Fidelis Capital: Focusing on Returns Net of Fees, Taxes and Inflation

Core Insights - The firm emphasizes the importance of net returns after fees, taxes, and inflation, managing most fixed-income and equity assets in-house to avoid high third-party management fees [1][4][19] Client Relationships - The firm has significant client relationships, with an average household investment between $15 million and $30 million, and a median net worth exceeding $25 million [2] - Clients are typically multi-generational families with complex financial situations requiring tailored advisory services [2][3] Investment Strategy - The firm manages approximately $2.3 billion in assets under management (AUM) and serves around 130 families, often managing multiple family units [3][4] - Fixed-income strategies are tailored to individual client tax situations, allowing for tax-loss harvesting and investment in both taxable and tax-free bonds [5][6][7] - In equity markets, the firm employs direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting without incurring additional fees, aiming to outperform benchmarks like the Russell 1000 or S&P 500 [8][9][10] Private Markets Investment - The firm invests in private markets across four main areas: private real estate, private debt, private equity, and infrastructure, with some clients allocating up to 50% of their portfolios to these assets [12][13][14] - The firm has adapted to the evolving private markets landscape, utilizing both drawdown funds and evergreen funds to provide clients with liquidity and access to diverse investment opportunities [11][15][16] Manager Selection - The firm prefers established asset managers for private market investments, focusing on long-term relationships and thorough due diligence processes [20][21] - For fixed-income and equity investments, the firm primarily manages assets in-house but may utilize third-party managers for specific niches like mid-cap, small-cap, and international markets [17][18] Portfolio Management - The firm has a seven-person investment committee that meets weekly to discuss market outlooks and client allocations, with monthly market reports and quarterly webinars to keep clients informed [22][23] - Rebalancing of portfolios is typically assessed quarterly but executed during periods of market volatility [24] Cryptocurrency Investments - The firm assists clients interested in cryptocurrencies, primarily through ETFs or closed-end funds, while acknowledging the evolving nature of the cryptocurrency market [25][26] International Market Exposure - The firm maintains a home country bias in international investments, typically allocating 15% to 20% of portfolios to international assets, with a focus on emerging markets and currency exposure [27][28] Cash Management - The firm generally holds minimal cash in managed accounts, typically between 1% and 3%, influenced by client preferences for opportunistic investments [29]