Investment Management in Rockford IL

What is investment management?

Investment management is the process of determining which investments and asset classes are appropriate based on your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, tax status, and changing economic conditions. An effective investment manager tailors strategies to meet your unique needs, ensuring your portfolio is optimized for growth and stability in accordance with your timeline and tolerance for risk.

An investment portfolio should be subject to ongoing review, disciplined rebalancing, tax loss harvesting, and asset allocation due diligence to assure the performance aligns with your objectives. This continuous management is crucial for adapting to market fluctuations and seizing opportunities that align with your financial goals.

What Investments are Available to Me?

What Investments are Available to Me?

  • As an independent investment management firm, we have no proprietary products. Our open-architecture investment platform allows us to utilize 21st-century investment strategies and technologies that are built to work towards your objectives. By leveraging diverse investment management products, we can provide a broad array of investment options.

Some examples of investment options we can utilize include:

  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
  • ETNs (Exchange-Traded Notes)
  • CDs (Certificates of Deposit)
  • Options
  • Annuities
  • Money Markets
  • Alternative Investments


As diversification is an antidote to risk, we explore ways in which we can combine several of these investment tools into your tailored portfolio.

What is an Investment Fiduciary?

A financial advisor who is also a fiduciary is legally obligated to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. This means they must provide advice that is in their clients’ best interest, even if it is not in the advisor’s best interest. Managing investments with a fiduciary ensures that your financial advisor prioritizes your financial well-being above all else.

Financial advisors that are not fiduciaries are only required to provide advice that is “suitable” for their clients. By working with a fiduciary, you can be confident that your advisor is held to a higher standard of care when providing financial advice. 

Fiduciary financial advisors must also disclose all the fees they charge for their services, including any commissions or other forms of compensation they receive. This level of transparency allows clients to make more informed decisions.

We are proud to act as fiduciaries and value the success of our clients; indeed, we see their success as the best indication of our own.  

*Fiduciary relationships are held with advisory clients only

Benefits of Choosing an Accredited Investment Fiduciary

Benefits of Choosing an Accredited Investment Fiduciary

Choosing an accredited investment fiduciary offers several benefits:

  • Higher standard of care
  • Transparent fee structure
  • Personalized investment management
  • Commitment to clients’ best interests

How Can I Track My Investment Performance?

With Symmetry Financial Advisors, you will receive monthly account statements, easy online account access, and a smartphone app. These tools make it easy to keep track of your investments and allow you to stay informed about your portfolio’s performance in real time.

On top of our annual review meetings, clients receive quarterly check-in calls from our team to keep them informed on their progress. Upon request, we can provide quarterly, monthly, or weekly market and economic updates via email and video to keep you informed. 

Between these touchpoints, our team is always available via phone, email, or text message, ensuring you have access to information and support whenever you need it.

FAQs

What is the difference between active and passive investment management?

Active investment management involves a hands-on approach where the investment manager makes specific investments with the goal of outperforming an investment benchmark index. This approach requires extensive research, analysis, and the ability to make quick decisions based on market conditions. Passive investment management, on the other hand, aims to replicate the performance of a specific index or benchmark, requiring fewer transactions and often resulting in lower fees. Both strategies have their advantages, and the best choice depends on your individual goals, risk tolerance, and investment preferences.

How does tax efficiency factor into investment management?

Tax efficiency is a critical aspect of investment management. It involves structuring your investment portfolio in a way that minimizes tax liabilities and maximizes after-tax returns. Strategies to achieve tax efficiency include tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling losing investments to offset gains, and choosing tax-efficient investment vehicles such as municipal bonds or index funds. Working with an investment manager who understands tax implications can help you keep more of your investment gains.

How can investment management adapt to changing life circumstances?

Life circumstances such as retirement, marriage, the birth of a child, or a career change can significantly impact your financial goals and risk tolerance. An effective investment management strategy is flexible and adaptable, ensuring that your portfolio is regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect your evolving needs and objectives. This might involve shifting asset allocations, updating investment strategies, or incorporating new financial goals into your plan. Regular communication with your investment manager is key to ensuring your investments align with your life changes.

What are the Investment Management Fees?

Our investment management fee can range from 0.80% to 1.25% depending on the assets under management (AUM). We believe in transparency, especially when it comes to the fees our clients pay. All advisory fees will be discussed at the start of our relationship and will be re-communicated during our review meetings. Clients with $200,000 or more in AUM can also receive financial planning included with their investment management fee at no additional cost. Learn more here.

Common Investment Management Problems and Solutions

Common Investment Management Problems and Solutions

Problem: Market volatility affecting portfolio performance.

Solution: Regular rebalancing and diversification to mitigate risk.

 

Problem: High investment fees reducing returns.

Solution: Transparent fee structures and fiduciary duty to ensure cost-effective management.


Problem: Lack of investment knowledge leading to poor decisions.

Solution: Ongoing education and access to professional investment managers.

Looking For Dynamic Investment Management?

Don’t feel like you have to navigate the wide and complicated world of investing on your own. Our team of experienced investment managers is ready to help you pursue your financial goals with personalized strategies and ongoing support. Schedule your free consultation to discuss which investment management options would be better for you.

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