Active vs. Passive Investing

The debate between practitioners of active and passive fund strategies has escalated, with both sides digging in their heels claiming superiority. In this whitepaper, we show that there is a place for both in a well-diversified portfolio.
Demystifying the Debate
In recent years, assets have been pouring into passive funds at the expense of their active peers. The dramatic shift in investor preference has fueled a heated debate between the peddlers of both products. Active managers insist that investors are better off placing their hard-earned money in funds that are trying to beat the market, while passive managers believe investors should be content accepting low-cost access to the market return. We would argue that both sides of this partisan debate miss the point that the best approach for many investors is somewhere between the two extremes.
At Strategic, we see a place for both active and passive management in a well-diversified investment portfolio. Our process captures the best that each approach has to offer; core assets are actively managed by our in-house investment team when possible, while passive funds are used for cost-effective diversification.
About Strategic
Founded in 1979, Strategic is a leading investment and wealth management firm managing and advising on client assets of over $1.8 billion.
OverviewDisclosures
Strategic Financial Services, Inc. is a SEC-registered investment advisor. The term “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. “Registered” means the company has filed the necessary documentation to maintain registration as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Every client situation is different. Strategic manages customized portfolios that seek to properly reflect the particular risk and return objectives of each individual client. The discussion of any investments is for illustrative purposes only and there is no assurance that the adviser will make any investments with the same or similar characteristics as any investments presented. The investments identified and described do not represent all of the investments purchased or sold for client accounts. Any representative investments discussed were selected based on a number of factors including recent company news or earnings release. The reader should not assume that an investment identified was or will be profitable. All investments contain risk and may lose value. There is no assurance that any investments identified will remain in client accounts at the time you receive this document.
Some of the material presented is based upon forward-looking statements, information and opinions, including descriptions of anticipated market changes and expectations of future activity. Strategic Financial Services believes that such statements, information, and opinions are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions. However, forward-looking statements, information and opinions are inherently uncertain and actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, information and opinions.
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