Investing Information

Evaluating A Money Manager


Scams and frauds are designed to take your money through false promises and phony claims. Money management is supposedly designed to increase your net worth. Sometimes these two worlds meet and the results are not in your favor, i.e., you have a considerable decrease in net worth.

The information in this article won't keep future money managers honest but it will help you find the one who is right for your situation. There are four criteria you must consider before you give your money to anyone to manage.

1)  Philosophy-- This is the thought theology used by the money manager to make your money grow. In other words, does (s)he focus on stocks, options, mutual funds, annuities, a blend of investment vehicles, etc.? Does this philosophy coincide with your risk tolerance? If stocks are too risky, a manager concentrating in that arena isn't for you. The philosophy also points you to their performance.

2)  Performance-- We all know the markets are not stagnant. They go up, they go down. No investment manager can predict the market with absolute certainty. But, they should perform well, or even above average, in their specialty. For example, a stock focused money manager in today's market environment should have performance numbers that would make even Warren Buffet take notice. You want as long a performance record as possbile. To be fair, one market cycle should give you a decent indication of the manager's performance in his/her area(s) of expertise.

3)  Process--  This is the means the manager uses to select securities for the portfolios. For example, does (s)he rely
only on in house research or does (s)he incorporate research
from outside sources? If so, who are they and on what frequency are they used?

4)  Personnel-- Besides wanting to know the manager's experience, you'd be wise to learn all you could about the folks working in the office. Who actually manages the portfolio? His/her experience? How long has (s)he been in business? Who will manage your account when (s)he is out of the office, on vacation, on business?

Some people would say cost is one of the criteria. I say it is, but to a lesser degree. In over 30 years in this business, I can guarantee that paying the highest commission did not necessarily result in receiving the best advice. Paying the lowest commission did not necessarily result in receiving the worst advice.

Cost comes in the form of fees and commissions. ALL money managers charge. Cost, initially, should not be in your criteria because it often becomes the ONLY determining factor. That will skewer your thinking and could result in not having a
winning team working for you. Make the above four parameters your
primary criteria and cost will take care of itself.

How? You will be quoted a charge. If you are not comfortable with that price, negotiate. All fees and commissions are negotiable. If the manager refuses to negotiate, then and only then, make cost a member of the criteria team.

This article won't solve all of the money management problems or costs associated therewith. However, it'll at least start you thinking in the right direction and keep
your money in your pocket until you are ready to hand it over.

2004 (c) This article may not be reprinted without permission of the author who can be reached at tom-koziol@excite.com

GUARANTEED! Turn your paycheck into a cash flow geyser. Cashclique.com Dollar$ign Newsletter provides proven paycheck stretching money management tips, tools, techniques and strategies to increase your personal cash flow. This is YOUR fail safe money management program. FREE subscription at http://www.cashclique.com/page4.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

BiggerPockets a forum for real estate investing
Chicago Tribune, United States - 14 hours ago
The special-interest media and publishing company offers free tools and resources on real estate investing throughout the country, educating and uniting the ...


Exchange traded funds change investing
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 13 hours ago
Mawer's World Investment fund has been named Canada's top international fund four of the past six years, and fund manager Gerald Cooper-Key was named 2007 ...


Investing for Retirement - Cramer's Mad Money (7/3/08)
Seeking Alpha, NY - 11 hours ago
While many people who are investing for retirement tend to be risk averse, Cramer thinks one can go out on a limb once in a while; he reminded viewers it ...


The 10 Commandments Of Muni-Bond Investing
Forbes, NY - Jul 3, 2008
Simply read and follow the new 10 Commandments of Municipal Bond Investing and thou shalt have the where-with-all to survive the credit crisis. ...


The Investing Mistake That Could Destroy Your Retirement
Motley Fool - Jul 3, 2008
You direct your contributions into the asset class or investment style that suits your needs -- large-caps, growth stocks, small-cap value stocks, ...


Get These Stocks Out Of Your IRA!
Motley Fool - Jul 3, 2008
But the other reason to do some investing in taxable accounts is that you can cut your taxes. It may sound counterintuitive that a taxable account could be ...


Global Investing in One Tidy Package
U.S. News & World Report, DC - Jul 3, 2008
The fund (symbol VTWSX) requires a $3000 minimum investment and charges 0.45 percent in annual expenses. So far, not many ETFs offer global exposure. ...


Servcorp investing RM96mil in i-City project
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 22 hours ago
By FINTAN NG SYDNEY: Australia’s Servcorp Ltd, the world’s second largest serviced office operator, is investing US$30mil over five years into ...


Make This Your Best Investing Year Yet
Motley Fool - Jul 3, 2008
Today, he's investing in First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) and Visa (NYSE: V). Fast-forward another five years. Evidence abounds that, for investors, it's going to ...


BBC News

The Five Secrets to Succeed at Bear Market Investing
Money Morning - Jul 2, 2008
But here’s the ultimate irony: Bear-market investing offers a direct pathway to the biggest profit opportunities most investors will ever see. ...
Investing in Commodities: Diversification or Hedging? Seeking Alpha
Investing Strategies for Today's Bear Market Smartmoney.com
Its Black Everywhere istockAnalyst.com
Washington Post - Globe and Mail
all 265 news articles

Investing - Google News

home | site map
© 2006