How We Are Different

Most Registered Investment Advisors (or “RIA”) who are not Broker Dealers will note that they are fiduciaries. That is the client’s interest comes first. (Unlike brokers, RIAs are legally bound to fiduciary standards.). Most RIAs will also tell you that they are transparent in how they are paid, that they only do well when you do well. And that they consider each client’s risk tolerances and individual tax circumstances in constructing a portfolio. Many also offer a financial plan that suits the client’s goals and promise to communicate the progress toward those goals including communicating with other relevant family members. And for non-profit institutional clients RIAs will work closely with not only the finance committee but with the full board as necessary.

Hall Capital is NOT different from most RIAs in the respects listed above. We do all of that, too. However, some of our practices are rare among RIAs and brokers. Here are some:

1. We buy individual stocks

Perhaps because it is easier, RIAs have evolved more and more to rely on mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) as their primary investment choices. We, too, will access a fund from time to time to add market exposure. But most of our equity holdings are carefully selected individual stocks. This is harder work than simply buying a mutual fund, but it can also be more rewarding.

2. Our long term track record of our investment approach is available to anyone.

In an unusual practice we publish our “Focus List” quarterly which highlights the type of stocks we are buying for clients. The track record of this list is on the website and available to an open audit from anyone.

3. We consider “alternatives” in addition to traditional asset classes

Most RIAs do not include investment “alternatives” in their portfolios for qualifying clients. We have experience in investments that are not dependent on the stock and bond markets for returns, such as venture capital, private equity, private debt, and real estate.