The quality of the relationship between corporations and asset managers is paramount for the long-term success of publicly-traded companies, and the investment success of the managers.

This two-way street relies on extensive knowledge and transparency so investors can deliver investment performance, and a familiar group of names is getting it right, according to Extel’s annual survey.

Fidelity, T Rowe Price and Wellington are again recognized in the Top 3 of Extel’s fourth annual ranking of asset managers by investor relations officers at US publicly traded companies.

Two hundred and seventeen investor relations officers at publicly traded companies were asked which asset managers were their best buy side relationships. With more than 335 buy-side firms nominated, an overall Leaderboard of 20 Overall Leaders has been produced along with category level results.

Once again Fidelity Management & Research ranked No.1 in the ranking of America’s top asset management firms. Alongside the Top 3, the Overall Top 10 Leaderboard includes BlackRock Investment Management, Capital Group, Columbia Threadneedle, Citadel Global Equities, JP Morgan Investment Management, Millennium Management and Neuberger Berman, who were collectively recognized for their corporate engagement best practices.

While the long arm of technologies like AI are transforming global markets and poised to reshape future corporate engagement strategies, top firms like T. Rowe Price report that the importance of fundamental research and experienced people is unwavering.

“In a world where global markets are evolving rapidly and technology is reshaping how we analyze information, one constant remains, the importance of rigorous fundamental research,” said Sarah Regan, Head of Global Corporate & External Research Relations, T. Rowe Price. “Our tenured investment teams deeply understand their portfolio companies and the people who run them. While AI will transform many aspects of the investment process, relationships will be the laggard in disruption — and cultivating strong corporate engagement will continue to differentiate our insights. This is the essence of active management and the value we bring to clients.”

This year’s buy-side rankings are based on Extel’s U.S. corporate investor relations officers’ input collected in the Corporate Insights survey (CIV) during the summer.

This survey asked investor relation officers to identify the top three asset management firms for the following attributes: transparency on their investment approach; knowledge of your sector; best active engagement to support and encourage long-term business; efficient engagement across funds and ongoing feedback.

As in past years, results were aggregated to produce overall and category level results.