CORE BELIEFS
Our business is guided by the most basic principles of successful long-term investing. Whether the objective is growth, income or capital preservation, the following principles allow us to help each client reach their financial goals.
Diligent Research
Executing the investment plan and adhering to our core beliefs through various market cycles takes conviction—conviction that only can be achieved through the knowledge obtained from diligent research and study. We believe careful analysis of the past is the best way to build our understanding of investments and financial markets. Our study of the present ensures we are selecting the best available investments within the context of the asset allocation.
Asset Allocation
Because it is impossible to consistently and accurately predict which investment will provide the highest return in the short run, we seek to provide superior long-term performance through asset allocation. We tailor investment portfolios to specifically meet the needs of each client and ensure they have exposure to the most important asset classes and market sectors. Once an asset allocation is established, it is altered in response to a change in the client's personal situation, but never in an attempt to chase the latest investment fad. Since performance will differ among asset classes, a portfolio's asset allocation will drift from its target over time. Vista rebalances portfolios back to their target allocations once a minimum or maximum threshold has been reached. This discipline serves to manage risk and enhance performance through the process of selling high and buying low.
Low Costs
Our belief here is simple: low investment fees and expenses leave more of the returns in a client's account. We recognize that minimizing the cost of investing is one of the most effective ways to maximize long-term performance. Combined with our focus on reducing transaction costs, our bias towards index funds helps to keep expenses low.
Tax Efficiency
It's not what you make, but what you keep. Many investment managers and mutual funds disregard the impact of taxes on a client's portfolio—we do not. While tax considerations should never be the driving force behind investment decisions, they also should not be ignored. Our strategies for increasing after-tax returns include minimizing portfolio turnover, tax-loss selling and putting a client's most highly taxed assets in tax-deferred accounts.
Client Communication
Frequent and candid communication with our clients is the backbone of our success. Today's world of information overload makes it easy for investors to lose sight of the long-term goals and beliefs guiding the management of their investment portfolio. During times of extreme optimism and pessimism that inevitably occur in all financial markets, Vista provides clients the discipline necessary to stay on track and ultimately achieve their goals.