Investment Principles

Our investment research covers all major asset classes, spanning all regions of the world and we seek funds with the underlying principles of balancing risk, reward and cost.

We also recognise that minimising costs in the client’s investment programme can have significant benefits, especially given the multiplying effects of compounding. A pound of costs saved is no different to a pound of market performance in monetary terms, yet it is more valuable due to its consistency over time and being achieved without taking any risk.

One of the key benefits of our investment approach is that we’re able to leverage our buying power to provide funds at a fair value, which is lower than similar products in the market. Our portfolios are rebalanced quarterly to support consistency of performance and to keep in line with our clients’ attitude to risk.

Principle 1: Get the asset mix right

We start with getting the asset apportionment fine-tuned across our funds. The choice and adherence to our long-term investment policy and asset allocation, is the core driver of portfolio returns and therefore risk. Choosing the right mix, over the right time and for the right risk appetite, is the best means to deliver expected returns.

Principle 2: Diversify broadly

The next important step is to ensure that an investor is not overly exposed to one sector/fund/geography because the only certainty in financial markets is their uncertainty. Taking an approach that doesn’t chase trends means investors  take advantage, wherever they can, of the diversification benefits on offer. We believe that owning a well-diversified portfolio is critical to long-term portfolio success and is a method of taking an element of control over market changes that are essentially uncontrollable, such as natural disasters, wars, political changes etc.

Principle 3: Manage financial costs

Investors are often unaware of the effects ongoing and compounding fees have on returns and the severe deductions over the long-term. These include the effects of inflation on purchasing power; the cost of tax; and the significant ‘all-in’ cost of investing (e.g. ongoing charges and turnover costs). Controlling costs within the fund has significant benefits, especially given the multiplying effects over the life-time of an investment.

Principle 4: Control emotions

Behavioural finance studies have revealed that investors suffer a number of wealth damaging psychological preconceptions and biases.

The emotional impacts of regret, pride, greed and panic tend to result in trying to guess market timing and the excessive taking or avoidance of risk. Poor investment behaviour is likely to have a negative effect on investment returns. We take the emotion out and base decisions on quantitative analysis rather than making behavioural choices.

Principle 5: Rebalance the portfolio

Rebalancing is where a portfolio is brought back to its originally designed asset allocation when market performance has caused it to change. The purpose of rebalancing is to control risk, and to ensure that investors are not exposed to more risk than they agreed. Rebalancing can be achieved either by buying and selling funds, or by directing new money into the right asset to achieve the original balance.

We rebalance all our portfolios periodically.

The value of investments and income from them is not guaranteed, can fall, and you may get back less than you invested. Your capital is therefore always at risk. It should be noted that stock market investing is intended for the longer term.

The information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.