G. Stuart McKinnon

CWM's fundamental investment principle is based on a balanced investment portfolio constructed from cash, bonds and equities. They are prudent, value-oriented investors. The firm believes there are only two categories of investment - protected capital and risk. While both are essential components of a balanced investment portfolio, the variation in each is determined by the clients' investment objectives and their risk attitudes. CWM builds investment portfolios by applying their 'three box' approach. The objective is to divide capital thereby reducing risk concentration. Their first box consists of short-term interest bearing, capital-protected deposits. Their second box also provides protected income using a range of deposits and bonds. These are spread over a series of investment terms. Their third box introduces growth, with the risk element, through equity-based assets, both direct and through collectives such as unit trusts and investment trusts, in addition to traded fixed-interest securities. The firm invests in global equity and debt across all market caps, with the bulk of the firm's investments in UK large-cap equities. By using two-year forward consensus earnings estimates and dividends to calculate a prospective P/E or dividend yield for each company, they select from a universe of companies that is screened to identify stocks that are relatively cheap or expensive. Stocks are considered attractive if they have twice the upside potential to the downside risk and are defined as a source of funds if the downside is twice the upside. Where attractive stocks are identified, CWM carries out a discounted cash flow analysis using the McKinsey valuation model, which identifies companies that are not creating shareholder value and that would normally be avoided for investment purposes. Finally, a review of management's business strategy is considered by reference to secondary research sources. Risk is minimized by ensuring that weightings in the major sectors of financials, pharmaceuticals and oils do not deviate by more than 5% from the FTSE sector weights. The firm also ensures that they have a spread of investment across the remaining sectors.