The Investment Process

Asset Allocation

The first step is the most important - deciding how to allocate assets among broad asset classes such as stocks, bonds and cash. This process has come to be known as asset allocation. The importance of asset allocation is well established within the investment industry and has been demonstrated and proven, time and again. Asset allocation - not market timing or stock selection - is the primary factor in determining why diff erent portfolios have diff erent return results. The key to asset allocation is diversifi cation among the various asset classes (stocks, bonds, cash, etc.) in accordance with the objectives that have been established.

Portfolio Structure

The number and variety of investment choices, or asset classes, keep growing all the time - U.S. equity, international equity, U.S. and foreign fi xed income, emerging markets, REITs, hedge funds - the list goes on and on. Each market and each segment within each market can be associated with diff erent characteristics, return potential and risks. We believe that a division of assets is only the beginning of the asset allocation story. Success requires diversifying the portfolio structure itself.

Tax Management

Taxes play an integral role in our investment process - we all know that when it comes down to it, it's not the money you earn - it's what you keep. And if you are an investor who must pay taxes on your earnings, not taking tax implications into consideration can directly aff ect your chances of meeting your life and wealth objectives. So, we make tax sensitivity an ongoing process, from portfolio structure to manager selection and regular reviews.

Portfolio Management Reviews

Natural market movements often cause portfolio allocations to 'drift' from their original positions as diff erent sectors of the market appreciate or depreciate over time. For example, a portfolio that consists of 60% stocks could see that percentage increase substantially if the stock market appreciates. Changing a portfolio allocation from 60% stocks to something higher could result in unintended risk. Or, your objectives may shift over time as your personal situations change. The investment managers address such inevitable change through its two-step process of continuous portfolio management. Therefore the reviews process is vital.

The Asset Mix

The asset mix is systematically rebalanced to its target points, helping to reduce risk and keep your strategies on track. Next, through ongoing monitoring and manager reviews, this ensures that its managers' investment styles remain consistent with their assigned objectives.

Medics clients can also expect

Tax Advice

  • Minimising liability to income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax planning.

Protection of Assets
and Family Protection

  • Including life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover, long term care, incapacity cover, partnership and business protection.

Residential Mortgages

  • Including house purchase, remortgage and investment property portfolios.

Commercial funding

  • Including surgery and business premises.

Estate and Succession Planning

  • Inheritance tax planning, wills, asset allocation, Trusts and Power of Attorney.

Our Advisers will take great care to:

  • Understand your goals.
  • Develop the right strategy to achieve those goals
  • Minimise any taxation consequences
  • Minimise risk
  • Monitor progress towards your objectives
  • Regularly review the strategy