Equity Investing
We seek to buy growing, profitable, and well-capitalized businesses at reasonable prices. The habit of relating quality to value is central to the WCA equity investing process.
Asset Allocation
A comprehensive suite of asset allocation portfolios focused on matching investment objectives with risk tolerance. Both passive and active strategies are offered.
Fixed Income
This portfolio seeks to generate a stream of income from a portfolio of 30 investment-grade corporate bonds. The portfolio is constructed as a “ladder” with maturities spanning 10 years.
Recent Commentary
WCA Quarterly Commentary 3Q24
The U.S. economy grew to a record $28 trillion annualized in Q1, the equity market added $9 trillion over the past year, reaching a record $57 trillion, and our WCA Barometer shows positive (albeit fading) strength. Despite this, popular indices’ gains are driven by a few mega-cap companies, leading to less diversification. Historically, smaller companies thrive in expansions and high-risk environments, yet today’s market favors mega-caps. In this update, we address investor concern about growing market divergences between large and small, how we believe portfolios should be positioned to benefit from what comes next, provide an update of current conditions,…
Navigating the Current Market Landscape
The Federal Reserve appears poised to ease off the monetary brake by cutting the policy rate later this year. This potential shift is supported by several indicators, primarily signs of cooling inflation. For over a year, short-term interest rates have been maintained well above the inflation rate, reflecting a stringent monetary policy stance (Chart A, below). Given the inherent lag in the effects of monetary policy, there is a compelling argument for the Fed to start reducing rates to prevent economic deceleration and to support continued growth. Chart A Already Priced In However, there are significant concerns about the current…
The Stock Market: Parallels and Contrasts with 1999
SimilaritiesIn both 1999 and today, the stock market exhibits strong momentum and a herd mentality, particularly among the largest, most valuable companies. This is evidenced by the significant valuation differential between the market capitalization-weighted S&P 500 index and its equally-weighted counterpart. Currently, this differential is as pronounced as it was in 1999, just before a significant technology stock correction. As we delve deeper, it’s crucial to remember that while trees do not grow to the sky, the same holds true for stock valuations. Valuations Adjusted for CyclicalityValuing stocks using long-run averages of earnings, such as those used in the graph…