Lori Cullina

Rothschild recommends an appropriate balance between equity and fixed-income investments to clients and suggests suitable risk parameters for portfolio investments. The firm’s long-term objective is to establish a pattern of positive total return for their clients. They strive to achieve a combined rate of return sufficient to enhance, as well as protect, the real (inflation-adjusted) value of their clients’ assets. Rothschild relies mainly on basic analysis in selecting equity investments. The firm normally constructs portfolios comprised of laddered, short-term to intermediate-term investment grade fixed income securities to protect against interest rate risk and credit risk.

Kovitz Investment Group seeks long-term capital appreciation of client assets through high risk-adjusted returns. To accomplish this objective, the firm emphasizes the preservation of capital and minimization of risk primarily by investing in mid to large-cap companies believed to be significantly under valued. They seek market leaders with strong competitive positions, stable products and economies of scale or scope, low capital requirements and experienced and competent management with ownership stakes. To be considered quantitatively, companies must have high returns on capital, high correlation between earnings and cash flow, low financial risk, valuations based on discounted cash flow models and sell below intrinsic value. For fixed-income, Kovitz does not attempt to forecast interest rates. They seek to capture above market yields via disciplined purchasing strategy, not by assuming added credit risk. Portfolios are comprised primarily of AA and AAA rated bonds. When purchasing bonds, the firm's portfolio managers are flexible as to the timing of principal and interest payments. They may consider premium and discount bonds that will provide additional yield from the reduced demand. In constructing portfolios, their portfolio managers may accept modest liquidity risk when such risk returns significant yield enhancement.