Our Investment Approach

Conservative
We believe that an investment portfolio should be a source of comfort in one's financial security, not a source of worry. Therefore, our objective is to meet clients' expectations for portfolio returns while maintaining an investment profile that reduces volatility relative to the broader market. We seek to construct resilient investment portfolios that participate strongly in bull markets and that rebound quickly from inevitable corrections. We manage risk at the level of asset allocation as well as security selection. Preservation of capital is always a primary concern.

Individually Tailored
Initially, we work closely with clients to develop an investment strategy that accounts for their financial goals (e.g. long-term appreciation, a steady stream of income, or anything in between) as well as their tolerance for risk. This framework governs the most appropriate allocation of dollars to a wide range of publicly-traded securities that may include common stocks, exchange-traded funds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries, CDs, preferred shares, real estate investment trusts, gold, etc. Subsequently, we construct a portfolio of securities and review these investments regularly to ensure that they are meeting expectations. Should the risk/reward for a particular security or for capital markets change significantly, we carefully evaluate each client's positioning and execute changes within the investment framework established for their portfolio, paying close attention to the tax consequences of any changes. All investments are held at Schwab, Morgan Stanley or, if a prior relationship exists, at a custodian chosen by the client. Clients can monitor their investments via monthly statements provided by the custodian and are free to add or withdraw funds at any time.

Actively Managed
As active managers investing in individual stocks and bonds, we are an outlier in an era of passive index investing. We prefer to know what we own in detail so that when the market stumbles, we have the confidence to maintain our investment in a particular company. Typically, we seek to invest in securities offering uncommon value, participating in secular growth trends, or likely to benefit from specific catalysts. In selecting equities, we consider the historical growth and durability of earnings and dividends, as well as future opportunities for a company in light of macroeconomic trends. Fixed income instruments are evaluated based on the issuer's business prospects, their credit rating, and the security's yield relative to risks associated with trends in interest rates and inflation. Our investments are diversified across asset classes, industrial sectors and national boundaries.

Our goal is to provide our clients peace of mind. We invest with a level of care and diligence that reflects our commitment to ensuring our clients' long-term financial security.