Overview
- Headquarters
- Lakeville, CT
- Average Client Assets
- $3.1 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $1,000,000
- SEC CRD Number
- 114629
Recent Rankings
Forbes 2025: 60
Forbes 2024: 63
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (FIRM PART 2A BROCHURE)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $2,000,000 | 1.25% |
| $2,000,001 | $5,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $5,000,001 | $10,000,000 | 0.75% |
| $10,000,001 | $20,000,000 | 0.50% |
| $20,000,001 | $40,000,000 | 0.25% |
| $40,000,001 | $60,000,000 | 0.15% |
| $60,000,001 | and above | 0.10% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $12,500 | 1.25% |
| $5 million | $55,000 | 1.10% |
| $10 million | $92,500 | 0.92% |
| $50 million | $207,500 | 0.42% |
| $100 million | $262,500 | 0.26% |
Clients
- HNW Share of Firm Assets
- 95.20%
- Total Client Accounts
- 3,017
- Discretionary Accounts
- 3,017
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Educational Seminars
Regulatory Filings
Additional Brochure: FIRM PART 2A BROCHURE (2026-03-31)
View Document Text
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
Headquarters:
342 Main Street
Lakeville, CT 06039
Other offices:
380 Greenwich Ave,
Greenwich CT 06830
30 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 3330
Sausalito, CA 94965
241 East 52nd Street,
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: 860.435.2350
Email: msr@ms-research.com
Web Address: www.ms-research.com
March 31, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Main Street
Research LLC (“MSR”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
(415) 289-1010 or team@ms-research.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or
verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities
authority. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about MSR is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You
can search this site by a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. Our firm's CRD number is
114629.
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Item 2. Material Changes
MSR updates this document annually or more frequently in the event of certain material changes.
This section outlines and summarizes any specific material changes made since the document’s
previous update. If material changes have been made to the firm’s business philosophies and
practices, MSR will deliver a copy of this section to its clients within 120 days of its fiscal year to
make sure clients are aware of those material changes.
There are no material changes to report since the last annual filing.
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Item 3.
Table of Contents
Item 1. Cover page ..................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2. Material changes ........................................................................................................... 2
Item 3. Table Of Contents ......................................................................................................... 3
Item 4. Advisory Business ........................................................................................................ 4
Item 5. Fees And Compensation ............................................................................................. 8
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees And Side-By-Side Management ................................... 12
Item 7. Types Of Clients ......................................................................................................... 13
Item 8. Methods Of Analysis, Investment Strategies And Risk Of Loss ......................... 13
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................... 23
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities And Affiliations ........................................... 23
Item 11. Code Of Ethics, Participation In Client Transactions And Personal Trading .... 23
Item 12. Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................... 25
Item 13. Review Of Accounts................................................................................................... 29
Item 14. Client Referrals And Other Compensation ............................................................ 30
Item 15. Custody ........................................................................................................................ 30
Item 16. Investment Discretion ................................................................................................ 31
Item 17. Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................. 31
Item 18. Financial Information ................................................................................................ 32
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Item 4.
Advisory Business
MSR is an SEC-registered investment adviser with its principal place of business located in
Lakeville, Connecticut, and branch offices in Sausalito, California, New York, and Greenwich,
Connecticut. MSR has been registered as an investment adviser since 1993. James E. Demmert is
the firm’s Founder, Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer and majority owner.
MSR provides wealth management services to advisory clients.
As of 12/31/2025, we were actively managing $2,681,886,634 of clients' assets on a discretionary
basis and no assets on a non-discretionary basis. See additional information regarding our services
in this Item below.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Our Wealth Management for families and individuals consists of two components: (i) Financial
Planning and (ii) Investment Management. For foundations or institutions, we offer the additional
component of providing outside chief investment officer services as needed.
IRA ROLLOVERS
When appropriate, we will recommend that you roll over assets in a current retirement plan
account (such as a 401(k) account or an individual retirement account) to another retirement plan
account that we will manage on your behalf. In certain such circumstances, a conflict of interest
exists as we have an incentive to recommend the retirement plan account rollover because we can
earn more compensation as a result of the rollover recommendation. Nonetheless, we follow a
process designed to ensure that such retirement plan rollover is in your best interest, including
comparing your current retirement plan account (where information is available to us) to the
retirement plan account being recommended to you.
FINANCIAL PLANNING:
Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future financial state by
using currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset values, and withdrawal plans.
Through the financial planning process, all questions, information, and analysis are considered as
they impact and are impacted by the client's entire financial and life situation. In instances when a
client is referred to MSR with a proposed financial plan and/or investment recommendations, MSR
will conduct its own separate analysis and provide its own recommendations. Clients who elect
to receive this service receive a written report that provides the client with a tailored and detailed
financial plan designed to help achieve their financial goals and objectives.
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In general, the financial plan can address any of the following areas:
- Personal. We review family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate information, and
financial goals.
- Tax & Cash Flow. We analyze the client’s income tax and spending and planning for past,
current, and future years and illustrate the impact of various investments on the client's
current income tax and future tax liability. In addition, we provide tax guidance but always
recommend the client consult with their CPA and/or a tax attorney and work closely with
those consultants on the clients’ individual tax matters.
-
Investments. We analyze investment alternatives and their effect on the client's portfolio.
-
Insurance. We review existing policies, if applicable, to evaluate life, health, disability, long-
term care, liability, home, and automobile coverage.
- Retirement. We analyze current strategies and investment plans to help the client achieve
their retirement goals.
- Death & Disability. We review the client’s cash needs at death, income needs of surviving
dependents, and disability income.
- Estate. We assist the client in assessing and developing long-term estate planning strategies,
including the appropriateness of living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary
designations, gifts, and asset protection plans.
- LifeCase. We provide clients with an easy manner to organize and store important
documents (i.e., wills, trust, health proxies/advanced directives, birth certificates, social
security cards, financial account statements, tax returns, etc.) digitally on Box, a cloud
storage provider for easy “on the go” access.
- Next Generation Planning. Our service offering also includes next-generation planning
where we assist your children or heirs with a comprehensive, no-cost, wealth management
analysis. It involves a broad overview of wealth management, individual analysis of their
family assets, and a seasoned "second opinion” of their current wealth and investment
management situation.
We gather relevant information through in-depth personal interviews. Information gathered
typically includes a client's current financial status, tax status, future goals, return objectives, and
attitudes towards risk. We carefully review any documents supplied by the client and prepare a
written report. Should the client choose to implement the recommendations contained in the plan
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beyond the investment strategy provided by MSR, we suggest the client work closely with their
attorney, accountant, and other advisers.
These services are updated annually with the client or sooner if life circumstances change and
provided to the clients at no additional costs.
Implementation of financial plan recommendations that require more specified expertise that is
not provided by MSR is entirely at the client’s discretion including the use of third parties. If client
is not already working with a third party, at the client’s request, MSR will provide third party
recommendations. Financial Planning recommendations are not limited to any specific product or
service offered by a broker-dealer or insurance company other than the custodian’s proprietary
money market funds.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT:
We provide continuous advice regarding the investment of client funds tailored to the specific
needs of each client. We will create and manage a portfolio based on a client’s goals and objectives
as determined through the investment policy statement and the financial planning process
described above, if applicable. During this data-gathering process, we determine the client’s
individual objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. We may also review and
discuss a client’s prior investment history, as well as family composition and background.
We currently offer our Wealth Management services on a discretionary basis only. Account
supervision is guided by the client's stated objectives (e.g., growth, income, or a balance between
growth and income), as well as tax considerations. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on
investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a
broker-dealer other than the custodian’s proprietary money market funds. Our client portfolios
primarily consist of individual securities: including domestic and foreign stocks, bonds, exchange-
listed real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), and preferred
stock. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are employed for a portion of a portfolio for strategic
purposes such as accessing investments that are relatively illiquid (like foreign stocks and small
capitalized stocks). Additionally, ETFs are used to provide greater diversification for clients with
small investable asset bases. We typically do not include mutual funds in a client’s portfolio unless
the client already owns them.
For clients that have expressed an interest in environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”)
investing, we employ a model portfolio based on factor scoring from unaffiliated third-party
research partners. Factor scoring rates companies based on how well they are performing in ESG
criteria compared to industry peers. This model strives to invest in stocks that have ESG scores of
at least 50/100.
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Since our investment strategies and advice are based on each client’s specific financial situation,
the investment advice we provide to you may be different or conflict with the advice we give to
other clients regarding the same security or investment. Our investment advice and advisory
services are tailored to meet the individual needs of clients. MSR chooses investments and/or
investment strategies it deems appropriate, given each of our clients’ investment objectives and
risk tolerance.
Use of Subadvisors
MSR can select or recommend certain third-party independent managers (“subadvisors”) to
actively manage a portion or all of a client’s assets. When selecting a subadvisor MSR will delegate
its authority to the subadvisor and no separate client agreement is necessary. MSR will provide
the client with the subadvisor’s disclosure brochure.
MSR evaluates a variety of information about subadvisors including the subadvisor’s public
disclosure documents, materials supplied by the subadvisor themselves, and other third-party
analyses it believes are reputable. To the extent possible, MSR seeks to assess the subadvisor’s
investment strategies, past performance, and risk results in relation to its clients. MSR also takes
into consideration each subadvisor’s management style, returns, reputation, financial strength,
reporting, pricing, and research capabilities, among other factors.
Reasonable Restrictions
MSR allows clients to place reasonable restrictions on investments in certain securities, types of
securities, or industries. To implement a restriction, the client (or authorized individual) may
request, in writing or by speaking to their advisor, a limitation or restriction on our discretionary
authority with respect to certain securities, types of securities, or industries, to not be bought or
sold. Clients are reminded that these changes will not be considered in effect until the client
receives such confirmation from MSR.
MSR may elect not to accept a client’s account(s) for management if significant restrictions apply.
Once received MSR will review the requested restrictions for “reasonableness,” which will be
determined in MSR’s sole discretion. If MSR determines that the requested restriction is
unreasonable, MSR will notify the client that MSR cannot manage the account with the requested
restriction. The client may, thereafter, request that the restriction not be implemented in order to
engage MSR to manage or continue to manage the account.
Clients should be aware that requested restrictions cannot and will not be implemented on
underlying holdings used within the client portfolio of a mutual fund, ETF, or other pooled
vehicle, and therefore the client’s accounts may gain exposure to a restricted security, type of
security, or industry, through the use of these vehicles. Furthermore, MSR does not and will not
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monitor the underlying holdings of pooled vehicles for restriction purposes. Clients expressly
acknowledge this limitation when engaging MSR to continue managing accounts with
restrictions. If restrictions create significant limitations on MSR’s ability to efficiently and/or
effectively manage a client’s portfolio, MSR may elect not to accept the client’s account(s) for
management. Finally, MSR will not act with discretion with respect to restricted securities.
Therefore, trades for these restricted securities always require prior approval from the client.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
FEES FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES
We offer clients two fee options for our Wealth Management service: a Traditional Fee Schedule
and a Performance Fee Schedule. Our Traditional Fee Schedule consists solely of a fee based on a
percentage of the amount of assets under management with MSR (a “management fee”). Our
Performance Fee Schedule has two fee components: (i) management fee; and (ii) a performance-
Upon initially choosing a fee schedule a client may request at any time to change their fee
schedule, however, future changes are subject to a 24-month commitment. Performance Fee
Schedule qualification will still apply under a potential change request. Under certain
circumstances, this 24- month commitment is negotiable or can differ between clients.
Subadvisor Fees
If appropriate, MSR will enroll a portion or all of a client’s assets with a sub-advisor manager. The
fees consist solely of a fee based on a percentage of the amount of assets under the sub-advisor's
management. MSR and the sub-advisor share the proceeds of the fee deducted.
For some of our clients we manage several accounts which could include accounts of their family
members and/or their business accounts. In these cases, MSR’s default is to aggregate the entire
amount of assets under management of that client’s accounts, family member and/or business
accounts to determine the appropriate fee threshold on our tiered fee schedule described below.
Family members include parents, grandparents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and in-laws.
All family members must be on the same fee schedule to aggregate. This is employed in an effort
to provide the client with the most advantageous fee schedule given that our fees are generally
lower on a percentage basis for clients with higher amounts of assets under management. This
aggregation method is limited, however, when applied to our performance-based fee option
described below. The performance-based fee schedule, rather, is available only to each client that
is a “qualified client” as defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Family
member accounts are not aggregated in cases where the individual family member does not
independently meet the “qualified client” criteria. Some fee schedules have been negotiated in
select circumstances, depending on several factors unique to each client, including the client’s
needs/choice, nature, and complexity of the services required.
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TRADITIONAL FEE SCHEDULE:
All fees are based on net assets under management and will be computed on the market value of
net assets under management on the last business day of the preceding quarter. This fee schedule
shall be deemed to be part of the Wealth Management Agreement. The annual management fee
will be calculated as follows and billed and payable in advance quarterly:
1.2500% 1st
$2,000,000
1.0000% next $3,000,000
0.7500% next $5,000,000
0.5000% next $10,000,000
0.2500% next $20,000,000
0.1500% next $20,000,000
0.1000% over $60,000,000
PERFORMANCE FEE SCHEDULE:
MSR requires that clients electing to pay the Performance Fee Schedule be “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. These clients must therefore have at
least $1,100,000 under management with MSR or demonstrate a net worth of at least $2,200,000,
excluding the value of a natural person’s primary residence and including as liability any debt
secured by the primary residence in the 60 days prior or entering into an investment management
contract with MSR.
Management fees
All management fees are based upon net assets under management and will be computed
quarterly on the market value of net assets under management on the last business day of the
preceding quarter. This fee schedule shall be deemed to be part of the Wealth Management
Agreement. The annual management fee will be calculated as follows and billed and payable in
advance on a quarterly basis:
0.7500% 1st
$ 2,000,000
0.6250% Next $ 3,000,000
0.5000% Next $ 5,000,000
0.2500% Next $ 10,000,000
0.1500% Next $ 20,000,000
0.1000% Over $ 40,000,000
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Performance Allocation
MSR will be specifically allocated a percentage of the net profit allocated to the Client based upon
the schedule below:
Assets less than $5M
Assets $5M-$10M
Assets $10-$20M
Assets $20M-$60M
Assets over $60M
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
This performance allocation will be made at the end of each calendar quarter. All performance
allocations are based upon the net profit derived from the Portfolio and will be computed on the
last business day of each quarter based upon the net profit derived during that quarter. To ensure
that the performance allocation is based upon the long-term performance of the Client’s
investment, the performance allocation is subject to a “high water mark.” This limitation prevents
MSR from receiving a performance allocation as to “net” profits that simply “restore” net losses
previously allocated to the Client that have not been recovered (the loss carryforward). When the
Client withdraws capital, any loss carryforward will be adjusted downward in proportion to the
withdrawal.
Performance-based Fee Disclosures
The performance fees were structured with the intent of being fair and reasonable given the client
portfolio results. The annual performance-based fee will be based on a percentage of assets under
management, net profit (including realized and unrealized gains and losses, dividends and
interest, and net of any additions and withdrawals) in a client account during a given calendar
quarter. Clients will be charged the performance fee in arrears at the end of each quarter based
upon the value (market value or fair market value in the absence of market value), of the client's
account at the end on the last day of the previous three-month period. The performance fee will
be calculated on the value of the client account after the management fee is assessed and will be
debited from the account in accordance with the client authorization.
The performance fee component is subject to a “high watermark.” This means that MSR is only
entitled to a performance fee when the quarter-end value of a client’s portfolio exceeds the
accounts previous highest quarter-end value. During periods when the investment portfolio
declines in value or fails to make a new higher market value, MSR is not entitled to a performance
fee.
Clients who elect to terminate their advisory agreements will be charged a fee based on the
performance of the account for the measuring period going back from the termination date and
pro-rated from the date on which the performance-based fee was last assessed.
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Performance-based fees align MSR’s interests with client goals. The performance-based fee also
creates a conflict of interest for MSR between its responsibility to manage the assets for the benefit
of its clients and its interest in maximizing the profits it will receive. For example, the
performance-based fee structure creates an incentive for MSR to recommend investments which
are riskier or more speculative than those which would be recommended under a different fee
arrangement. In addition, this arrangement also creates an incentive for MSR to favor accounts for
which it receives a performance-based fee.
MSR has established policies and procedures to review and monitor client account management
in relation to the above conflict of interest on an ongoing basis. MSR aims to act in the best interests
of its clients, as a fiduciary, and subscribes to managing Traditional Fee and Performance Fee
client accounts in a fair and similar fashion. MSR fully discloses to its clients all material
information regarding this method of compensation and its risks prior to entering into an advisory
contract. Further, MSR manages all client accounts in a manner it deems to be consistent with each
clients’ objectives and in line with MSR’s fiduciary duty to its clients. See Item 6 for more details.
MINIMUM ACCOUNT REQUIREMENTS:
A minimum of $1,000,000 of assets under management is required to open an individual portfolio
management account for Traditional account and $1,100,000 for Performance Based-fees account
with MSR. This minimum account size is negotiable in limited circumstances. an account is
accepted, there are no specific minimum account requirements for maintaining an account.
Further, there are no minimum fee requirements. See Item 6 below for additional disclosures.
GENERAL FEE INFORMATION
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services are (or are not)
available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
Fee Calculations: The valuation of clients’ portfolios is determined and reported by independent
pricing services. The account value will be the total value at the close of business on the last day of
the previous quarter inclusive of any cash, sweep cash, money market funds, interest, dividends,
and gross of any margin balance. Fees are prorated for accounts opened during a quarter. Under
certain circumstances, fees are waived, discounted and or negotiated to non-standard rates. We
could also group certain related client accounts for the purpose of determining the annualized fee.
Further, we may waive or discount advisory fees for family members and friends of the partners
and employees of our firm. These fee waivers or discounts are not generally available to advisory
clients of MSR.
Grandfathering of Minimum Account Requirements and Fees: Pre-existing advisory clients are
subject to MSR’s minimum account requirements and advisory fees in effect at the time the client
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entered into the advisory relationship. Therefore, our firm's fees and minimum account
requirements will differ among clients.
Termination of the Advisory Relationship Thereafter a client agreement may be canceled at any
time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt of written notice. As disclosed above, certain
fees are paid in advance of services provided. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid,
unearned fees will be promptly refunded, and any unpaid fees will be due and payable. In
calculating a client’s reimbursement of fees, we will prorate the reimbursement according to the
number of days remaining in the billing period.
Fund Fees: All fees paid to MSR for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from
the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or ETFs to their shareholders. These fees and
expenses are described in each fund's prospectus. These fees will generally include a management
fee, other fund expenses, and a possible distribution fee. MSR does not actively purchase or
recommend mutual funds.
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible for
certain fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker-dealers, such as,
ordinary trading fees, foreign exchange trading fees, SEC exchange processing fees, custody fees,
trading away from the custodian, incoming Automated Customer Account Transfer Service
(ACAT) fees, Delivery Versus Payment (DVP) fees, overnight delivery fees, and certain wire fees.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in
excess of $1,200 more than six months in advance of services rendered.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
As disclosed in Item 5 of this Brochure, our firm accepts a performance-based fee from certain
clients. Such a performance-based fee is calculated based on a share of capital gains on, or capital
appreciation of, the assets of the client. To qualify for a performance-based fee arrangement, a
client must either demonstrate a net worth of at least $2,200,000 or must have at least $1,100,000
under management immediately after entering into a management agreement with us.
Furthermore, since we also have clients who do not pay performance-based fees, we have an
incentive to favor accounts that do pay such fees because compensation we receive from these
clients is more directly tied to the performance of their accounts. Since we aim at all times to put
the interest of our clients first as part of our fiduciary duty as a registered investment adviser, we
take the following steps to mitigate these conflicts:
1. We disclose to clients the existence of all material conflicts of interest, including the
potential for our firm and employees to earn more compensation from advisory clients who
pay performance-based fees;
2. We collect, maintain and document accurate, complete, and relevant client background
12
information, including the client’s financial goals, objectives, and risk tolerance;
3. Our portfolio managers conduct regular reviews of each client account to verify that all
recommendations made to a client are suitable to that client’s needs and circumstances;
4. We have implemented policies and procedures for fair and consistent allocation of
investment opportunities among all client accounts;
5. We periodically compare holdings and performance of all accounts with similar strategies
to identify significant performance disparities indicative of possible favorable treatment;
6. We periodically review trading frequency and portfolio turnover rates to identify possible
patterns of “window dressing,” “portfolio churning,” or any intent to manipulate trading
to boost performance near the reporting period.
7. We educate our employees regarding the responsibilities of a fiduciary, including the need
for having a reasonable and independent basis for the investment advice provided to
clients and equitable treatment of all clients, regardless of the fee arrangement.
Performance-based fees will only be charged in accordance with the provisions of Rule 205-3 of
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and/or applicable state regulations. Our clients must
understand the performance-based fee method of compensation and its risks prior to entering
into a management contract with us.
Item 7. Types of Clients
MSR provides its advisory services, where appropriate, to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable
organizations, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and other business
entities.
As previously disclosed in Item 5, our firm has established certain initial minimum account
requirements based on the nature of the service(s) being provided.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing
client assets:
Fundamental Analysis: We attempt to gauge the intrinsic value of securities, industries, sectors,
regions, and asset classes by looking at economic and financial factors (including traditional
measures of valuation, the overall economy, industry conditions, and financial conditions) to
determine if a security is underpriced (indicating it may be a good time to buy) or overpriced
(indicating it may be time to sell).
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Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate general market movements. This presents a
potential risk, as the price of a security can move up or down along with the overall market
regardless of the economic and financial factors considered in evaluating a security.
Quantitative Analysis: Quantitative analysis remains a cornerstone of quantitative finance, asset
pricing, return forecasting, risk modeling, and ultimately equity portfolio management. We strive
to decompose equity returns into different components – “Factors” – which allow us to better
understand risk and return in the context of security selection and portfolio construction. We
quantitatively rank how attractive investment opportunities are based on “Factors” such as
valuation, liquidity, profitability to name a few, as an example.
Technical Analysis: Technical analysis involves the analysis of past market movements and the
application of that analysis to the present in an attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor
behavior and to predict future price movement.
Charting and cyclical analysis are types of technical analysis that we use. Charting involves the
review of charts of market and security activity in an attempt to identify when the market is
moving up or down and to predict how long the trend may last and when that trend might
reverse. Cyclical analysis involves measuring the movements of a particular security relative to
the overall market in an attempt to predict the price movement of the security.
Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial conditions of a security. This
presents a risk in that a poorly managed or financially unsound investment can underperform
regardless of market movement.
Using both fundamental and technical analysis, we develop many investment ideas internally
through our Investment Committee. The Committee analyzes and discusses economic conditions,
demographic and macro trends, global market conditions, and specific investment ideas and
opportunities in all asset sectors. These discussions lead the Committee to develop target asset
allocation guidelines for all asset sectors and to strategically alter them over the course of market
and business cycles.
Mutual fund and/or ETF analysis: In cases where a client already owns a mutual fund or whose
portfolio contains an ETF, we look at the experience and track record of the manager of the mutual
fund or ETF in an attempt to determine if that manager has demonstrated an ability to invest over
a period of time and in different economic conditions. We also look at the underlying assets in a
mutual fund or ETF in an attempt to determine if there is a significant overlap in the underlying
investments held in another fund(s) in the client’s portfolio. We also monitor the funds or ETFs
in an attempt to determine if they are continuing to follow their stated investment strategy.
A risk of mutual fund and/or ETF analysis is that, as in all securities investments, past
performance does not guarantee future results. A manager who has been successful may not be
14
able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as we do not control the underlying
investments in a fund or ETF, managers of different funds held by the client may purchase the
same security, increasing the risk to the client if that security were to fall in value. There is also a
risk that a manager may deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy of the fund or
ETF, which could make the holding(s) less suitable for the client’s portfolio.
Risks for all forms of analysis: Our securities analysis methods rely on the assumption that the
companies whose securities we purchase and sell, the rating agencies that review these securities,
and other publicly available sources of information about these securities, are providing accurate
and unbiased data. While we are alert to indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a
risk that our analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or misleading information.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
We use the following strategies in managing client accounts, provided that such strategies are
appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations:
Long-term purchases: We purchase securities with the idea of holding them in the client's account
for a year or longer. Typically, we employ this strategy when:
- we believe the securities to be currently undervalued, and/or
- we want exposure to a particular asset class over time, regardless of the current projection
for this class.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, we
may not take advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if our
predictions are incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value before we make the decision to
sell.
Short-term purchases: MSR very rarely employs the use of short-term trading strategies. When
utilizing this strategy, we purchase securities with the idea of selling them within a relatively
short time (typically a year or less). We do this in an attempt to take advantage of conditions that
we believe will soon result in a price swing in the securities we purchase.
A short-term purchase strategy poses risks should the anticipated price swing not materialize; we
are then left with the option of having a long-term investment in a security that was designed to
be a short-term purchase, or potentially taking a loss.
In addition, this strategy involves more frequent trading than does a longer-term strategy and
will result in increased brokerage and other transaction-related costs, as well as less favorable tax
treatment of short-term capital gains.
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Stop-loss Orders: MSR employs the use of stop-loss orders on certain stocks in each client portfolio
in an effort to mitigate significant losses. These stop-loss orders are placed on shares of companies
the firm believes would do poorly in difficult economic conditions. Though stop-loss orders can
be effective in a market falling at a normal pace, they can pose a risk if markets or individual stocks
fall dramatically within a very short period of time. Once a stop-loss order is executed a market
order is sent to the exchange to sell the shares at the current market price. The actual sale price, in
a fast- moving market, may be less or more than the stop loss order price. To mitigate this risk MSR
places stop loss orders on economically sensitive company shares and often on a portion of a client’s
shares. Additionally, if employing such strategy would create capital gains tax consequences,
clients may direct MSR not to employ the use of stop loss orders.
Asset Allocation: In implementing our clients’ investment strategy, we begin by attempting to
identify an appropriate ratio of equities, fixed income, and cash (i.e., “asset allocation”) suitable to
the client’s investment goals and risk tolerance.
A risk of asset allocation is that the client may not participate in sharp increases in a particular
security, industry, or market sector. Another risk is that the ratio of securities, fixed income, and
cash will change over time due to stock and market movements and, if not corrected, will no
longer be appropriate for the client’s goals.
Margin: As deemed appropriate, MSR will recommend ,that a client establish a margin account
with the client’s custodian to facilitate participation in investment strategies described below.
Selling Stock Short: MSR employs the strategy of selling stocks short only in cases when the firm
believes that a market is likely to decline over a longer time frame. The risk of selling stock short
occurs when markets begin to recover, and the short positions lose value. Due to this risk MSR
usually places stop-loss orders on their short positions. Selling stock short is rarely used by MSR.
Selling short requires use of margin.
Concentrated Stocks Option Strategies: The option strategy is based upon an option overlay
evaluation, trading and execution techniques developed or licensed by the subadvisor,
SpiderRock Advisors and identified and monitored by MSR. SpiderRock Advisors will evaluate
the liquidity of the option market for the underlying concentrated stock position in consultation
with client and MSR. Subadvisor will continually monitor all option positions and will look to
manage the continued rolling forward of positions at maturity or by sale and repurchase of new
positions prior to option maturities, and relies on its evaluation system using it’s internally
developed rules and quantitative analysis to determine when to sell calls and/or purchase puts.
Client accounts enrolled in this strategy will typically include:
Holding concentrated stock position
Sale of Call Options (attempt to generate short term capital gains) against concentrated
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equity position or substitute security or index. Calls may be repurchased prior to maturity
or be allowed to expire at maturity.
Purchase of Protective Put Options – usually laddered over several expiration dates
(attempt to create the limited downside protection) against concentrated equity positions
or substitute security or index. Puts may be repurchased prior to maturity or be allowed
to expire at maturity.
Strategic selling of client concentrated stock position (if elected).
The Strategy may not be able to be deployed in the same manner in either an IRA or a non-IRA
account. However, the Strategy does use options and options can be used to create ‘implied
leverage.’ Implied leverage is when you use an option to control more shares than you could
control just buying the underlying security. The collar does not use options to create implied
leverage. A margin account is required to trade options. Subadvisor is responsible for the placing
of all purchase and sale orders in the Client’s segregated account and providing instructions
concerning the delivery of cash or securities for the settlement of option trades. Client should
consult with their tax advisor to address the income tax consequences of options trading
strategies.
Tax Deferral Strategies: The Direct Equity Active Long Short (“DEALS”) strategy employed by
Quantinno, the subadvisor, uses quantitative models and tools to incorporate personalized
specifications for these investment strategies including the magnitude of tax loss harvesting,
diversification goals, choice of benchmark, and choice of funding method. The subadvisor takes
active long and short equity positions based on the subadvisor’s internally developed quantitative
return forecasting models and systematic investment processes. A margin account is required to
implement DEALS. The subadvisor implements an ongoing system of harvesting tax losses while
deferring gains.
GENERAL RISKS
Risk of Loss. Securities investments are not guaranteed, and you may lose some or all of your
money on your investments. Such investments are subject to investment-specific price
fluctuations as well as to macro-economic, market and industry-specific conditions, including, but
not limited to, national and international economic conditions, domestic and international
financial policies and performance, conditions affecting particular investments such as the
financial viability, sales and product lines of corporate issues, national and international politics
and government events, and changes in income tax laws. In addition, MSR’s ability to vary their
investments portfolios in response to changing economic, financial, and investment conditions
may be limited. All investors should be prepared to bear these risks. No guarantee or
representation is made that investments will be successful, and investment results may vary
substantially over time. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. We ask
that you work with us to help us understand your tolerance for risk.
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Reliance on MSR. MSR will make decisions with respect to the management and disposition of
any managed assets. Clients will also not have the opportunity to evaluate personally the relevant
economic, financial, and other information which will be utilized by MSR in its selection,
monitoring, and disposition of investments of the managed assets. In addition, clients may not
receive financial information which may be available to MSR. Consequently, the success of the
investment strategies will depend substantially on the skill and expertise of MSR in selecting
investments for clients.
Cybersecurity Risk. MSR and its service providers on whom it relies depend on complex
information technology and communications systems to conduct business functions. These
systems are subject to a number of different threats or risks that could adversely affect clients and
their managed assets, despite the effort MSR and its service providers adopt in technologies,
processes, and practices intended to mitigate these risks and protect the security of their computer
systems, software, networks, and other technology assets, as well the confidentiality, integrity, and
availability of information belonging to the clients and/or their investors. For example,
unauthorized third parties may attempt to access, modify, disrupt the operations of or prevent
access to these systems of MSR and/or its service providers on whom MSR relies for data within
these systems. Third parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers, third-
party service providers, or other users of systems to disclose sensitive information and gain access
to MSR’s data or that of its clients. A successful penetration of the security of MSR’s systems or its
service providers on whom MSR relies on could result in the loss or theft of a client’s data or funds,
the inability to access electronic systems, loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data,
physical damage to a computer or network system or costs associated with system repairs. Such
an incidence could cause MSR or its service providers on whom it relies on to incur regulatory
penalties, reputational damage additional compliance costs, or financial loss.
Business Continuity Risk. MSR has adopted a business continuation strategy to maintain critical
functions in the event of a partial or total building outage affecting our offices or a technical
problem affecting applications, data centers, or networks. The recovery strategies are designed to
limit the impact on clients from any business interruption or disaster. Nevertheless, our ability to
conduct business can be curtailed by a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our
operations.
Public Health Risk. MSR could be materially adversely affected by the widespread outbreak of
infectious disease or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health
crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, together with any containment or other remedial
measures undertaken or imposed, could cause significant interruptions in the operations of MSR.
Market Disruptions; Governmental Intervention. In the recent past, the global financial markets have
gone through fundamental disruptions that have led to extensive and unprecedented
governmental intervention. These interventions have in certain cases been implemented on an
emergency basis, suddenly and substantially eliminating market participants’ ability to
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implement certain strategies or manage the risk of their outstanding positions. In addition, these
interventions have typically been unclear in scope and application, resulting in confusion and
uncertainty, which has been detrimental to the efficient functioning of the markets as well as
previously successful investment strategies. Managed assets may incur major losses in the event
of disrupted markets and other extraordinary events which could negatively affect underlying
investment exit strategies.
Equity Risks. Investments in public or private companies or in exchange-traded funds that expose
investors to the equity markets are subject to a risk of significant capital loss due to the
unpredictable nature of corporate earnings and the uncertainty of capital markets in general.
Fixed income Risks. Investments in bonds, credit, and other types of fixed income-like securities are
subject to a variety of risks including credit risk or the risk of default of the issuer, interest rate risk
or the risk of a decline in value due to changes in interest rates, and reinvestment risk or the risk
that proceeds from a fixed income security will be reinvested later at lower interest rates.
Inflation Risks. Certain investments are subject to the risk that the purchasing power of an
investor’s assets will be reduced over time due to inflation.
Foreign Country Risk. Certain investments are subject to a risk associated with investing in
securities issued by entities or corporations outside the United States. Foreign issuers are subject
to a host of geopolitical, economic, and currency uncertainties which make those securities
inherently risky.
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Investing Risk. Upon client request, MSR considers
ESG factors when managing client assets. Such assets could underperform similar strategies that
do not take into account ESG factors. Specifically, the use of ESG factors could result in selling or
avoiding investments that subsequently perform well or making investments that substantially
underperform.
Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETF”) Risks. Investing in an ETF exposes an investor to all of the risks
that ETF’s investments and subjects it to a pro-rate (d) portion of that ETF’s fees and expenses. As
a result, the cost of investing in ETF shares may exceed the costs of investing directly in its
underlying investments. ETF shares trade on an exchange at a market price that may vary from the
ETF’s net asset value. ETF’s may be purchased at prices that exceed the net asset value of their
underlying investments and may be sold at prices below such net asset value. Because the market
price of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market for them, the market price of an ETF may
be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track, and an
investor may not be able to liquidate ETF holdings at the time and price desired, which may
impact the investment performance.
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Counterparty Risk. The Firm and/or its Clients may be subject to credit risk with respect to the
counterparties to instruments entered into directly by the Clients or held by the Clients’
underlying investments. The Funds will also be subject to the risk that a counterparty may become
unwilling or unable to meet its obligations prior to settlement. The Clients may also be exposed
to the credit risk of counterparties through a wide range of activities that occur in the normal
course of the activities of the Clients, including through service providers, banks, brokers,
insurance providers, trading counterparties, co-investors, portfolio companies, prospective
portfolio companies, or other entities that the Clients will have financial exposure to. If a
counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a contract due
to financial difficulties, the Clients may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery
under the contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Clients may obtain
only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Firm is not restricted
from dealing with any particular counterparty or from concentrating any or all of its transactions
with a single counterparty. The ability of the Firm to transact business with any one or number of
counterparties, the lack of any independent evaluation of such counterparties’ financial
capabilities, and the absence of a regulated market to facilitate settlement may increase the
potential for losses by the Clients, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
Custody Risk. The Firm is required to maintain certain Client assets at a qualified custodian. Clients
may incur a loss on securities and funds held in custody in the event of a custodian’s or sub-
custodian’s insolvency, negligence, fraud, poor administration, or inadequate recordkeeping.
Custodial assets maintained at a bank do not typically become part of a failed bank’s estate;
however, the Firm’s operations could be impacted by the bank’s insolvency in that there may be
a delay in trade settlement, delivery of securities, or other similar circumstance. Establishing
multiple custodial relationships could mitigate custodial risk in the event of a bank failure.
Bank Deposits Risk. Deposits maintained at a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)
insured bank are covered up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account
ownership category, in the event of a bank failure. Any deposits over $250,000 in cash at a single
bank may be lost in the event that the bank fails. Further diversifying banking relationships could
serve to minimize the potential uncertainty and destabilizing effect on the Firm’s operations due
to concern regarding the financial viability of a single banking institution. In addition, valuation
of companies may experience significant price declines, volatility, and liquidity concerns as a
result of short- and long-term financing to continue operations at normal levels.
Concentrated Stocks Option Strategies Risk Factors: In an attempt to manage the risk of options trades,
Subadvisor employs quantitative probability analysis based upon market volatility information
or other options investment techniques.
Normally, call options sold will be at various "out of the money" (above current price of security)
execution or strike prices and different maturities ranging from three to six to nine months. The
sale of call options against the underlying stock position generates premium income. This
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strategy, however, effectively caps the upside market appreciation of the stock position if its price
rises above the option strike price before option maturity. Client understands and acknowledges
that this strategy may result in reduced or limited participation in future appreciation of the
concentrated stock position. Client also acknowledges and understands that call options will be
assigned, meaning part or all of their underlying stock positions could be sold to generate cash to
settle options at maturity resulting in the realization of taxable gains. Client also understands that
American-style options can be exercised early, requiring the client to sell the specified number of
shares of the underlying stock to the buyer of the call option at the time of the exercise.
While Advisor or Subadvisor will attempt to manage all options positions to enhance portfolio
returns and protect against assignment and the realization of taxable gains and will also attempt
to purchase shares for short settlement as described above in the event of assignment, Client
acknowledges their understanding that no assurances can be made that such taxable gains will
not occur.
With respect to certain Client accounts, it can become necessary to sell a portion of the underlying
stock positions to satisfy expected tax liability, post margin or purchase additional options. The
Collar approach will purchase put options on an ongoing basis with the goal of providing partial
protection based upon the risk, cost, and duration criteria to be determined upon the
implementation of the strategy by the Client and as such can be adjusted going forward. The
Collar will attempt to balance the call option premium over time versus put option expense. Client
understands and acknowledges that the relationship between price movements of securities and
various put and call options on the same security can vary greatly and that no assurances are
made that the perceived protection to be provided when a put option is purchased will actually
result. In addition, declines in portfolio values can result even when the stock price is stable or
rising due to the decline of option values as they decay in value as they approach maturity.
Maintaining the desired level of protection through time will require an occasional rebalancing of
the option positions. Depending on client’s access to margin account, option trading level
permissions and extreme market conditions, rebalancing transactions can cause the client to
temporarily deviate from the target level of protection. The decision to engage in the Collar
Strategy permits Subadvisor to purchase Put options. The Collar approach will not always
purchase put options on an ongoing basis but selectively with the goal of providing partial
protection based upon the risk, cost, and duration criteria to be determined upon the
implementation of the strategy and as such will be adjusted going forward. The goal of the Collar
is to provide selective, partial protection against large declines in value of the underlying security
while attempting to provide a positive net income of call option premium overtime versus put
option expense. A Collar strategy involves applying the income generated through the sale of call
options to pay for the desired level of put protection. Client understands and acknowledges that
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the relationship between price movements of securities and various put and call options on the
same security can vary greatly and that no assurances can be made that the perceived protection
to be provided when a put option is purchased will actually result. Put options are often more
expensive than comparable call options. As a result, the sale of call options (risking the loss of part
of or all of potential price appreciation of the security) to generate premium income often does
not result in enough income to pay for the put protection on the entire stock position. In addition,
declines in portfolio values can result even when the stock price is stable or rising due to the
decline of option values as they decay in value as they approach maturity.
Options change the risk profile of the portfolio. The sale of Call options may effectively cap the
total upside of the Stock position, entail possible loss of principal in a rising market and can offset
gains in the long Stock position. The purchase of Puts entails an expense and can be a drag on
portfolio returns.
Tax Deferral Strategies Risk Factors: Algorithmic active trading presents the risk of large, immediate
losses. Automated trading systems, no matter how convenient or efficient, do not reduce risks
associated with active trading. There can be no guarantee that the software and automated trading
systems will achieve their intended objectives.
The subadvisor can invest a portion of clients’ assets in the securities of companies with small-to-
medium- sized capitalizations. These securities, particularly those of smaller-capitalization
companies, involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in securities of larger
companies.
The subadvisor engages in short selling on behalf of clients. Short selling transactions expose the
clients to the risk of loss in an amount greater than the initial investment, and such losses can
increase rapidly and without effective limit. There is the risk that the securities borrowed by the
clients in connection with a short sale would need to be returned to the securities lender on short
notice. If such request for return of securities occurs at a time when other short sellers of the subject
security are receiving similar requests, a “short squeeze” can occur, wherein the clients might be
compelled, at the most disadvantageous time, to replace the borrowed securities previously sold
short with purchases on the open market, possibly at prices significantly in excess of the proceeds
received earlier.
While the strategy seeks to improve after-tax outcomes, there is no guarantee tax-loss harvesting
will be successful. Unwinding the strategy may result in capital gains therefore the client could
be incentivized to remain in the strategy. Tax results will vary based on individual client
circumstances and changes in tax laws, regulations, or interpretations.
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Item 9. Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client's or
prospective client's evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management. Our
firm and our management personnel have no reportable disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Please refer to Item 5 and Item 14 for additional information on other Financial Industry Activities
and Affiliations.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
CODE OF ETHICS
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth high ethical standards of business conduct
that we require of our employees, including compliance with applicable federal securities laws.
MSR and our personnel owe a duty of loyalty, fairness, and good faith to our clients, and have an
obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of the Code of Ethics but to the general
principles that guide the Code.
MSR’s Code of Ethics includes the firm's policy prohibiting the use of material non-public
information. While we do not believe that we have any particular access to non-public
information, all employees are reminded that such information may not be used in a personal or
professional capacity.
Our Code of Ethics requires that anyone associated with this advisory practice with access to
advisory recommendations, client holdings, or other specified information (“access persons”)
provide annual securities holdings reports and quarterly transaction reports of all reportable
transactions to the firm's designated officer. These reports are made available to an appropriate
regulatory agency upon request and will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Chief Compliance
Officer (“CCO”) of MSR, or their designee, to supervise compliance with the firm's Code of Ethics.
Our Code also contains oversight, enforcement, and recordkeeping provisions. A copy of our
Code of Ethics is available to our advisory clients and prospective clients. You may request a copy
by email to team@ms-research.com , or by telephone at (415) 289-1010.
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SUMMARY OF PERSONAL TRADING POLICY
Our firm and the individuals associated with our firm could buy or sell securities for their personal
accounts that are identical to or different from those recommended to our clients. In addition, the
firm and these individuals could have an interest or position in a security which may also be
recommended to a client. As all these situations represent actual or potential conflicts of interest
with our clients, we have taken the following steps to assure that (i) the personal securities
transactions of our employees will not interfere with making and implementing decisions in the
best interest of our advisory clients, (ii) our firm complies with its regulatory obligations, and (iii)
we provide our clients with full and fair disclosure of such conflicts of interest:
1. Prohibiting the firm, its partners, and employees from:
a. Putting their own interest above the interest of an advisory client;
b. Buying or selling securities for their personal portfolio(s) where their decision is a
result of information received as a result of his or her employment unless the
information is also available to the investing public.
c. Purchasing or selling any security in their personal portfolio(s) 3- calendar days
prior to or 3-calendar days after (“blackout period”) a transaction(s) in the same
securities being implemented for an advisory client unless the personal trade falls
within MSR’s “de minimis” exemption. Trades covered by the “de minimis”
exemption are still subject to all other requirements of MSR’s Code of Ethics and
may apply only if the following requirements apply: 1) The transaction or
aggregated transactions must be for the purchase or sale of 5,000 shares or less every
30 days; 2) The issuer of the securities must have a market capitalization of at least
$1 billion; and 3) The transaction must be free from any actual and/or apparent
conflicts of interest. If the transaction does not meet the “de minimus” exemption,
the black-out period described above will apply and employees must obtain pre-
approval from the CCO or their designee. Pre-approval requests in a security that
has been purchased or sold in a client account during the blackout period, or that is
listed on MSR’s “watch list,” will be denied. After a request for preclearance is
approved, the compliance designee will cross-reference the employee’s trading
against client portfolio trades for 3-calendar days. If there is a trade in a client
account in the same security during that 3-day timeframe, the CCO will investigate
and may require the employee to submit a written explanation of the circumstances
surrounding the transaction. If the CCO is not satisfied that the employee affected
his or her trade without knowledge of the impending managed portfolio
transaction, the employee may be required to submit a trade to reverse the
transaction, forfeit any resulting gains, and absorb any resulting financial and/or tax
consequences based on the investigation and decision of the CCO. The blackout
policy shall not apply to any trades triggered by stop-loss orders originally placed
outside the blackout period.
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2. Our firm requires prior approval from our CCO for investment by our partners and
employees in an initial public offering (IPO), a private placement, and certain publicly
traded securities.
3. We maintain a list of all reportable securities holdings for our firm, our partners, and our
employees who are access persons. These holdings are reviewed on a quarterly basis by
our firm's CCO, or their designee, to verify compliance with this personal trading policy.
4. We have established procedures for the maintenance of all required books and records.
5. We require our partners and employees to act in accordance with all applicable Federal
and State regulations governing registered investment advisory practices.
6. We provide a copy of the Code of Ethics on an annual basis to the partners and employees
of our firm. Each employee acknowledges the Code in writing and agrees to be bound by
it.
7. We have established policies requiring the reporting of Code of Ethics violations to our
CCO.
8. Any individual who violates any of the above restrictions is subject to penalties, up to and
including termination.
PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS
MSR and individuals associated with our firm are prohibited from engaging in principal
transactions. A principal transaction is a transaction where MSR or a person associated with MSR,
as principal, buys securities from, or sells securities to, an MSR client.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
BROKERAGE DISCRETION
MSR typically uses the brokerage and platform services of Schwab Institutional, a division of
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. (US Bank)), for its
advisory accounts. Both Schwab and US Bank are FINRA-member broker-dealers and SIPC
members. Schwab and US Bank provide MSR with access to their institutional trading and
custody services.
MSR is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab or US Bank. Schwab
or US Bank will hold your assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when we
instruct them to. While we require that you use Schwab or US Bank as custodian/broker you will
be entering into an account agreement directly with them. Although we are not required to
execute all trades through Schwab, we have determined that having Schwab execute most trades
is consistent with our duty to seek “best execution” of your trades. Best execution means the most
favorable terms for a transaction based on all relevant factors and not necessarily the lowest price
available as takes qualitative factors into consideration as well. By using another broker or dealer,
you may pay lower transaction costs. Schwab and US Bank are compensated on uninvested cash
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through cash sweep programs that will pay clients a nominal rate which may be significantly
lower than the federal funds rate.
These platform services are not contingent upon our firm committing to Schwab or US Bank any
specific amount of business (assets in custody or trading commissions). Schwab’s and US Bank’s
brokerage services include the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, and access
to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional
investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment.
Through Schwab’s referral program, MSR receives access to Schwab Advisor Services, an
institutional support team at no additional cost to MSR or the client. The receipt of support
services gives MSR an incentive to recommend that its clients’ accounts be held at Schwab. MSR
recognizes this potential conflict of interest but believes its clients’ interests are well-served with
custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab.
For our client accounts maintained in their custody, Schwab and US Bank generally do not charge
separately for custody services and as of October 2019 ceased from being compensated
commissions by account holders on equity trades. Other transaction-related fees exist for
securities trades that are executed through Schwab or US Bank or that settle into the accounts.
Schwab and US Bank also make available other products and services that benefit MSR but may
not directly benefit our clients’ accounts. Many of these products and services may be used to
service all or some substantial number of our client accounts, including accounts not maintained
at Schwab or US Bank. These products and services that assist us in managing and administering
our clients’ accounts include software and other technology that:
facilitate payment of our fees from clients’ accounts; and
- provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements);
-
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
- provide research, pricing, and other market data;
-
- assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting.
Schwab and US Bank also offer other services intended to help us manage and further develop
our business enterprise. These services may include:
compliance, legal and business consulting;
- educational conferences, and events;
-
- publications and conferences on practice management and business succession; and
- access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants and insurance providers.
Schwab and US Bank will also make available, arrange and/or pay third-party vendors for the
types of services rendered to MSR. Schwab and US Bank may discount or waive fees it would
otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party
providing these services to our firm.
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We have no formal or informal soft dollar arrangements with Schwab or any other broker-dealer.
Neither Schwab nor US Bank provides us with any specific proprietary research or other
specialized services other than what is otherwise made available by them to the other investment
advisers that use their platform services.
We receive client referrals from Schwab through our participation in the Schwab Advisor
Network (“the Service”). The Service is designed to help investors find an independent
investment adviser. As mentioned above, Schwab is a FINRA-member broker-dealer
independent of and unaffiliated with MSR. Schwab does not supervise MSR and has no
responsibility for MSR’s management of client portfolios or other advice or services. MSR pays
Schwab fees to receive client referrals through the Service.
MSR pays Schwab a “Participation Fee” on all referred clients’ accounts that are maintained in
custody at Schwab and a “Non-Schwab Custody Fee” on all accounts that are maintained at, or
transferred to, another custodian. The Participation Fee paid by MSR is a percentage of the
advisory fees the client owes to MSR or a percentage of the value of the assets in the client’s
account, subject to a minimum Participation Fee.
MSR pays Schwab the Participation Fee for as long as the referred client’s account remains in
custody at Schwab. The Participation Fee is billed to MSR quarterly and may be increased,
decreased, or waived by Schwab from time to time.
The Participation Fee is paid by MSR and not by the client. MSR has agreed not to charge clients
referred through the Service, fees or costs greater than the fees or costs MSR charges clients with
similar portfolios who were not referred through the Service.
MSR generally pays Schwab a Non-Schwab Custody Fee if custody of a referred client’s account
is not maintained by, or assets in the account are transferred from, Schwab. This fee does not
apply if the client was solely responsible for the decision not to maintain custody at Schwab. The
Non-Schwab Custody Fee is a one-time payment equal to a percentage of the assets placed with
a custodian other than Schwab. The Non-Schwab Custody Fee is higher than the Participation
Fees MSR generally would pay in a single year. Thus, MSR will have an incentive to recommend
that client accounts be held in custody at Schwab.
The Participation and Non-Schwab Custody Fees will be based on assets in accounts of MSR’s
clients who were referred by Schwab and those referred clients’ family members living in the
same household. Thus, MSR will have incentives to encourage household members of clients
referred through the Service to maintain custody of their accounts and execute transactions at
Schwab and to instruct Schwab to debit MSR’s fees directly from the accounts for ease of
managing all clients utilizing the tools available to clients custodied with Schwab thereby MSR
considers to be a benefit to its clients.
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SUMMARY OF TRADE AGGREGATION POLICY
MSR will aggregate (i.e., block) trades where possible and when advantageous to clients. This
blocking of trades permits the trading of aggregate blocks of securities composed of assets from
multiple client accounts. Block trading allows us to execute equity trades in a timelier, more
equitable manner, at an average share price. MSR will typically aggregate trades among clients
whose accounts can be traded at a given broker. MSR’s block trading policy and procedures are
as follows:
1. Trades may be aggregated where it is more timely, efficient, and equitable to those clients
participating in a trade in the same security.
2. Transactions for any client account may not be aggregated for execution if the practice is
prohibited by or inconsistent with the client's advisory agreement with MSR, or our firm's
order allocation policy.
3. The portfolio manager must determine that the purchase or sale of the particular security
involved is appropriate for the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives
and with any investment guidelines or restrictions applicable to the client's account.
4. The portfolio manager must reasonably believe that the order aggregation will enable MSR
to seek best execution for each client participating in the aggregated order. This requires a
good faith judgment at the time the order is placed for execution. It does not mean that the
determination made in advance of the transaction must always prove to have been correct
in the light of a "20-20 hindsight" perspective. Best execution includes the duty to seek the
best quality of execution, as well as the best net price.
5. Aggregated (block) trades are sent as market orders (not limit orders) and are always filled
regardless of price. However, adjustments to the allocations are made due to tax
considerations, to avoid having fractional shares held in any client account, or to avoid
excessive ticket charges in smaller accounts.
6. In determining allocations for smaller accounts or accounts with small initial allocation,
the firm employs a de minimus exception. This exception serves to allow smaller accounts
to receive their entire allocation before larger accounts are given their pro-rata amount, in
order to minimize the transaction costs involved with a series of small allocations.
7. In cases where the final pricing on an aggregated trade results in the overspending in a
particular account, the firm’s policy is to sell overweight positions to bring the account in line,
while covering the cash shortfall with the proceeds; if that is not possible, the firm will break
the trade.
8. The firm trades utilizes a trade order management system to calculate the allocations and
percentages.
9. Generally, each client that participates in the aggregated order must do so at the average
price for all separate transactions made to fill the order. Each participating account has its
own set commission costs based on its arrangement with its broker. Transaction costs may
be charged as a fixed, per-trade fee or a fee based on the number of shares traded for each
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individual client’s agreement with the applicable
client (depending upon the
custodian/broker).
10. In daily trading, a group of client trades is entered based on a position size determined by
client assets and tactical weight. For example, a client with $1M assets under management
(AUM) who is 80% stock will have $16,000 positions (based on 50 positions per portfolio).
Once most or all of that day’s trades are entered, the “like” trades (same position, same
broker) are merged together and sent to each respective broker as a block trade in our
master account. Accounts are audited to ensure no negative balances and the pre-allocation
file is created when the trades are merged. Where possible, we attempt to move the shares
into another account owned by the same client. Once this audit is complete, the allocation
file is sent to the broker to allocate. Trading in this manner ensures that all included clients
receive the identical fill price per share. Fill price may vary among brokers.
11. In the rare event that MSR buys or sells a security that lacks sufficient volume to efficiently
sell a block of stock at the current market price, block orders will be executed in phases
and possibly over days in an effort to obtain the best pricing. This can result in segments
of clients getting different pricing for securities. We use several methods to achieve the
goal of best pricing in a manner that does not favor one client over another which may
include: 1) random selection of accounts; 2) client tactical weighting considerations (i.e.,
group by client stock exposure requirements); 3) accounts taxable status; or 4) alphabetical
order.
12. When the investment policy committee makes a decision to enter into a new position or
exit from a position, we run an “allocation strategy.” We select a group of clients and either
buy a percentage of their tactical weight in the new position (typically 2%, i.e. client has
$1M and should be 80% stock, they should own $800,000 in stock, 2% of which is $16,000,
again based on 50 stocks per portfolio) or sell a position or all (typically 50% or 100%) of
the existing position. The “allocation strategy” feature automatically determines how
many shares to buy or sell per client and “blocks” the trades for submission to the brokers.
Once the trades are filled, we again audit for negatives or tax considerations, and once
resolved, send the allocation files to the brokers. This procedure ensures that each included
client receives the same fill price. Fill price may vary among brokers.
13. No client or account will be favored over another.
TRADE ERROR POLICY
MSR requires that its personnel carefully implement investment management decisions.
Nevertheless, if a trade error occurs, it is MSR’s policy that the error be corrected as soon as
possible and in such a manner that the affected client is not disadvantaged and bears no loss.
MSR’s policy prohibits its staff from requesting a broker-dealer to accept financial responsibility
for a trade error caused by MSR’s personnel in exchange for the promise of future compensation
through commissions.
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Item 13. Review of Accounts
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Reviews: While the underlying securities within client accounts are continually monitored, these
accounts are reviewed at least weekly by James E. Demmert, Managing Partner and CIO, and our
investment policy committee. The committee consists of advisors, an analyst, and a financial
specialist from the MSR team who evaluate and apply the latest financial research and develop
the firm’s investment policies and guidelines for its clients. The committee meets regularly and
discusses current news and market conditions that assist them in outlining potential risks and
opportunities – all with our clients’ long-term needs as the focal point. Our client accounts are
reviewed in the context of each client's stated investment objectives and guidelines. More frequent
reviews are triggered by material changes in variables such as the client's individual
circumstances, or the market, political or economic environment.
Review of our client’s financial plans will typically occur on an annual basis or upon client
request.
Reports: In addition to the monthly statements and confirmations of transactions that clients
receive from their broker-dealer/custodian, we provide quarterly reports summarizing account
performance, balances, and holdings.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
It is our policy not to accept or allow our related persons to accept any form of compensation,
including cash, sales awards, or other prizes, from a non-client in conjunction with the advisory
services we provide to our clients. Please see Item 12 as it pertains to the SAN referral program.
MSR occasionally receives potential new client referrals from its existing clients and offers a $250
economic benefit such as gift cards or other gesture of appreciation for a client referral resulting in
a new client relationship.
Item 15. Custody
All clients’ accounts are held in custody by unaffiliated broker/dealers, but MSR can access many
client accounts through its ability to debit advisory fees. For this reason, MSR is considered to
have constructive custody of client assets. As part of this billing process, the client's custodian is
advised of the amount of the fee to be deducted from that client's account. On at least a quarterly
basis, the custodian is required to send to the client a statement showing all transactions within the
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account during the reporting period. Clients are encouraged to compare those statements to any
account information or quarterly reports provided by MSR.
MSR is deemed to have constructive custody of client assets because we accept Standing Letters
of Authorization from our clients which allows us to facilitate the transfer of funds to third parties
identified by our clients. At all times we intend to comply with the SEC’s No-Action Letter Dated
02/21/2017 which provides exemptive relief from the surprise audit requirements of the SEC’s
Custody Rule.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
Clients hire us to provide discretionary portfolio management services. We place trades in a
client’s account without obtaining specific client permission prior to each trade. Our discretionary
authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
- Determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
- Determine the amount of the security to buy or sell.
Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary advisory agreement with
our firm and may limit this authority by giving us written or verbal instructions. Clients may also
change/amend such limitations by once again providing us with written instructions.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
MSR has assumed responsibility for voting proxies on behalf of clients granted pursuant to its
wealth management agreement with the client. And in relation to assets sub-advised by
SpiderRock Advisors, MSR has delegated its authority to the subadvisor to vote proxies for
securities it sub-advises using an options focused proxy voting strategy. Alternatively, clients
have the option to choose to receive, and vote proxies related to their own accounts. In these
circumstances, we will consult with clients regarding the proxy vote upon request. With respect
to ERISA accounts, we will vote proxies unless the plan documents specifically reserve the plan
sponsor’s right to vote proxies. To direct us to vote a proxy in a particular manner, clients should
contact our office by telephone, electronic mail, or in writing.
Absent specific client instructions, MSR generally votes in line with third-party proxy research
provided by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS). MSR has contracted with ISS to support
the firm’s proxy management needs and has engaged ISS’ end-to-end proxy voting services which
include ISS’ proxy voting guidelines (standard market-based and Benchmark guidelines). MSR
has the responsibility for oversight of the third-party service provider and for ensuring that proxies
are voted in the best interest of clients. When we have the discretion to vote proxies for our clients,
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we or the third party will vote those proxies in the best interests of our clients and in accordance
with our established policies and procedures now based on ISS’ proxy voting guidelines.
However, if MSR does not agree with a recommended vote by ISS the firm may instruct ISS to vote
otherwise and in the best interest of the client. Our firm will retain all proxy voting books and
records for the requisite period of time, including a copy of each proxy statement received, a
record of each vote cast, a copy of any document created by us that was material to making a
decision on how to vote proxies, and a copy of each written client request for information on how
the adviser voted proxies. Prior to voting, MSR or the third-party service provider verifies
whether an actual or potential conflict of interest with MSR exists in connection with the subject
proposal(s) to be voted upon. The determination regarding the presence or absence of any actual
or potential conflict of interest is documented. If our firm has a conflict of interest in voting a
particular action, we will notify clients of the conflict and obtain client consent before voting the
proxy.
Clients may obtain a copy of our complete proxy voting policies and procedures by contacting
our office directly. Clients may request, in writing, information on how proxies for his/her shares
were voted. If any client requests a copy of our complete proxy policies and procedures or how
we voted proxies for his/her account(s), we will promptly provide such information to the client.
MSR has retained third-party Class Action Service Provider (SP), Eleventh, to assist clients in the
recovery of claims from class action securities lawsuits. This SP charges a 20% contingency fee
which is deducted from any settlement before proceeds are distributed to clients.
The SP will review available historical client records and make filings for open cases. Clients are
automatically included in this service but may Opt-Out by providing written notice to MSR. If a
client prefers to Opt-Out, MSR and the SP will not monitor class action filings for that client.
Item 18. Financial Information
Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1,200 per client
more than six months in advance of services rendered. Therefore, we are not required to include
a financial statement.
As an advisory firm that maintains discretionary authority for client accounts, we are also
required to disclose any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet
our contractual obligations. MSR has no additional financial circumstances to report and has
never been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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