St. Louis-based Kennedy Capital Management (KCM) is a fee-only firm, which means that it only receives compensation from the fees clients pay. (This differs from a fee-based firm, which may earn commissions from third parties.)
The firm and its advisors work personally with a number of individual and institutional clients. Investment management is the premier service at Kennedy, with strategies available across various capitalizations within the equity market sector.
Kennedy Capital Management Background
Kennedy Capital Management was founded in 1980 by chief portfolio manager Richard Sinise and Gerald Kennedy. Sinise has worked in the financial services industry for more than 40 years; Kennedy passed away in 1999. This is an employee-owned firm, so its shares are split between various members of its advisory and leadership staff.
Of the 30 financial advisors employed by Kennedy, several hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. There is also a certified public accountant (CPA) and an advisor with a certificate in investment performance measurement (CIPM).
Kennedy Capital Management Client Type and Account Minimums
Kennedy works with a wide range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, charities, government entities and various corporations. The firm does have a few non-high-net-worth individual accounts, but its preferred minimum account sizes make these accounts rare.
Kennedy Capital Management Minimum Account Size
While Kennedy doesn't provide a standard account minimum, it does have preferred minimums. These can be waived or changed at the discretion of the firm.
- Micro-Cap: $10 million
- Small-Cap: $10 million
- SMID-Cap Value: $10 million
- SMID-Cap Growth: $10 million
- Mid-Cap: $10 million
- All-Cap: $10 million
- Small-Cap Select: $1 million
- Small-Cap Select SRI: $1 million
- Bank Sector: $1 million
- Micro-Cap Emerging Growth: $1 million
- ESG SMID-Cap: $ 1 million
Services Offered by Kennedy Capital Management
Kennedy provides a wide spectrum of investment services to a range of individual and institutional clients. While the firm started out focusing primarily on small-cap investments, it has since grown to include mid-cap, all-cap and other strategies. They also provide sub-advisory services to certain wrap fee programs and unaffiliated registered investment advisors (RIAs).
Kennedy Capital Management Investment Philosophy
Kennedy takes a bottom-up approach to stock picking. This fundamental practice looks to build client portfolios one stock at a time by evaluating each security based on factors like operations, financials, future value and more. As a result, Kennedy usually invests client assets in U.S. stocks and other domestic securities with strong growth potential. Kennedy does not take short positions, as this goes against its long-term investing philosophy.
While Kennedy's advisors have the final say when it comes to portfolio decisions, they try to tailor each portfolio to the needs of the client. This involves doing a deep dive into each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and overall investment objectives.
Fees Under Kennedy Capital Management
Kennedy charges annual management fees according to the investment strategy your account adheres to. Within each of these strategies, the firm charges different rates that depend on your AUM level. Here's an overview of what you'll pay at this firm:
| Investment Management Fees | |
| Strategy Type | Annual Fee Range |
| Micro-Cap | 1.00% - 1.25% |
| Micro-Cap Emerging Growth | 1.00% |
| Small-Cap Select, Small-Cap Select SRI, Small-Cap Value and Small-Cap Extended | 0.80% - 1.00% |
| Small-Cap Core | 0.80% - 0.90% |
| Small-Cap Growth | 0.70% - 0.90% |
| SMID-Cap Value | 0.70% - 0.90% |
| SMID-Cap Growth | 0.60% - 0.80% |
| ESG SMID-Cap | 0.70% - 0.80% |
| Mid-Cap Value | 0.60% - 0.75% |
| All-Cap Value | 0.70% |
| Bank Sector | 1.00% |
Although Kennedy lists its management fees in annual percentages, fees are charged on a quarterly basis. You can choose to pay through a direct deduction from your account or via a mailed, faxed or emailed invoice.
What to Watch Out For
Kennedy Capital Management occasionally charges performance-based fees. According to the firm's Form ADV, "These accounts create an incentive for us to make riskier, more speculative investments than would be the case in the absence of a performance fee." Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm is bound by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in your best interest.
Kennedy explicitly states in its Form ADV that it does not offer financial planning services. If you're interested in finding a financial advisor who can help with financial planning, try SmartAsset's free tool to get matched with advisors near you.
Kennedy Capital Management does not have any disclosures of legal or regulatory issues, which means it has a clean record.
Opening an Account With Kennedy Capital Management
To become a client of Kennedy Capital Management, you can email the firm at clientservice@kennedycapital.com. If you prefer to work over the phone, you can call toll-free at (800) 859-5462 or locally at (314) 262-7777.
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