Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between risk and return?
Evidence from practicing investors and academics alike points to an undeniable conclusion: Returns come from risk. Financial science over the last fifty years has brought us to a powerful understanding of the risks that are worth taking and the risks that are not.
Three Equity Factors
- Market — Stocks have higher expected returns than fixed income securities.
- Size — Small company stocks have higher expected returns than large company stocks.
- Price — Lower-priced “value” stocks have higher expected returns than higher-priced “growth” stocks.
In general, stocks are riskier than bonds and have greater expected returns. Relative performance among stocks is largely driven by the two other dimensions: small/large and value/growth.
- What is comprehensive planning?
- Do I need a financial planner?
- What is a Fee-Only Planner?
- Why is fee-only compensation of critical importance?
- What is the difference between fee-only and fee-based financial planners?
- When do I pay income tax on a regular taxable account?
- What is an institutional fund?
- What is passive portfolio management?
- In layman's terms, what is the Modern Portfolio Theory?
- What is an asset class?
- What is a mutual fund?
- Why choose mutual funds over individual stocks?
- What is the difference between actively managed funds and index funds?
- If index funds serve up average returns, why have they been able to beat most actively managed funds that invest in similar securities over the long run?
- How does diversification lower my risk?
- What is the relationship between risk and return?
- Who will hold my investments?
- How much will it cost?
- How will I be billed?
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. No guarantees of investment success can be offered or that a client's goals and objectives will be achieved. Investments will fluctuate and there will be periods where the investments may be worth less than the initial purchase value.