OUR INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
Investments are a critical piece of the financial puzzle even while many people feel challenged in this area. Unfortunately, the level of complexity offered by the financial services industry often exceeds the actual benefit. If you're wondering about your own portfolio, we're happy to provide a second opinion.
Here are the principles we adhere to:
Investments are a critical piece of the financial puzzle even while many people feel challenged in this area. Unfortunately, the level of complexity offered by the financial services industry often exceeds the actual benefit. If you're wondering about your own portfolio, we're happy to provide a second opinion.
Here are the principles we adhere to:
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Guiding Principles
Markets Work. On any given day, global markets may appear chaotic and imperfect but, in the aggregate, they work. Markets are exchanges. They reward those who have faith that human creativity and enterprise will endure. Humans need both shelter and food so we not only work, we imagine, create, and produce. To capture the value and growth generated in the market, you need to be there when it happens. This takes staying power.
Trying to Beat the Market Doesn’t Work. Gaming the system – trying to predict winners and losers (stock picking), or reacting to to the latest trend (market timing) is ineffective and costly, likely to cause more harm than good. It's often referred to as "active investing." Those in the know call it gambling. Risk and Return are Inextricably Related. If you want to preserve what you’ve got, take less risk. With less risk, there is less return. If your goal is to accumulate more wealth over time, you may need to assume more risk. We believe the primary role of fixed income (or bonds) is to preserve what you have while you take more risk (where you’re paid for that risk) on the stock or equity side. There is no free lunch. |
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Structure Determines Performance. Studies show overwhelmingly that investment returns hinge most critically on your asset allocation decision and then too, the discipline you bring to bear in implementing -- and staying true to -- that allocation. Investing in a mix of broad asset classes with a tilt toward higher-risk but lower-correlating assets helps reduce volatility and increase your expected return. The plan -- and the discipline -- are half or more of the battle.
Diversification is Key. Without any risk, there is little reward. Still it can be daunting when risk appears. Diversifying your wealth across a variety of markets helps smooth the ride -- so you can stay the course even when markets start to look (and you feel) skittish. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Diversification is Key. Without any risk, there is little reward. Still it can be daunting when risk appears. Diversifying your wealth across a variety of markets helps smooth the ride -- so you can stay the course even when markets start to look (and you feel) skittish. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Costs and Taxes Matter. The more effectively you manage costs and taxes, (avoiding excessive transaction costs, administrative and sales fees), the more likely you are to make positive strides toward your goals. Every dollar you spend on fees is one less dollar for you.
Your Investments Are Just One Part of A Sound Financial Plan. Sound financial planning provides a comprehensive view of you and your family, your most important goals and concerns. It addresses education, retirement, risk, tax and estate planning. Your investment portfolio is not your financial plan. The portfolio should serve the plan and the plan should serve you.
Your Investments Are Just One Part of A Sound Financial Plan. Sound financial planning provides a comprehensive view of you and your family, your most important goals and concerns. It addresses education, retirement, risk, tax and estate planning. Your investment portfolio is not your financial plan. The portfolio should serve the plan and the plan should serve you.