2009 Due Diligence Forum

The case for a flexible approach to asset allocation
 

Category

The Lot - Multi-asset class

Company

Select Asset Management

Research Paper

The difficulties in investment markets in recent years have decimated many portfolios and raised questions regarding conventional approaches to asset allocation. In particular, it has highlighted the limitations of the strategic, largely “set and forget” approach to asset allocation that many in the industry adopt. This research paper highlights some flaws in the conventional approach to asset allocation and explains why a more flexible approach is appropriate for many investors, particularly in the challenging investment environment expected to continue in coming years. This paper does not provide a “magic bullet” for determining client’s asset allocation nor suggest that successful asset allocation is easy. However, it shows how value can be added over time and highlights that the decision to ignore asset allocation or simply adopt historically based, fixed, strategic allocations may be a costly approach for many clients.

Presentation

Dominic McCormick, CIO, Select Asset Management