Investment Planning

“The essence of investment management is the management of risks, not the management of returns.”

-Benjamin Graham

Premise:

Investment risk is something that most investors prefer to avoid, but begrudgingly accept as a preferable choice over not meeting their goals caused by not accepting risk:

• Investors should only take as much risk as is necessary to achieve their financial goals.

• They should not take unnecessary risk simply because they can tolerate the risk.

• Investors should not avoid risks that make sense based on what they want to achieve.

It's important to recognize that for most investors the pain of losing money is stronger than the happiness of making money. What's needed therefore is a clear understanding of the difference between permanent impairment and temporary loss.

“Rule number one: don't lose money, rule number two: don't forget rule number one.”

- Warren Buffet

Discipline:

Is a mandatory attribute to successful wealth management. This discipline requires us to not run from asset classes that are temporarily out of favor, nor to chase asset classes that are “hot”.

At the same time, it's important to recognize fundamental shifts that are taking place in the economy and the world, and to respond to them accordingly. The critical point is to create a Strategic investment plan, one that encompasses all pertinent objectives and then make Tactical adjustments as life events, circumstances and domestic and global conditions warrant.

Good investors put themselves in the position of being able to anticipate and respond, rather than being forced to react. The key component is one of effectively executing these strategic and tactical moves utilizing top investment management firms.

In Conclusion:

Our primary role as a Financial Adviser is to help my clients develop realistic expectations – based on their personal goals and objectives. Once expectations are properly set, we can then focus on helping manage their behavior as investors. How investors react to unanticipated events is critical to their long term success.

Investor behavior is a more important determinant of success than investment performance.

Investment Analysis Guide
Areas for Portfolio Evaluation

  • Lack of clear Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

  • Investments mismatched with objectives

  • Inappropriate level of risk (too much or too little)

  • Lack of diversification

  • Under performing investments or managers

  • Manager style drift of conversely, style rigidity

  • Overlapping investments or management styles

  • Lack of tax management (tax inefficiency)

  • Excessive expenses or trading activity

  • Lack of monitoring, adjusting or rebalancing

  • Unclear or untimely reporting

  • Lack of communication, service and accountability

Attributes Required For Favorable Results

(Rate your current Relationship or Yourself)

  • Ability - The capability of the individual responsible for decisions

  • Time - The amount of time available or devoted to management

  • Interest - How much do you/your adviser care? (Enjoy?)

  • Incentive - Is your advisers incentive sufficient and fair? Is your incentive strong enough?

Six Steps to Investment Portfolio Design ©
Stage 1: Assessment and Objectives

I) Inventory Current Financial Position

  • Assets (Current and Future)

  • Liabilities

  • Income Sources and Expenses

  • Tax Circumstances

II) Set Goals and Objectives

  • Determine Risk Tolerance (Financial and Psychological)

  • Current and Future Income and Capital Needs

  • Review Estate Planning Issues and Alternatives

Stage 2: Development and Implementation
III) Develop Investment Strategy

  • Determine Necessary Return Parameters (Targets)

  • Achieve Objectives with Least Amount of Risk: Portfolio Efficiency

  • Asset Allocation Modeling

  • Develop Written Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

IV) Implementation of Investment Strategy

  • Diversify Adequately within Major Asset Classes and Sub Styles

  • Equity - Market Segment and Management Style

  • Fixed Income - Diversify by Style, Duration (Maturity), Quality

  • Perform Manager Search and Selection Process

Stage 3: Evaluation and Review
V) Evaluate Performance

  • Insurance Strategy is Achieving the Stated Objectives

  • Insure Individual Investments are Performing to Expectation

  • Measure and Evaluate Portfolio Performance versus Indexes and Peer Group

VI) Review and Adjust Investment Strategy

  • Review Stated Objectives

  • Evaluate Market Conditions

  • Make Adjustments to Portfolio/Strategy if Warranted to Reflect Changes in the Market Environment or Client Circumstances

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