Summary
Custom portfolios can be built in the Analytics tab of Timeline Portfolios.
Users can add funds manually, via Excel, or import from FE Analytics.
The start date of the portfolio must match the youngest fund to ensure accurate performance analysis.
Once saved, portfolios appear under the ‘Custom’ selection option in the analytics tool.
Introduction
Timeline allows financial professionals to go beyond standard model portfolios by creating custom portfolios tailored to client needs, risk profiles, and investment philosophies. Whether you're testing asset allocations, replicating an external strategy, or showcasing a bespoke investment mix, the Custom Portfolio tool gives you full flexibility and control.
Everything you need to get started with building portfolios in Timeline is right here. This guide walks you through the entire process—from adding funds and setting weightings, to selecting the right start date—so you can analyse performance with confidence and precision.
Description
Timeline offers advisers the ability to build bespoke investment portfolios. This feature is ideal for comparing tailored fund combinations against our pre-built model portfolios. The process is intuitive but requires attention to detail, particularly around fund weightings and the start date.
1. Access the Analytics tab:
To begin, navigate to the Analytics tab, and click "Custom Portfolios."
Once clicked into this tab, click on ‘Create Custom Portfolio’ on the bottom right.
This section is also where your existing, prebuilt custom portfolios will be stored should you wish to edit them.
2. Naming & Start Date:
You’ll then be prompted to enter a portfolio name and set the start date.
⚠️ The start date must match the date of the youngest fund in the portfolio. This ensures valid historical performance analysis in the system.
3. Adding Funds (3 Methods):
You have three flexible ways to add funds:
Copy & Paste from Excel:
Column A: ISIN code
Column B: Weighting (e.g., 0.5 for 50%)
Import from FE Analytics:
Requires FE Analytics license
Follow prompts after clicking “Import from FE Analytics”
Add New Fund Manually:
Search by name, ISIN, or CITI code:
Once you’ve selected the fund, add in the % weighting and select ‘add fund’ to continue the process
After adding all desired funds and weightings, click "Save and Continue."
4. Setting the Start Date:
Once you’ve added in all your funds and selected ‘save and continue’, you’ll see the list of funds you’ve added:
Next, you’ll need to make sure the start date of the portfolio is the date of the youngest fund, highlighted above in Blue. Therefore, the date of this portfolio, 01/05/2003, needs to be added as shown below before clicking on ‘Save Changes’ on the bottom left.
Once that’s been completed, and you click on ‘save changes’ on the bottom left, you’ll see this message appear in the top right corner.
And the following message in the bottom left corner:
Please allow for this to run. Once completed and the portfolio is saved, the portfolio will appear within the ‘Custom’ select option under the Analytics tab.
Conclusion
Building custom portfolios in Timeline Portfolios is a powerful way to model tailored investment strategies and compare them against different models. Just remember to align your start date with the youngest fund and enter weightings accurately. Once saved, your custom portfolio will be available for selection and analysis under the “Custom” filter.