Michael Robert Walker

Provides brokerage services

A team of portfolio managers oversees each product. The large-cap growth portfolio is constructed relative to the Russell 1000 Growth index. The goal for the large cap value portfolio is to outperform the Russell 1000 Value index. Stocks meeting their minimum capitalization and liquidity requirements are screened based on a proprietary methodology. Once this focus list is determined, they conduct in-house fundamental research to narrow the list to buy candidates. Stocks are selected based on either a low p/e ratio relative to projected earnings growth or on a discount to intrinsic asset value. Ark's small/mid-cap value philosophy reflects a belief that incremental returns can be achieved within the small/mid-cap universe by combining a quantitative approach with traditional fundamental analysis. Using a proprietary six factor model, the universe is further refined using a combination of historical and current data. For their Specialty Growth portfolio, Ark invests in companies along a broad range of market capitalizations that provide significant growth opportunities due to secular or cyclical changes. Their goal is to achieve substantial returns versus the market over a full market cycle through a concentrated portfolio of stocks. This process is driven by research-intensive fundamental stock selection, focused on developing themes and selecting stocks within them. Ark generally sells companies that become less attractive than other securities due to deteriorating current fundamentals or declining earnings expectations. In managing fixed-income portfolios, Ark's investment decisions integrate the expertise of a team of fixed-income specialists. The investment process begins with a top-down approach focusing on the current environment, the economy, and interest rate outlook. Their duration strategy is designed to be risk averse; they do not use market timing. A key determinant in maximizing total return for a given level of risk is proper positioning of a portfolio along the yield curve. Their positioning is based on the current shape and anticipated changes in the yield curve, and an analysis of the spot and forward yield curves. Quantitatively, they review spread relationships among the various sectors, conduct break-even analysis and project total rates of return for various scenarios. The qualitative analysis involves the evaluation of technical factors influencing the market, such as trends, imbalances and seasonal patterns.

AB is a research-driven investment adviser that is global in scope and client-centered in their approach. The firm’s global team of research professionals, whose disciplines include economics, fundamental equity, fixed income and quantitative research, gives them a competitive advantage in achieving investment success for their clients. Within these research disciplines, they also have investment professionals that focus on multi-asset, wealth management and alternative investment strategies.

DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners employs a broad-based global investment strategy. The firm focuses on investments in (1) suburban and downtown office properties in Tokyo, Paris and the US (2) industrial and logistic properties in the US (3) large-scale multi-family properties in New York City, Washington DC, Paris and Tokyo (4) major development projects in the greater Boston area, California, Phoenix and New York City (5) luxury and limited-service hotels in North America and (6) controlling investments in real estate-related companies in the mortgage lending, warehouse, logistics and assisted-living industries. Each underlying asset is evaluated based on its real estate fundamentals, upside potential, cash-on-cash return, resilience to market downturns, liquidity and contribution to the overall diversity of the portfolio. DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners considers investments structured as either equity or debt or a combination of equity and debt. While their typical investment horizon is 3 to 5 years, the firm has held investments for shorter and longer durations.

Functions as a College/University

WPS Advisors seeks to double the value of their clients' investments every 5 years, for an average return of about 15% a year. The firm conducts in-house research on every company they select, developing their investment research information from a variety of sources, both external and internal. They visit companies regularly, contact managements frequently and talk to competitors, customers and suppliers. WPS Advisors prepares detailed 5-year projections for all investment prospects. These forecasts, and the related appraisals of fair current value for companies under review, are continuously updated. Central to the firm's analytic process is a valuation method that is used to determine the intrinsic value of the shares of each of the companies they follow. This appraisal technique systematically examines all relevant factors such as quality of assets, ability to finance growth, strength of product line, capability of management and inflation adaptability. WPS Advisors seeks to invest in companies with solid and consistent earnings growth, which is associated with significant revenue growth. They also look for companies with above-average profitability with low sensitivity to economic cycles, strong financial positions with below average debt-to-total capital ratios, controllable operational leverage, high free cash flow and exceptional management teams. Though not limited by sector, the firm tends to invest in the stocks of US mid-cap and large-cap companies in the finance, consumer non-durables, electronic technology, technology services and retail sectors. WPS Advisors maintains a low turnover rate.

Provides financial consulting services