Overview
Assets Under Management: $341 million
High-Net-Worth Clients: 76
Average Client Assets: $8 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (OAK GROVE CAPITAL, LLC FORM ADV PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $10,000,000 | 1.20% |
| $10,000,001 | $12,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $12,000,001 | and above | 0.70% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $12,000 | 1.20% |
| $5 million | $60,000 | 1.20% |
| $10 million | $120,000 | 1.20% |
| $50 million | $406,000 | 0.81% |
| $100 million | $756,000 | 0.76% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 76
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 93.24
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $8 million
Total Client Accounts: 318
Discretionary Accounts: 318
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 165465
Last Filing Date: 2024-07-16 00:00:00
Website: https://oakgrovecapital.net
Form ADV Documents
Additional Brochure: OAK GROVE CAPITAL, LLC FORM ADV PART 2A (2025-05-23)
View Document Text
Item 1 – Cover Page
Oak Grove Capital, LLC
11 Atlantic Avenue
N o r t h H a m p t o n , N H 0 3 8 6 2 - 2 3 0 5
412-515-8899
Firm Website Address:
www.oakgrovecapital.net
May 23, 2025
Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Oak Grove
Capital, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us by
telephone at 412-515-8899 or email at info@oakgrovecapital.net. 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.
Oak Grove Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser with
the SEC does not imply any particular level of skill or training. The oral and written communication of
an investment adviser will provide you with information based on which you determine to hire or
retain the adviser.
Additional information about Oak Grove Capital, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 2 – Material Changes
Our last annual amendment was filed on March 26, 2025.
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Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 3 – Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ 3
Item 4 – Advisory Business ...................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................................... 6
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ............................................. 7
Item 7 – Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................... 7
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ..................................... 7
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ...................................................................................................... 12
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................................. 12
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and .................. 12
Personal Trading ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................................. 13
Item 13 – Review of Portfolios ............................................................................................................. 15
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................... 15
Item 15 – Custody ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ......................................................................................................... 17
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ....................................................................................................... 17
Item 18 – Financial Information ......................................................................................................... 17
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Oak Grove Capital, LLC (“Oak Grove” or the “Firm”) is a limited liability company organized under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 22, 2010. The Firm’s principal place of business
is located at 11 Atlantic Avenue, North Hampton, NH 03862. Mr. Mark G. Visnic is the Managing
Principal of Oak Grove and is the principal owner of the Firm.
Oak Grove currently offers discretionary investment advisory services to various types of clients,
including individuals, high net worth individuals, and business entities. Oak Grove may employ
different strategies in providing investment advice depending primarily on the type of client, the
client’s risk tolerance, and the client’s investment objectives. Oak Grove will tailor each portfolio to
individual client needs and construct an individual investment plan within the client’s parameters. The
Firm will generally construct client portfolios consisting of individual stocks, derivates, bonds, and to
a lesser extent, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds, and other public and private securities
or investments.
Oak Grove’s comprehensive portfolio management services encompass asset management. While Oak
Grove provides financial planning/consulting to clients it does not charge any fee for such service. Oak
Grove may offer advice on a variety of investments, including stocks, derivatives, bonds, exchange
traded funds, domestic pooled investment vehicles (i.e., mutual funds or closed end funds) and
alternative investments, such as hedge funds, private placements, investments in real estate, venture
and post venture capital companies, exchange traded funds (“ETF”), options, and private equity
investments. Certain portfolio allocations may not constitute a fully diversified or balanced portfolio
that is suitable for all of a client’s assets. The client’s individual investment strategy is tailored to the
client’s specific needs and may include some or all of the previously mentioned securities and financial
instruments.
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held
in the portfolio. However, restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may
not be possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing a portfolio.
Client portfolios are actively managed, and reviewed with clients upon their request. The Firm
maintains a close working relationship with its clients to respond effectively to major market or
economic events, or to changes in a client’s investment risk tolerance and life circumstances. For
additional information on review of portfolios, please see Item 13.
All investment management activities and recommendations are provided directly by Oak Grove. The
Firm does not engage third party asset managers to manage client assets.
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable which are laws governing retirement
accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a
special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours.
Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent
advice);
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• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal
advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best
interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
As of December 31, 2024, the Firm managed approximately $616,226,706 in client assets on a
discretionary basis. The Firm does not manage client assets on a non-discretionary basis.
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Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Oak Grove provides investment management services on a fee-only basis pursuant to a comprehensive
portfolio management agreement (the “advisory agreement”) generally terminable by either party with
not more than 30-days prior written notice. Investment management fees are payable quarterly, in
advance, and are based on a percentage of the market value of assets under management on the last
day of the previous quarter for a particular client.
Assets Under Management
Annual Percentage of Assets Charge
Up to $10,000,000
1.20%
$10,000,001 to $12,000,000
1.00%
Over $12,000,000
0.70%
* Oak Grove may waive, reduce, or rebate fees with respect to specific clients in its sole discretion.
Oak Grove charges an investment management fee to clients for employer provided (i.e., 401(k) or
403(b)) defined contribution plan assets. For these discretionary services, the Firm charges a fee of
0.75% of the plan’s assets.
Clients should be aware that the Firm’s advisory fees may be higher or lower than those normally
charged by other investment advisers for comparable advisory services. There may be other investment
advisers who can provide comparable types of advisory services at a higher or lower advisory fee rate.
Fees will generally be automatically deducted from the client’s account based on the client’s
authorization to directly debit fees from such accounts in accordance with the terms of the advisory
agreement. Management fees are prorated for each capital contribution made during the applicable
month. Accounts initiated or terminated during any month will be charged a prorated fee. Upon
termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly refunded, and any earned,
unpaid fees will be due and payable. The management fee is deducted from the account before the
account assets are distributed to the client.
Oak Grove’s fees are separate and distinct from fees and expenses that may be imposed by any broker
dealer(s) or qualified custodian(s), where the account may be held or where transactions are executed,
as well as by other third parties. Such charges include, but are not limited to, custodial fees, brokerage
commissions, transaction fees, markups/markdowns, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index
fund, or exchange traded fund purchased for the account which shall be disclosed in the fund’s
prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), certain deferred sales charges, odd-
lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on
brokerage accounts and securities transactions exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees,
and other related costs and expenses, which are incurred by the client.
Such charges, fees, and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to Oak Grove’s fee, and Oak Grove
does not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs.
Item 12 further describes the factors that Oak Grove considers in selecting or recommending broker-
dealers for client transactions and determining the reasonableness of their compensation (e.g.,
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commissions).
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Oak Grove does not currently charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains
on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client). If Oak Grove were to ever enter into a performance-
based fee arrangement with a client, it will do so subject to negotiation with such client. If Oak Grove
were to charge any performance-based fees to clients, it will adopt procedures that are designed to
ensure that all clients are treated fairly and that will aim to prevent conflicts from influencing the
allocation of investment opportunities among its clients.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
Oak Grove will offer portfolio management services to individuals, high net worth individuals, and
business entities. These services are currently offered to clients solely through separately managed
accounts.
Oak Grove generally requires a minimum investment of $1,000,000, although this minimum may be
waived or reduced in the Firm’s sole discretion based on individualized negotiations with a client or
potential client.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Oak Grove strives to produce investment returns that will meet or exceed major investment indices by
investing client assets tailored to the client’s investment risk tolerance and stated investment goals and
objectives. Oak Grove’s portfolio management process takes into account each client’s risk tolerance
and investment time horizon. To facilitate investment decisions, the Firm may obtain information from
a variety of sources including, but not limited to: financial publications and media, inspections of
corporate activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating services, annual reports,
prospectuses, public regulatory filings, and company press releases. Clients are advised that
investing in securities involves risk of loss that they should be prepared to bear.
Methods of Analysis
Fundamental Analysis. We attempt to estimate the intrinsic value of a company by looking at
economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the financial
condition and management of the company itself) to determine if the company is underpriced
(indicating it may be a good time to buy) or overpriced (indicating it may be time to sell). Fundamental
analysis does not attempt to anticipate 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 the stock.
Technical Analysis. We analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to the present in an
attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future price
movement. Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a company. This
presents a risk in that a poorly managed or financially unsound company may underperform regardless
of market movement.
Sentiment. We also consider company and market sentiment indicators in our investment analysis
process and apply our decision-making process with a contrarian and independent thinking
perspective from consensus views. At times, we may diverge from consensus views because of our
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fundamental and sentiment analysis.
Investment Strategies and Risks of Loss
This brief statement does not disclose all the risks and other significant aspects of investing in financial
markets. Considering the risks, each client should fully understand the nature of the contractual
relationship(s) into which they are entering and the extent of their exposure to risk. Certain investing
strategies may not be suitable for many members of the public. Each client will be instructed to
carefully consider whether the strategies employed will be appropriate for him or her in light of their
respective experience, objectives, financial resources and other relevant circumstances.
Certain of the risks of the Oak Grove strategy are summarized below. Prospective clients should
carefully consider these risks before opening an account at Schwab to be managed by Oak Grove, and
are advised to consult their own legal and tax advisers about these risks.
Overall Investment Risk and Economic and Market Conditions. Securities investing, trading, and
other investment activities involve a high degree of risk of loss that clients must be prepared to bear.
There can be no assurance that any strategy or trade will be profitable or that the account will not incur
losses. Prior successful investment management performance, recommendations or analysis by Oak
Grove or any of its principals is not a guarantee of future successful performance. Many unforeseeable
events, including actions by various government agencies and domestic and international economic
and political developments, may cause sharp market fluctuations that could adversely affect
performance. Oak Grove has no control over these factors.
Equity Securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the
fundamental economic condition of the issuer of the securities, including general economic and market
conditions, and these fluctuations can be pronounced. Securities may be purchased in all available
securities trading markets without restriction as to market capitalization, such as those issued by
smaller capitalization companies, including micro cap companies.
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives may lead to losses resulting from adverse movements in the
price or value of the underlying asset, index, rate or instrument, due to failure of a counterparty or to
tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create investment leverage in a client portfolio,
magnifying an account’s exposure to the underlying investment. The risks associated with derivatives
use in an account may be heightened when they are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a
position or security, rather than solely to hedge the risk of another investment held in the account.
When derivatives are used to gain exposure to a particular market, market segment, or individual
company, their performance may not correlate as expected to the performance of that market or
segment, thereby causing the account to fail to achieve its original purpose in using such derivatives.
Derivatives used for hedging purposes may not reduce portfolio risk if they are not sufficiently
correlated to the position being hedged. A decision as to whether, when, and how to use derivatives
involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be
unsuccessful because of subsequent market behavior or unexpected events. Derivative instruments
may be difficult to value, illiquid, and subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value
of the underlying asset, index, rate or instrument. The loss on a derivatives transaction may
substantially exceed the initial investment.
Options. The Firm may engage from time to time in various types of options transactions. An option
gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, upon exercise of the option, either (i) to buy or
sell a specific amount of the underlying security at a specific price (the “strike” price or “exercise”
price), or (ii) in the case of a stock index option, to receive a specified cash settlement. To purchase an
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option, the purchaser must pay a “premium,” which consists of a single, nonrefundable payment.
Unless the price of the securities underlying the option changes and it becomes profitable to exercise
or close the option before it expires, the client’s portfolio may lose the entire amount of the premium.
The purchaser of an option runs the risk of losing the entire investment. Thus, the client’s portfolio
may incur significant losses in a relatively short period of time. The ability to trade in or exercise
options also may be restricted in the event that trading in the underlying securities interest becomes
restricted. Options trading may also be illiquid in the event that assets are invested in contracts with
extended expirations. Oak Grove may purchase and/or write put and/or call options on specific
securities, on stock indexes or on other financial instruments and, to close out its positions in options,
may make a closing purchase transaction or closing sale transaction. In theory, the exposure to loss is
potentially unlimited in the case of an uncovered call writer (i.e. a call writer who does not have and
maintain during the term of the call an equivalent long position in the stock or other security
underlying the call). The risk for a writer of an uncovered put option (i.e., a put option written by a
writer that does not have and maintain an offsetting short position in the underlying stock or other
security) is that the price of the underlying security may fall below the exercise price to zero.
The following non-exhaustive examples describe a few of the options strategies Oak Grove deploys for
client portfolios:
Oak Grove may use long call options, in which it purchases a “call” on an individual company’s equity
security, a market index, or a market segment. It may also transact "covered calls", and sell an option
on a security in a client portfolio against a long position of the same security in the portfolio. In this
strategy, the portfolio receives a premium for making the option available, and the counter-party
purchasing the option has the right to buy the security from the account at an agreed-upon price.
Oak Grove may use short or long put options in various income generation or hedging strategies in
which it sells (income generation) or buys (hedging) a put option on an individual company’s equity
security, a market index, or a market segment.
Oak Grove may also deploy a "spread strategy," and purchase two or more option contracts (i.e., a call
option that you buy and a call option that you sell) for the same underlying security. This effectively
places the portfolio on both sides of the market, but with the ability to vary price, time, and other factors
to mitigate risk and generate income or achieve portfolio appreciation.
Concentration. As a result of size, investment strategy and other considerations, a client portfolio may
at times be confined to the securities of a limited number of issuers. Oak Grove is not subject to limits
regarding concentration as to individual securities, industries or types of investments. The result of
concentrating investments in this fashion is that a loss in any one position could materially reduce the
value of a client’s portfolio, to the extent not offset by other gains.
Fixed Income and Convertible Securities. Portfolio securities may be sensitive to increases in
prevailing interest rates and the creditworthiness of issuers. Fixed-income securities rated below
investment grade and comparable unrated securities have speculative characteristics because of the
credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances
typically have greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower-rated securities to make principal and
interest payments than they do on issuers of higher-rated instruments. An economic downturn
typically leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower-rated instrument may lose significant value
before a default occurs. Lower-rated investments are generally subject to greater price volatility and
illiquidity than higher-rated ones.
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Interest Rate Risk. As interest rates rise, the value of a client portfolio invested primarily in fixed-
income securities or similar instruments is likely to decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline,
the value of such a client portfolio is likely to rise. Securities with longer maturities are more sensitive
to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter maturities, making them more volatile. A
rising interest rate environment may extend the average life of mortgages or other asset-backed
receivables underlying mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. This extension increases the risk
of depreciation due to future increases in market interest rates. In a declining interest rate
environment, prepayment of certain types of securities may increase. In such circumstances, the Firm
may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds at lower yields. A strategy that is managed toward an
income objective may hold securities with longer maturities and thereby be more exposed to interest
rate risk than a strategy focused on total return.
Duration Risk. Duration measures the expected life of a fixed-income security, which can determine
its sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates. Securities with longer durations tend to
be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. A portfolio with a
longer dollar-weighted average duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes
than a portfolio with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration. Duration differs from maturity in
that it considers a security’s coupon payments in addition to the amount of time until the security
matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.
Maturity Risk. Interest rate risk will generally affect the price of a fixed income security more if the
security has a longer maturity. Fixed income securities with longer maturities will therefore be more
volatile than other fixed income securities with shorter maturities. Conversely, fixed income securities
with shorter maturities will be less volatile but generally provide lower returns than fixed income
securities with longer maturities. The average maturity of a client portfolio’s investments will affect
the volatility of the portfolio’s rate of return.
ETF Risk. Investing in an ETF exposes a client portfolio to all of the risks of that ETF’s investments
and subjects it to a pro rata portion of the 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, which may vary from the ETF’s net asset value. ETFs 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 a client portfolio may not be able to liquidate ETF
holdings at the time and price desired, which may impact its performance.
Changes in Regulation. Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may occur from time to time that
could have an adverse impact on the performance of a portfolio. Securities markets are subject to
comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements enforced by the SEC, other U.S. and non-
U.S. regulators and self-regulatory organizations, and exchanges authorized to take extraordinary
actions in the event of market emergencies. The regulatory environment for investment management
is evolving, and changes in regulation regarding trading activities, taxation of investment gains and
other matters may adversely affect the ability of investors to pursue certain investment strategies, the
ability to obtain leverage and financing, and the value of certain investments. As a historical example,
the impact of regulations implementing the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislative initiatives including
by way of example taxation of corporations or related to trading strategies and operations is impossible
to predict and may be adverse.
Catastrophic and Disruptive Events. The value of a portfolio and its investments may be adversely
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affected by domestic and global developments, including political and economic upheaval, disasters and
weather events, regional conflicts, trade disputes and changes in government, economic or monetary
policies. Such events can and have interrupted the markets and could impact Oak Grove’s ability to
conduct business despite the implementation of reasonable disaster preparedness and recovery plans,
thereby having a potentially negative effect on a client’s investments.
Long-term purchases. A long-term purchasing strategy assumes that financial markets and stock
prices will continue to rise over the long term, which may not be the case. There is also a risk that the
value or price of any particular investment, sector or segment of the market in which a portfolio invests
will go down over time even if financial markets, indexes or other market characteristics as a whole
increase. In addition, purchasing investments on a long-term basis may create an opportunity cost by
preventing assets from being utilized in other (and better) short-term investment opportunities.
Short-term purchases. When utilizing this strategy, we may also purchase securities with the intention
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.
Short sales. We borrow shares of a stock for your portfolio from someone who owns the stock on a
promise to replace the shares on a future date at a certain price. Those borrowed shares are then sold.
On the agreed-upon future date, we buy the same stock and return the shares to the original owner. We
engage in short selling based on our determination that the stock will go down in price after we have
borrowed the shares. If we are correct and the stock price has gone down since the shares were
purchased from the original owner, the client portfolio realizes the profit.
Hedging Transactions. The Firm may utilize a variety of financial instruments such as derivatives,
options, swaps, and forward contracts, both for investment purposes and for risk management
purposes. Hedging also involves special risks including the possible default by the other party to the
transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Firm’s assessment of certain market movements is
incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if hedging had not been
used. A client’s portfolio is subject to the risk of the failure or default of any counterparty to the Firm’s
transactions. If there is a failure or default by the counterparty to such a transaction, the Firm will have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction (which may or may not be
meaningful depending on the financial position of the defaulting counterparty). The Firm may seek to
minimize counterparty risk through the selection of financial institutions and types of transactions
employed. However, the Firm’s operational mechanisms may involve counterparty and other risk
elements that may create unforeseen exposures.
In seeking to enhance performance or hedge capital, the Firm may purchase and/or sell call and/or put
options on both securities and stock indexes. A stock index measures the movement of a certain group
of stocks by assigning relative values to the common stocks included in the index. Examples of well-
known stock indexes are the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (“S&P 500) and the
Standard & Poor’s 100 Index. Both the purchasing and the selling of call and put options contain risks.
Although an option buyer’s risk is limited to the amount of the purchase price of the option, an
investment in an option may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying
securities. In theory, the exposure to loss is potentially unlimited in the case of an uncovered call writer
(i.e. a call writer who does not have and maintain during the term of the call an equivalent long position
in the stock or other security underlying the call option), but in practice the loss is limited by the term
of existence of the call. The risk for a writer of an uncovered put option (i.e., a put option written by a
writer that does not have and maintain an offsetting short position in the underlying stock or other
security) is that the price of the underlying security may fall below the exercise price. The effectiveness
of purchasing or selling stock index options as a hedging technique will depend upon the extent to
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which price movements in investments that are hedged to correlate with price movements of the stock
index selected. Because the value of an index option depends upon movement in the level of the index
rather than the price of a particular stock, whether a gain or loss will be realized from the purchase or
writing of options on an index depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market
generally, rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. Successful use of options on stock
indexes will depend upon the ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the stock market
generally. This ability requires skills and techniques different from those used in predicting changes in
the price of individual stocks.
Low Volatility Portfolio Allocation. In addition to it’s core portfolio allocation, Oak Grove has
developed a “low volatility” portfolio allocation for Oak Grove investors. Oak Grove actively manages
this allocation in an effort to provide Oak Grove investors who seek for Oak Grove to utilize this
allocation with a lower standard deviation compared to the S&P 500, and to achieve a portfolio beta
lower than 1.0. Oak Grove’s Low Volatility Portfolio Allocation thus aims to provide a balance between
lower relative volatility (targeting a lower standard deviation, and a lower beta, than the S&P), while
still providing the portfolio with exposure to the potential appreciation of the assets Oak Grove selects
for this portfolio allocation.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to any client’s or prospective client’s
evaluation of Oak Grove’s advisory business or the integrity of its management.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
We have no other financial industry activities and no affiliations to disclose.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Oak Grove has adopted a written Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to all employees and
independent consultants (together, “Access Persons”) associated with the Firm. The Code accordingly
includes provisions designed to ensure compliance with the securities laws and to address conflicts of
interest that are appropriate, practical, and relevant to the operations of a small firm.
Oak Grove’s Code is designed to address and avoid potential conflicts of interest and to set forth
standards of business conduct and the fiduciary duties of all Access Persons associated with Oak Grove.
The Code requires that the interests of Oak Grove clients should always be placed first and includes
provisions for protecting the confidentiality of client information, prohibiting insider trading,
restricting the acceptance of significant gifts, and reporting certain gifts and business entertainment
items. The Code also includes personal securities trading procedures. All Access Persons at Oak Grove
must acknowledge the terms of the Code annually, or as amended.
Among other things, the Code requires the Firm and its Access Persons to act in the client’s best
interests, abide by all applicable regulations and submit regular reports and attestations to monitoring
related to personal securities transactions and other potential conflicts of interest. A copy of Oak
Grove’s Code of Ethics is available upon request.
Oak Grove’s Access Persons must also avoid any personal interest outside of Oak Grove, which could
be placed ahead of their fiduciary obligation to Oak Grove and to its clients. Oak Grove seeks to avoid
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even the appearance of a conflict, much less the existence of an actual conflict. The opportunity to act
improperly may be enough to create the appearance of a conflict. Oak Grove recognizes and respects
an Access Person’s right of privacy concerning personal affairs but requires full and timely disclosure
of any situation which could result in an actual conflict of interest, or even the appearance of one.
Whether or not a conflict exists will be determined by the Chief Compliance Officer.
Other Potential Conflicts of Interest
From time to time Oak Grove may decide to purchase or sell the same security for several portfolios at
approximately the same time. Oak Grove may (but is not obligated to) combine or “batch” such orders
to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates, and to allocate equitably among
Oak Grove’s clients differences in prices and commission or other transaction costs that might have
been obtained had such orders been placed independently.
Under this procedure, transactions will generally be averaged as to prices and allocated among Oak
Grove’s clients pro rata to the purchase and sale orders placed for each client on any given day. Oak
Grove will not receive any additional compensation or remuneration as a result of the aggregation of
client orders.
It is Oak Grove’s policy not to effect any principal or agency cross securities transactions for client
portfolios. Oak Grove will also not cross trades between client portfolios. Principal transactions are
generally defined as transactions where an adviser, acting as principal for its own account or the
account of an affiliated broker-dealer, buys from or sells any security to any advisory client. An agency
cross transaction is defined as a transaction where a person acts as an investment adviser in relation
to a transaction in which the investment adviser, or any person controlled by or under common control
with the investment adviser, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another person on the
other side of the transaction. Agency cross transactions may arise where an adviser is dually registered
as a broker-dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer. Oak Grove is not dually registered as a broker-
dealer, and agency cross transactions are not part of Oak Grove’s business.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Oak Grove has a fiduciary duty to its advisory clients and will endeavor to seek best execution when
placing trades for clients under the circumstances of each particular transaction. In selecting brokers
to execute transactions for its clients, Oak Grove will seek the best overall terms available based upon
a variety of factors, including the ability to achieve prompt and reliable executions at favorable prices;
the operational efficiency with which transactions are effected; the competitiveness of commission
rates; the borrowing terms available from the broker; and the financial strength, integrity and stability
of the broker. Considering these factors, Oak Grove will normally utilize the broker account in which
the account is held, when applicable. As a result, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest commission
but rather will seek the best overall qualitative execution. Oak Grove will always seek to use brokers
who provide the best mix of trade execution and other services, such as custody reporting services and
customer service.
Directed Brokerage
Most clients for whom Oak Grove serves as investment adviser leave the selection of brokers or dealers
to affect securities transactions to Oak Grove’s discretion. Some clients may direct Oak Grove to
transact business through brokers the client may select. In those cases, where the client designates
which broker or dealer through which transactions are executed, it may not be possible for Oak Grove
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to obtain, for such clients, the lower rates that might be obtainable if the Firm had full discretion in the
selection of the executing firm.
Oak Grove participates in the Charles Schwab Advisor Services (“Schwab”) Program (the “Schwab
Program”). Schwab is a division of Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. a FINRA/SIPC/NFA member.
Schwab is an independent SEC-registered broker-dealer and is unaffiliated with Oak Grove. Schwab
offers certain operational services to independent investment advisers, such as custody of securities,
trade execution, and clearance and settlement of transactions. Oak Grove benefits from participation in
the Schwab Program. (For additional information on the benefits to Oak Grove, please see Item 14 of
this Brochure.)
Schwab is entitled to receive brokerage commissions from transactions of certain no-load mutual
funds, index funds or ETFs, and transaction fees for effecting certain securities transactions in equity
and debt securities. Oak Grove’s participation in the Schwab Program enables the Firm to obtain many
no-load mutual funds without transaction charges or at nominal transaction charges. Schwab’s
commission rates are generally discounted from customary retail commission rates. However, the
commission and transaction fees charged by Schwab may be higher or lower than those charged by
other broker-dealers to effect the same transaction. Oak Grove has negotiated transaction fees and
commission rates that are generally lower than Schwab’s standard rates applied to registered
investment advisers. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost,
but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution capability,
commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Oak Grove will seek competitive rates,
the Firm may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client portfolio
transactions. Further, as a general matter, Oak Grove tends to utilize institutional class mutual fund
shares in client portfolios because they have lower charges for asset management than no-loan mutual
funds.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Oak Grove does not use client commission dollars to purchase “soft dollar” research or brokerage
services. Schwab makes certain research and brokerage services available at no additional cost to the
Firm. These services include research services obtained by Schwab directly from independent research
companies that the Firm may select (within specific parameters). These may include research reports
on recommendations or other information about particular companies or industries; economic
surveys, data and analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database
software and services; computerized news and pricing services; quotation equipment for use in
running software used in investment decision-making; and other products or services that provide
lawful and appropriate assistance by Schwab to Oak Grove in the performance of the Firm’s investment
decision-making responsibilities. The aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by
Oak Grove to manage portfolios for which Oak Grove has investment discretion. Oak Grove does not
use commission dollars to purchase these research or brokerage services.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Oak Grove does not seek client referrals from broker-dealers, and has not received any such referrals.
Thus, Oak Grove does not receive any benefits from any broker-dealer in exchange for client referrals.
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Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA Plan (the “Plan”) client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its
account through a specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the Plan.
Such direction is permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of
the Plan incurred in the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and
empowered to pay. ERISA prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services
purchased are not for the exclusive benefit of the Plan. Consequently, Oak Grove will request that plan
sponsors who direct plan brokerage provide the Firm with a letter documenting that this arrangement
will be for the exclusive benefit of the Plan.
Trade Aggregation and Allocation
Given the individual and particularized circumstances of any particular client (available cash, short-
term or long-term capital gain or loss tax considerations, market opportunities, risk tolerance, etc., to
identify examples of certain considerations) transactions for each portfolio generally will be executed
independently, unless Oak Grove decides to purchase or sell the same security for several portfolios at
approximately the same time. Oak Grove may (but is not obligated to) combine or “batch” such orders
to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates, or to allocate equitably among
Oak Grove’s clients differences in prices and commission or other transaction costs that might have
been obtained had such orders been placed independently.
Under a “batch” or “block trade” order, transactions will generally be averaged as to prices and allocated
among Oak Grove’s clients pro rata to the purchase and sale orders placed for each client on any given
day. Oak Grove will not receive any additional compensation or remuneration as a result of the
aggregation of client orders. In situations where Oak Grove determines that a prorated allocation is not
appropriate in a particular circumstance, Oak Grove will make the allocation decision in a manner that
is as fair as possible under the circumstances to all portfolios, taking into account such factors as
investment guidelines and limitations, the amount of cash in a particular portfolio, comparative size of
respective allocations among portfolios, and whether random or rotating allocations is the fairest
alternative to a pro rata allocation.
Item 13 – Review of Portfolios
Oak Grove actively manages client portfolios on a continuous basis. The portfolios are reviewed with
clients upon their request. Oak Grove maintains daily oversight of the trading and portfolio decisions of
client portfolios and conducts reviews on an ongoing basis.
Oak Grove’s continuous active management includes by way of example consideration of a portfolio’s
performance in light of identified needs and objectives. Oak Grove may implement changes to the
investments in the portfolio, to the strategies or objectives employed, or to various weightings of
particular securities in a portfolio.
Clients receive statements directly from their account custodian(s) (i.e. Schwab) on a monthly basis.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Oak Grove may recommend Schwab to clients for custody and brokerage services and receives
economic benefits through its participation in the Schwab Program that are typically not available to
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Schwab retail investors. These benefits include the following products and services which are provided
without cost or at a discount: receipt of duplicate client statements and confirmations; research related
products and tools; consulting services; access to a trading desk serving Oak Grove’s clients; access to
block trading (which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions for execution and then
allocate the appropriate shares to client portfolios); the ability to have advisory fees deducted directly
from client accounts; access to an electronic communications network for client order entry and
account information; access to mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional
money managers; and discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice
management products or services provided to Oak Grove by third party vendors. Some of the products
and services made available by Schwab through the Schwab Program may benefit Oak Grove but may
not benefit its client portfolios. These products or services may assist the Oak Grove in managing and
administering client portfolios, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. Other services made
available by Schwab are intended to help Oak Grove manage and further develop its business
enterprise. The benefits received by Oak Grove or the Firm’s related persons through participation in
the program do not depend on the amount of brokerage transactions directed to Schwab. As part of
Oak Grove’s fiduciary duties to clients, the Firm endeavors at all times to put the interests of its clients
first.
Clients should be aware that the receipt of economic benefits by Oak Grove or its related persons, in
and of itself, creates a potential conflict-of-interest and may indirectly influence Oak Grove’s choice of
Schwab for custody and brokerage services.
Oak Grove does not expect to receive economic benefits from third parties in exchange for providing
investment advice or other advisory services to clients. Oak Grove has not—and does not intend in the
future—to compensate any person or entity who is not a supervised person, directly or indirectly, for
client referrals.
Item 15 – Custody
Investments and cash are held by third-party unaffiliated custodians. However, Oak Grove, by virtue of
its ability to deduct fees from its clients’ accounts, is deemed to have custody of client accounts for that
purpose. Client assets will be maintained by an unaffiliated, qualified custodian, such as a bank, broker-
dealer (e.g. Schwab), mutual fund company or transfer agent. Client assets are not held by Oak Grove
or any related person of Oak Grove. Oak Grove may be authorized by a client to debit its management
fees directly from an account.
Clients will generally receive statements directly from the qualified custodian(s), bank or broker-dealer
holding their account’s assets on a monthly basis. These statements will indicate all amounts disbursed
from their account, including the amount of the management fees paid to Oak Grove. Oak Grove urges
its clients to carefully review such statements. The custodial statement is the official record of the
account for tax purposes.
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Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Oak Grove receives discretionary authority from its clients pursuant to an advisory agreement at the
outset of the advisory relationship. The Firm maintains authority to select the identity and amount of
securities to be bought, sold, or otherwise traded in accordance with the investment strategy, risk limits
and investment time horizon agreed to in the Management Agreement. This authority includes an
Authorization executed by the client that allows Oak Grove to trade the client’s defined contribution
plan assets without obtaining specific consent for each individual transaction.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, Oak Grove observes those investment policies,
limitations, and restrictions, which are agreed to with Oak Grove’s clients.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
Oak Grove does not vote proxies on behalf of its clients.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Oak Grove does not require or solicit prepayment of fees by clients six or more months in advance and
is therefore not required to include a balance sheet for its most recent fiscal year, and is not aware of
any financial condition reasonably likely to impair its ability to meet contractual commitments to
clients, and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time since the Firm’s inception in
2010.
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