Michael Browning

BB&T Asset Management offers a variety of investment strategies including domestic and international equity and fixed-income. Portfolios are actively managed based on measured decisions in the selection of investments in each asset class. Though not limited by sector, BB&T tends to invest in the stocks of large-cap companies in the finance, health technology and electronic technology sectors. Although most of their investments are in US companies, the firm offers access to investments around the world. BB&T Asset Management maintains a low turnover rate. BB&T's Select Equity Portfolio is primarily a large-cap portfolio that seeks to generate returns above its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, with a similar level of risk. The portfolio typically consists of 45 to 60 holdings with a typical weighting for each position of 1% to 4%. The investment horizon is 3 to 5 years. Investments are selected based on expected total return without preference for growth or value style. BB&T looks for companies that offer attractive relative valuations compared to historical measures. They use fundamental data to develop a 4-year price target for stock including revenue and earnings growth and stability, historical p/e levels, cash flow, margins, book value, PEG ratio and others. BB&T also uses technical analysis to review actual stock price movement and make sector evaluations. The firm's Select Equity Income Portfolio seeks to produce above-average dividend income with returns above its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index. The portfolio is suitable for those seeking a well-diversified portfolio of equities which trade at attractive valuations. The portfolio typically consists of 45 to 60 holdings with a typical weighting for each position of 1% to 4%. The investment horizon is 3 to 5 years. BB&T targets companies that offer attractive relative valuations compared to historical measures. They use fundamental data to develop a 4-year price target for stock including revenue and earnings growth and stability, historical p/e levels, cash flow, margins, book value, PEG ratio and others. BB&T also uses technical analysis to review actual stock price movement and make sector evaluations. BB&T's fixed-income strategies focus on building a stable portfolio that produces steady, predictable returns. The firm offers both taxable and non-taxable fixed-income strategies. Both strategies include concentrated investments in bonds of high credit quality. Their taxable fixed-income strategy focuses on highly rated, intermediate-term bonds with an emphasis on US Government issues. BB&T's non-taxable fixed-income strategy focuses on investments in municipal bonds, with an emphasis on general obligation issues. The firm's Balanced Strategy offers the growth potential of stocks and the stability of bonds. Investments are selected through the use of a proprietary asset allocation method. The equity portion is diversified across all economic sectors. Fixed-income investments focus on intermediate-term fixed-income securities. Portfolio balance is achieved by blending multiple investment strategies and asset classes. This combination may include equity value, equity growth, fixed-income and international equity. The firm's International Equity Strategy provides foreign investment opportunities in established, growing companies in developed and emerging markets. Portfolios are diversified by company, industry and country to reduce portfolio risk. BB&T uses quantitative analysis and qualitative assessment to identify undervalued markets with an emphasis on developed markets with limited emerging market exposure. The BB&T International Equity Fund is sub-advised by Artio Global Management LLC. BB&T's Special Opportunities Equity Strategy focuses on a concentrated portfolio of well-managed companies that are trading at attractive valuations. They concentrate on emerging growth stocks blended with under-appreciated value stocks. Investments are made in growth and/or value companies across all market-caps. The portfolio will hold no more than 30 positions. The BB&T Special Opportunities Equity Fund is sub-advised by Scott and Stringfellow LLC, a wholly-owned, non-bank subsidiary of BB&T Corporation. The firm's Equity Income Strategy seeks above average income production through a portfolio of companies that offer stable, robust and growing dividends with the added benefit of long-term growth of principal. The portfolio focuses on companies with above average yield and historic growth in dividends. BB&T employs a diversification strategy that emphasizes income potential over growth. They use proprietary qualitative analysis to rank companies based on current yield, future yield adjusted for historical dividend growth and financial ability to increase dividends. The firm considers a company's historical operating cash flow after capital spending, forward-looking expense estimates and payment of preferred dividends. They also consider other criteria such as potential liabilities, management strength, business quality, anticipated competitive advantages and the potential to benefit from secular trends.