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Investment Process

1.

Complete a financial plan to determine the investment strategy we will need to meet your goals.

2.

Review and discuss your risk tolerance and time horizon.

3.

Determine a “neutral” target asset allocation that is an appropriate balance between:

  • Short-term risk: temporary decline in portfolio value.
  • Long-term risks:  inflation and outliving your portfolio.
4.

Determine appropriate adjustments to the target allocation, based on market valuations.

  • Identify potential opportunities and threats; Make adjustments as needed.
5.

Asset selection

  • Review a wide range of “asset classes”, such as US and foreign stocks, real assets, different types of bonds and “alternative” asset classes.
  • When selecting “asset type”, we focus on simplicity, liquidity and flexibility.
  • Types of assets typically are ETFs and mutual funds but may also include individual stocks and bonds as selected by separate account managers.
  • Conduct mutual fund and separate account manager research through quantitative screening and qualitative research.
6.

Mix of passive (index tracking) and active (managers trying to better the index).

  • Utilize a mix of both strategies.
  • Some asset classes are better for indexing than others.
  • Utilize different types of low cost index funds – not just traditional market cap weighted funds.
7.

Keep expenses low.

  • Only use no load or load waived mutual funds.
  • Use lower cost “institutional share classes” of mutual funds which are available only to clients of advisors.
8.

Maximize portfolio tax efficiency, where possible.

  • “It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep.”
  • Investment Strategy – where possible:
    • Add the most tax efficient assets (such as stock index funds) in taxable accounts.
    • Add the least tax efficient assets in traditional retirement accounts.
    • Assets with best long-term growth potential will be placed in Roth accounts since gain will never be taxed.
    • We typically use federally tax-exempt municipal bond funds for those in high tax brackets.
  • Portfolio income needs – determine whether to take cash from retirement or taxable accounts to maximize tax efficiency.
9.

Rebalance periodically and opportunistically.

  • Adjust the asset allocation as your situation and markets evolve.
  • Monitor investments to confirm that they are appropriate for your portfolio.
  • Identify new investments that we believe will improve your portfolio.

learn More about our Investment Management Philosophy

Investment Philosophy

Where will your financial journey lead?

Whether you are establishing your financial roots, stretching your wealth to new heights, or thinking about a path for the next generation, we can be your guide.

Our methodology and innovative use of financial planning and investment technology inspires engaged, authentic conversations that lead to informed decisions. By pairing the right planning and investments with ongoing monitoring and adjustments, we can help you achieve your goals.

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