mutual fund analysts responsible for determining the firm’s analytical views on investment trends, with particular emphasis on US markets. Shea will also continue to serve as a managing director in charge of the global research group.

The committee continually monitors and assesses financial markets, determining on a weekly basis recommended asset allocations for investment. And, it regularly issues annual and mid-year forecasts for the S&P 500 and other major indices, and provides frequent guidance to Standard & Poor’s equity and fixed income analysts on the outlooks for specific economic and index sectors.

“Standard & Poor’s Investment Policy Committee is the collective voice of S&P’s most experienced market analysts. It is a voice of reason throughout all investment climates and economic events,” says executive managing director of equity research services at Standard & Poor’s Edward Emmer. “With his background in equity research, industry analysis, and experience in managing model S&P equity portfolios, Ken Shea will make the IPC and Standard & Poor’s an even better known, and trusted name in equity research, offering practical and action-oriented insights and assessments to our key audiences.”

Shea joined Standard & Poor’s in 1986, serving both as a general equity analyst and later as a senior industry analyst covering the food, beverage and tobacco industries. As managing director of S&P’s global equity research since 2001, he is responsible for the activities of more than 100 equity analysts globally.