Investment Approach

We are value investors who seek to generate positive returns by making prudent and disciplined investments on behalf of our investors.

 
 

Value Investing Principles

We employ a Warren Buffett-style value investing approach with regards to our clients’ investment portfolios.  Our investment research team works to develop deep, proprietary insights into the companies in which we are investing.  Our portfolio managers use those insights to invest our clients’ capital prudently and patiently in the individual securities of those high-quality companies which appear most attractively priced.

With our investment approach, we adhere to a core set of investment principles:

Protect Capital from Permanent Impairment

 

Be Contrarian

Use Care When it Comes to Companies with Debt

 

Seek a Margin of Safety with Capital Commitments

Be Wary of “This Time is Different” Statements

Use Patience and Wait for an Attractive Price

 

All of these value investing principles add up to an investment philosophy that we believe will lead to above average returns over the long haul while limiting risk.

Our Portfolio

Management Process

As the stewards of our clients’ investable capital, we focus on the preservation of capital first and foremost. This discipline leads us to invest in stocks in which we believe that the potential price depreciation of a stock is minimal and the upside is considerable. To identify attractive investments, we conduct a thorough, bottom-up analysis of a company’s financial statements, business model, and quality of management. 

When we invest in companies, we do so with a long-term time horizon; we are not traders speculating on short-term moves. Rather, we view our investment commitments as if we were purchasing the entire company versus merely a small minority stake.

We are primarily investors, not asset allocators or asset gatherers. Our investment process is guided by the following considerations:

 

Bottom Up Investing

We are bottom-up investors, though we do consider the strength of the economy and various macroeconomic factors that can influence financial asset prices.

we are focused

We focus on the risk of an investment, not just on the potential upside.

We Are Researchers

We generally seek out companies with healthy balance sheets, positive cash flows, solid business models, and strong management.

We are Contrarian

We tend to be contrarian investors, which means we seek to purchase the common shares of companies that we believe are temporarily out-of-favor.

Long-Term Relationship

We look for companies that have an intense focus on delivering long-term shareholder value.

Minimize Turnover

We invest for the long-term, minimizing turnover to keep our portfolios tax-efficient.

Contact

Get In Touch

We are here for you and would love to answer your questions about asset and wealth management. Fill out the form below and one of our experienced investment advisors will be in touch with you soon. 

APPLESEED FUND DISCLOSURE

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing. You may obtain a current copy of the Fund's prospectus by calling 1-800-470-1029.

There is no guarantee that the vehicles presented will succeed; and investment results may vary. Bonds are affected by a number of risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, credit risk, and prepayment risk. Alternative Private Investments, such as REIT's and real-estate related securities involve special risks. such as limited liquidity and interest rates risk. Investors in alternative investments should bear in mind that these products can be highly speculative and may not be suitable for all clients. Investments in commodities may be affected by overall market movements, changes in interest rates, and other factors, such as weather disease, embargoes, and international economic and political developments.

The universe of acceptable investments for the Fund may be limited as compared to other funds due to the Fund’s ESG investment screening. Because the Fund does not invest in companies that do not meet its ESG criteria, and the Fund may sell portfolio companies that subsequently violate its screens, the Fund may be riskier than other mutual funds that invest in a broader array of securities. Although the Pekin Hardy believes that the Fund can achieve its investment objective within the parameters of ESG investing, eliminating certain securities as investments may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.

The Fund's past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-800-470-1029.

The Fund is managed by Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. an SEC registered investment firm dedicated to value investing. For more information, visit www.appleseedfund.com.

The Appleseed Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC. (member FINRA)