COVID-19 Resurgence

by | Oct 29, 2020 | Recent Commentary

So far in 2020 we have had a pandemic, a recession, an impeachment trial of a president, social unrest, and a contentious presidential campaign.  The coming year could be just as eventful.  What do institutional money managers think about such an uncertain environment...

Our Annual Q & A

by | Sep 29, 2020 | Recent Commentary

1.  What happened in September? Is this a textbook correction or the start of something worse?  The pullback in stocks in September is due to a number of reasons: –              Tech stocks (including the FANG+ names) had powerful gains in the summer and had to...

What’s In Store For Act IV

by | Aug 5, 2020 | Recent Commentary

The five largest stocks in the S&P 500 (Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Facebook) have collectively added $1.66 trillion in market cap this year.  The other 495 stocks in the index have lost $1.61 trillion in market cap!  The average share price increase...
Knowledge – Results

Experts in Risk Management

Are you prepared for the next market correction or financial crisis?

Let us Help
Knowledge – Results

Experts in Risk Management

Are you prepared for the next market correction or financial crisis?

Let us Help
Knowledge – Results

Experts in Risk Management

Are you prepared for the next market correction or financial crisis?

Let us Help
Knowledge – Results

Experts in Risk Management

Are you prepared for the next market correction or financial crisis?

Let us Help
3

Real Retirement Solutions

designed to improve
  • Wealth Preservation
  • Management of Risky Assets
  • Peace of Mind

This is achieved through an ongoing assessment of market risks given your specific financial situation and goals.

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Professional Expertise

Leadership Team

Richard Furmanski

Richard Furmanski

CFA

has been a portfolio manager and analyst for over 35 years. He manages conservative, tax-efficient portfolios for both pre-retirees and retirees. His lower risk approach appeals to investors who want less volatility and competitive risk-adjusted returns.

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Mary Ellen Adam

Mary Ellen Adam

Director of Operations

has been in office administration for over twenty years. Her experience includes customer service, firm operations, and office administration. She interacts with our clients on a day-to-day basis and handles any requests that may arise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you can't find the answer to your questions here, feel free to give us a call at 847-847-2505

Do you manage both stock and bond portfolios?

Yes. We build a portfolio of conservative, high-quality stocks and hold them for the long-term. The average holding period is 4 – 5 years. Our focus is on stocks that are suitable for retirement portfolios.

Our high-quality bond portfolios are designed to provide both income and stability of principal. Bonds provide the anchor for balanced accounts (those holding both stocks and bonds).

What is your investment philosophy?
We take great care in purchasing only high-quality stocks and bonds intent on a multi-year holding period. Portfolio turnover and taxable realized gains are modest in comparison to other active managers. We do not time the market but will become more defensive, in terms of stock holdings, when market conditions warrant.
Will the portfolio be managed in accordance with my financial goals?
Yes. Each of our clients has a custom-tailored portfolio. These custom portfolios are designed to meet specific client objectives with a thoughtful approach to specific constraints such as risk tolerance. And as each client’s situation changes, the portfolio does as well. There is no cookie cutter approach.
What kind of expertise do you have and how can that help me in difficult markets?
We have been working with high-net-worth clients like you since 1982. Over that time we have helped them to navigate several bear markets and financial crises (including the stock market crash of 1987). We hold the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations.
Are you sensitive to taxes when managing portfolios?
Yes. Our holding period for an individual stock averages 4 plus years which means our turnover is low and realized gains can be carefully managed. Further, where possible, we tax loss harvest small losses as a way of offsetting gains taken elsewhere in the portfolio.
How have you performed?
Results will differ by client and the level of customization but we have provided competitive investment returns for many years.
How do you charge for your services?
We charge a management or consultant fee based upon the size and level of customization of the account. As the account grows, we benefit together.

Recent Commentaries

Stay up to date with all of our latest comments and analysis.

January 2026 Market Commentary

THE INVESTMENT LANDSCAPE FOR 2026 Happy New Year!  The beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to take an...
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May 2023 Market Commentary

May 2, 2023

Corporate earnings season for Q1 is now about halfway completed. So far, modest expectations have been exceeded.  Coming in, investors expected a 6.3% drop in profits.  Now a 4.2% decline is expected.  Here are year-over-year earnings forecasts for the rest of 2023...

April 2023 Market Commentary

Apr 11, 2023

The S&P 500 had a solid month in March; up 3.5%.  But not everything rallied in March.  Small caps and mid-caps were down 3-5%.  Only 3 of 11 equity sectors are up March YTD.  And high quality stocks have been lagging all year as shown by the difference in...

March 2023 Market Commentary

Mar 1, 2023

THE WAR AGAINST INFLATION HITS A SPEED BUMP Six weeks ago we wrote in the January mid-month commentary that the Fed was winning the war against inflation.  If we look at their progress since last year’s peak inflation that is still true.  But January hit a snag. ...

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Monthly Updates

December 2023 Mid-Month Recap

Dec 19, 2023

The S&P 500’s price change so far in Biden’s Presidency is now essentially right at the average gain that we have seen at this point in the four-year Presidential Cycle for the S&P 500 going back to 1928.  We are now at the end of year three of the election...

November 2023 Mid-Month Recap

Nov 14, 2023

WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!     It is hard for investors to gauge the trend of future inflation because of conflicting economic reports and Fed speeches. Some Fed speakers make it sound like the battle against inflation has been won.  Others...

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