Headquartered in Laguna Beach, California, WCM Investment Management is a investment-focused firm with billions of dollars under its management. This financial advisor provides services to a range of institutional clients, but it also serves individuals through separately managed accounts. WCM has been in business for nearly 50 years.
WCM Investment Management Background
WCM Investment Management was founded in 1976 as an independent asset management firm. The advisor provides investment advisory services on a discretionary basis, and it specializes in equity investments. The firm is employee-owned by Kurt Winrich, Paul Black, Sloane Payne, Peter Hunkel, Michael Trigg and Sanjay Ayer. Their stakes are held through a holding company called Thalia Street Partners, LLC.
WCM Investment Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
WCM primarily provides services to institutional clients, including pension and profit sharing plans, business entities, endowments, charitable organizations, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, foundations, trusts and public funds. It also offers advisory services to high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals through SMAs, mutual funds and private funds.
WCM generally requires a minimum account size of $10 million for separately managed accounts (SMAs). The WCM Private Funds has a minimum of $5 million. The minimum for the WCM Mutual Funds is $100,000 for the Institutional Share Class and $1,000 for the Investor Share Class. All minimums may be waived under certain circumstances.
Services Offered by WCM Investment Management
WCM Investment Management offers investment advisory services to various types of institutions and funds, some of which are its own. In fact, it consistently manages the investments within more than 10 portfolio models that it then lets its clients use for their own purposes. Each of these portfolios focus on different areas of the market, both in terms of securities and sectors.
WCM Investment Management Investment Philosophy
WCM says it bases its investment approach off four principles: differentiation, simplicity, culture and temperament. Through these principles the firm strives to achieve long-term, excess return. The advisor also strongly believes in employing multiple strategies to ensure the best investment results for its clients.
The firm uses a bottom-up, fundamental analysis approach that focuses on many factors, including competitive advantages, long-horizon growth prospects and valuation. In addition, structural differentiation, company culture, focused portfolio and temperament are four key elements that guide its investment strategies.
Fees Under WCM Investment Management
For separately managed accounts, WCM charges 1% of AUM. The management fees are payable quarterly in advance, and the final fee is based on AUM on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The management fees and minimums are negotiable, and WCM may charge lower fees or waive minimums depending on certain client criteria, including: historical relationships, related accounts, anticipated future earning capacity or account composition.
WCM mutual funds pay management fees, shareholder service fees and other expenses. The exact fees are specified in each fund’s prospectus. Fees for private funds are also specified in each fund’s prospectus. The fee is payable quarterly, based on the net asset value of the capital account on the first day of each calendar quarter. Fees for the firm’s Canadian Fund, Australian Funds and UCITs are specified in each fund’s disclosure documents.
What to Watch Out For
WCM Investment Management does not have any disclosures according to its most recently filed Form ADV.
WCM offers advisory services to accounts that are charged an asset-based fee and accounts that are charged a performance-based fee. The firm acknowledges that the latter may incentivize advisors to prioritize the accounts through which they earn performance-based fees. However, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in clients' best interests.
Opening an Account With WCM Investment Management
You’ll have a few options for getting in touch with WCM if you’re interested in opening an account. You can reach out to an advisor through the firm’s contact form, or you can visit or call the firm’s office at (949) 380-0200.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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