We really try to think like business owners. This means we try to judge the performance of a company or an investment by the underlying business progress rather than the shorter-term movement in market prices”
Our objective is to preserve and grow the wealth of our clients over multiple generations. Through our investments, we aspire to preserve both the wealth of future generations and the environment and society they will inherit.
We set out to preserve our clients' wealth by focusing on sustainable long-term growth. When investing our clients' money, alongside our own, we are guided by the principles below.
A long-term investment horizon allows us to cut through short-term noise and focus on what really matters. We can act and think like business owners and build active partnerships with the companies and funds that we invest in. We believe this creates real value for our clients.
Even modest levels of inflation erode the real value of capital over time. Our investment objective is to outpace inflation and generate sustained returns. We do this by finding high quality companies with pricing power and high barriers to entry.
Sustainability factors cannot be separated from economic factors as they are inherently part of the long-term risks and opportunities of any company. Sustainability analysis is explicitly integrated into our investment process. As long-term investors, we want to own high-quality businesses that have resilient business models and sustainable business practices.
We seek assets that provide genuine protection in periods of market stress. This allows us to be on the front foot and smooths the journey for our clients. Our in-depth research on companies means that we invest with conviction while minimising the risk of permanent capital loss. Taken together, we build sensibly diversified portfolios, combining investments in high-quality companies with true diversifiers.
We often speak about our bottom-up investment approach. However, in this Quarterly Letter, we (ironically) take a look at this approach from a top-down perspective, outlining our investment objective, as well as the people and processes that work to achieve this.
Investing for the long term
We've always invested in long-term, sustainable business. To discover how environmental, social and governance issues are embedded in our approach to wealth management, please review our Sustainability and Stewardship Report for 2022.
Preserving and growing your wealth means investing sustainably over time. We are committed to investing responsibly on behalf of our clients and do so by following our Sustainability and Stewardship Policy.
Inflation is the increase in the general price of goods and services over time. Persistently high inflation can have a devastating impact on your wealth as it effectively erodes the real value of your money.
As the cost of living rises, the real value of your savings and investments can diminish. To preserve wealth, it is important to consider investments that can potentially outpace inflation, such as equities, property and inflation-protected bonds.
Bonds are effectively loans made to governments or companies which are paid back with interest. They are typically used to fund projects or manage debt.
They offer a regular and stable income to investors and are often inflation-linked, meaning that returns increase during inflationary periods.
Equity refers to ownership of a business or holding shares in a company. Those who own equity are called shareholders and have a claim on the company's assets and earnings. Equities can be held by individuals or other entities, such as investment funds.
Shareholders generally have the right to participate in company decisions and receive a share of profits, through dividends or capital appreciation. Owning equity can be a successful investment strategy, although there are risks associated with the performance and volatility of the company.
Quarterly Letter
Humans are irrational beings, yet economic theory often assumes we are perfect decision makers. In this Quarterly Letter we examine some of the common mistakes people make, and explain how acknowledging these flaws can strengthen, rather than weaken, our investment decisions.
Insights
Lombard loans, also known as portfolio loans, allow you to borrow money against your assets such as stocks and bonds without selling your investment portfolio. This guide explains how you can use such loans to maximise your wealth.
Insights
No parent wants to pass on wealth to their children and watch them fritter it away. Here’s how to give your family the best chance in life while ensuring your wealth is protected for generations to come.
