DIVERSIFICATION

Successful investing means not only capturing risks that generate expected return but reducing risks that do not. As mentioned, not all risks are rewarded. The Fama/French Three Factor Model identifies three risks that are rewarded for stocks: market, size and value.  Other risks do not reliably reward investors. These types of risks include holding too few stocks or bonds (concentrated holdings), betting on countries or industries, following market predictions, and speculating on “information” from rating services. Diversification can eliminate these unwanted risks.

Invest in Thousands of Securities

Diversification benefits are immediately captured by investing across thousands of stocks. This eliminates company specific risk (also known as non-systematic risk) including the risk of fraud or bankruptcy. This is a story we all know well: Enron, Global Crossing, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers are good examples of the perils inherent in taking company-specific risk.

Combine Different Asset Classes

We advocate diversification by investing in both stocks and bonds which may have dissimilar returns during various economic environments (low or even negative correlation).  In other words, generally speaking, safe bonds tend to hold value (or in some cases appreciate) when stocks go down.

We also advocate including real estate in a publicly traded portfolio.  This asset class combines characteristics of stocks and bonds. With its potential for resistance against inflation, real estate provides unique diversification benefits. Further, these holdings give investors access to global commercial real estate investments.

Diversify Across Global Equities

For stocks in particular, we advocate global diversification.  This includes US developed markets, non-US developed markets, and emerging markets.

Keep in mind, however, global diversification of stocks does not protect portfolios from deep market declines. Risky assets (stocks, real estate and high risk bonds) may not be highly correlated during “normal” market conditions. But these asset classes can go down in tandem during market downturns. The purpose of global diversification for stocks is to increase expected return for a given level of risk over long periods of time. The asset that can reliably reduce portfolio volatility during market declines in the short run is low risk bonds.

Invest in Different Types of Bonds

We promote diversification across different types of bonds. Our portfolios include:

• Treasury bonds
• Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
• Municipal bonds
• Corporate bonds
• Global bonds