We strive to manage investments prudently. We buy high-quality investments when they are inexpensive, using a value-oriented approach.

We use both active and indexed portfolio management techniques depending on market conditions. When markets offer opportunities, or as we uncover compelling ideas, active portfolio management is useful. At other times our preferred position is to use market-Cap weighted investments. Other effective principles we use:

• Diversification – investing your money across all the five asset classes is the better way to protect your portfolio against risks.
• Value-style oriented investments – though we embrace many investment strategies, we tend to gravitate toward the Value- style school of thought.
• Evidence Based techniques – avoiding (but never ignoring) investment fashions in favor of well researched strategies is a sensible way to invest.
• Curated investment Factors and strategies.

We believe that market conditions are important, especially when clients add to or withdraw capital. At these times, we pay attention to market trends based on relative yield spreads between major asset classes and our expectations about their future performance. But normally, we do not attempt to time the market; research suggests it is futile.

With markets becoming increasingly global, we seek opportunities regardless of where they are located.

We use fundamental as well as quantitative approaches to guide us when we buy and sell securities.

• We manage risk by designing portfolios that set the appropriate asset allocation for the five main asset classes—cash, bonds, equities, commodities, real estate.
• We select strategies that are researched and curated for each asset class in the portfolio. We use a multi-strategy approach because few strategies work well under all conditions. But we prefer value strategies. These strategies focus on finding good companies at favorable prices.
• We choose attractive securities in each asset class (to strive for returns).

We believe that most investors are unable to assess, much less quantify, their “risk-profile”. So, we focus on an investor’s time frame and goals. Then, we target the least return their portfolio must make to meet those goals.

We then craft a portfolio which is consistent with the desired minimum return. We take this approach because we believe that mitigating risk is more prudent than reaching for the highest return possible. We assess and manage risks from many perspectives. These go far beyond the traditional “risk-return” view of investments.

First, we do not equate risk to volatility (risk is the possibility of permanent loss of capital while volatility is a measure of uncertainty).

In addition to the “risk-return” approach we also look at other risks like:

• Capital risk: Limit exposure of any specific individual security to 5% of the portfolio; pick securities with above average balance sheet quality.
• Liquidity risk: The risk that your investment may not be able to be sold quickly for cash. For example, real estate cannot be liquidated quickly.
• Goal-achievement risk: The risk that goals may not be met. This may happen because the strategy is too safe or too risky.
• Withdrawal timing and withdrawal rate risk: The risk that withdrawals will be inappropriately timed relative to market cycles.
• Draw-down risk: The risk that a one-time event might force more capital to be withdrawn.
• Short-Fall risk: The risk of not meeting your income needs.
• Behavioral risk: Clients’ emotions pose a behavioral risk. This is especially true in times of stress. They may override prudent investing approaches. Studies have shown that investor return is much less than investment return. Investor return is what an investor actually earns. Investment return is what the portfolio’s strategies earn. Much of this discrepancy may be due to behavioral risk.
• Administrative risk: There is risk in administrative tasks. Accurate account paperwork is important. This is to avoid conflicts with wills and estates. We also help clients to ensure that assets and debts are properly inventoried, titled, and documented.
• Earnings Potential risk (or your human capital risk): It varies by profession. Some careers, like professional athletes, have short but high-earning paths. Others, like service professions (doctors, lawyers, etc.), have longer paths with steady income.

We believe that your comfort and peace of mind with your financial affairs depend largely on your advisor. We will work with you to find and carry out solutions that matter to you.

Credentials form the foundation of technical expertise. Our lead advisor has an MBA from the Wharton School.

Experience comes from seeing a wide variety of situations relevant to investments. Our lead advisor has more than 30 years of experience in the Investments industry.

Expertise comes from dealing with topics that are relevant to investors just like you. Our lead advisor has been “round the block” several times with high net worth (HNW) and accredited investors addressing their needs.

Fiduciary – even the best advisor is lacking if they do not act in your best interest. We operate as fiduciaries and use the fiduciary oath as our guiding principle.

Service – We have clear service levels. We strive to follow them. They cover things like answering your calls within 24 hours (usually faster), discussing your progress towards your goals several times a year, giving honest and clear answers, and admitting to mistakes on the rare occasion we make them.

Trustworthy – we believe that the only way to earn your trust is to: be at the top of our game, to have a mutually respectful relation, and to package our service in a cost competitive offering.

Biography

Dushyant Pandit – Managing Director & Founder.

• More than 30 years of investment industry and consulting experience.
• Deep experience managing investments for individuals and families.
• Professional history includes senior roles at Merrill Lynch, Tocqueville Asset Management, KPMG, Gruntal & Co., PNC financial services group, and the Hay Group’s Strategic Management Associates.
• MBA in finance from the Wharton School & B.S. in Statistics and Economics from Bombay University.
• Married and lives in the New York area. Interests include golf, music, and travel.

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We offer a credentialed (Wharton MBA) advisor. He has more than 30 years of experience. He is a personal investments expert who follows fiduciary standards. And, we charge below industry-median prices.

We seek to manage risk, rather than shooting for returns. (A lesson learned over 30 years).

Jargon Free: though well-schooled in Finance and Statistics we prefer everyday English when communicating with clients. We strive for clarity and simplicity in our investment strategy, portfolios, and communications.

As a registered investment advisor we are held to a higher fiduciary standard in our dealings with clients. Learn more about Fiduciaries.

We disclose our fees fully and get no additional fees or commissions from other sources. This enables us to put our client’s interests first and keep conflicts at a minimum.