Determining which existing positions should be maintained within your overall portfolio requires a detailed analysis of not only your current holdings, but also the proposed allocation going forward. Below are some questions we will explore when trying to decide if a particular position is appropriate for your portfolio:
- Does the position have a capital gain?
- How does the position compare with the recommended investments in its peer group?
- Does the position overlap with any new positions?
- Does the position have consistent returns within its peer group?
- Does the position have style drift?
- Does the position have any CDSCs or liquidation costs?
- Can we find accurate information about the position on a regular basis?
- Do you have an emotional attachment to the position (e.g., company stock)?
- Does it make sense to hold on to the position?
- Does the position match your goals?
- Is the position compromising the entire asset allocation?
- Does the position represent a significant percentage of the portfolio?
It is also important to remember that maintaining too many positions within the portfolio may become a deterrent to managing the portfolio effectively, and it may increase transaction costs. Ultimately, we must work together to determine which investments are suitable. In order to evaluate your current holdings, we utilize state-of-the-art portfolio evaluation tools, including Argus, Value Line, and Morningstar Advisor Workstation. These tools provide the capability to access current quantitative data on 40,000 stocks, mutual funds, annuities, and variable life sub-accounts, thus giving us a basis upon which to make recommendations about your existing positions.
