Our Philosophy

The market is an effective information-processing machine. Millions of participants buy and sell securities in the world markets every day, and the real-time information they bring helps set prices.

Number of Trades – 82.7 Million, Dollar Volume - $346.4 Billion

World Equity Trading in 2016 (daily average)

The market’s pricing power works against mutual fund managers who try to outperform through stock picking or market timing. As evidence, only 17% of US equity mutual funds and 18% of fixed income funds have survived and outperformed their benchmarks over the past 15 years.

Some investors select mutual funds based on past returns. However, research shows that most funds in the top quartile (25%) of previous five-year returns did not maintain a top- quartile ranking for one-year returns in the following year. Past performance offers little insight into a fund’s future returns.

The financial markets have rewarded long-term investors. People expect a positive return on the capital they supply, and historically, the equity and bond markets have provided growth of wealth that has more than offset inflation.

Academic research has identified these equity and fixed income dimensions, which point to differences in expected returns. Investors can pursue higher expected returns by structuring their portfolio around these dimensions.

EQUITIES

• Market ∙ Equity premium – stocks vs. bonds
• Company Size ∙ Small cap premium – small vs. large companies
• Relative Price ∙ Value premium – value vs. growth companies
• Profitability ∙ Profitability premium – high vs. low profitability companies

FIXED INCOME

• Term ∙ Term premium – longer vs. shorter maturity bonds
• Credit ∙ Credit premium – lower vs. higher credit quality bonds

Diversification helps reduce risks that have no expected
return, but diversifying within your home market is not enough. Global diversification can broaden your investment universe.

You never know which market segments will outperform from year to year. By holding a globally diversified portfolio, investors are well positioned to seek returns wherever they occur.

Many people struggle to separate their emotions from investing. Markets go up and down. Reacting to current market conditions may lead to making poor investment decisions.

Daily market news and commentary can challenge your investment discipline. Some messages stir anxiety about the future, while others tempt you to chase the latest investment fad. When headlines unsettle you, consider the source and maintain a long-term perspective.

A financial advisor can offer expertise and guidance to help you focus on actions that add value.

This can lead to a better investment experience.

• Create an investment plan to fit your needs and risk tolerance
• Structure a portfolio along the dimensions of expected returns
• Diversify globally
• Manage expenses, turnover, and taxes
• Stay disciplined through market dips and swings