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A philosophy driven by evidence, guided by research, never by guesswork.
You’ve worked hard to earn your money, and we take the responsibility of managing it very seriously
As Independent Financial Planners, we dedicate months each year to thoroughly researching and analysing the full spectrum of investment solutions available across the entire market. We rigorously evaluate every option, leaving no stone unturned, to ensure that we identify the most optimal investment strategies for our clients.
This level of dedication means you can trust that our recommendations are built on solid research, deep expertise, and a genuine commitment to your financial success. We do the hard work so that you can have peace of mind, knowing your investments are in the best possible hands.
Managing investments in a way that is different to the competition
Even the best investment managers can be influenced by emotions when choosing investments. This can sometimes lead them to hold onto a fund that's not performing well, hoping it will recover.
We use a data-driven investment approach to avoid this. Our approach removes emotions from the equation and focuses on what the data tells us. We therefore have no attachment to any one style or manager and will dispassionately highlight funds to sell when the data supports the decision to help optimise your long-term investment return.
So, how does it work?
Every two months (ad-hoc reviews are possible in response to market events) all of the funds within your investment portfolio are reviewed using a data-driven quant-based system.
This technology helps the Investment Team identify if any fund changes should be made within your investment portfolio.
Any proposed changes are then reviewed by an Investment Committee, with appropriate qualitative due diligence performed on any new fund additions to ensure their suitability.
Once your portfolio changes have then been approved by an external risk consultant for independent review, the necessary changes are then implemented.
Beyond just gut feeling: Our approach is grounded in probabilities, not possibilities
Let’s face it, investing can seem complex and uncertain, and for some, can be an emotional experience. That's why we adopt a Nobel prize winning approach to investing, based on academic evidence rather than ill considered speculation.
Our research reinforces that trying to consistently outperform the market through active stock selection, and trying to pick the right stock at the perfect time is incredibly difficult - there is no magic recipe!
Academic studies have shown that, in actual fact, it is the asset allocation of a portfolio (how it's split across assets such as cash, equities, fixed interest or property) that has the greatest impact on your investment experience rather than any selection of individual stocks or shares.
92.1%
92.1% of the variability in returns is due to Asset allocation*
7.9%
Only 7.9% of the variability of returns is due to active decisions such as stock picking and market timing*
*Source: Vanguard's framework for constructing globally diversified portfolios, June 2021. Scott J. Donaldson, CFA, CFP®; Harshdeep Ahluwalia; Giulio Renzi-Ricci; Victor Zhu, CFA, CAIA; Alexander Aleksandrovich, CFA. U.S Based Funds.
Our four key principles to investing
Asset allocation is key
We use a global market capitalised approach to asset allocation, which means we consider the total value of investments around the world when deciding how to allocate your assets. This method helps us diversify your investments and take advantage of opportunities across different markets, aiming to reduce risk and enhance potential returns.
Fund management costs matter (a lot)
Even small fees can add up over time and have a big impact on your investment returns. That’s because investment returns grow through compounding, where you earn returns on both your initial investment and the returns it has already generated. When management costs eat into those returns, it can significantly reduce the amount you end up with in the long run.
Markets are broadly efficient
Prices in global, free trade markets represent the knowledge of millions of buyers and sellers of stock. Any new information, e.g. latest performance reports or press releases, are immediately compounded into prices. With data transfer speeds and the sophistication of trading platforms ever increasing, out pacing the market is nigh impossible.
Risk and reward go hand in hand
Achieving higher levels of return requires an investor to assume a higher level of risk. Markets are functional and efficient enough to mean there is rarely such a thing as a free lunch. Across the universe of available investments, the available outcomes can be measured as return per unit of risk.
Every successful financial plan is underpinned by a solid investment strategy
We've partnered with a multi award winning Discretionary Investment Management Group to manage our own suite of Bullough Model Portfolios.
An investment mandate informed by extensive research and empirical evidence.
Evidence based with back tested data to 1956!
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Highly diversified portfolios prioritising low-cost investment instruments to maximise your returns.
Tolerance-based approach to rebalancing to help minimise trading costs and ensure you stay invested.
A disciplined approach to investing through a buy-and-hold approach which avoids trying to ‘time the market’.
Keeping you in the loop...
Every quarter we’ll provide you with a 'Portfolio Review Report’, providing you with full details of any adjustments made within your investment portfolio, and why these changes were made.
We believe regular and clear communication is key to a successful financial partnership - it's your money, after all.
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