One of the central elements of the investment process at Bradley, Foster & Sargent is our Guidance List. Only stocks from the Guidance List may be purchased for a client’s portfolio. The Investment Committee, comprising the Principals and Portfolio Managers and advisors, approves each stock’s inclusion on the Guidance List. There are generally 300 or more stocks on the List, with new stocks added and others deleted on a regular basis. 

Stocks on the Guidance List are identified through a flexible and informed process utilizing both quantitative screening and qualitative techniques, and then are subjected to rigorous fundamental analysis. 

Valuation.  The attractiveness of a company cannot be viewed apart from the valuation the market places on its stock. To achieve superior performance and moderate risk, we set limits on the price we are willing to pay for companies we find attractive.

Event-driven.  Event-driven purchasing is an important and effective component of our investment process. When events negatively impact the price of a stock, industry or the market as a whole, valuations can be driven down unreasonably. Such events may present an opportunity to buy a quality stock on our Guidance List at favorable prices.

Moderate portfolio turnover.  At Bradley, Foster & Sargent, we invest for the long term.  It is not easy to find great companies at favorable prices. It is usually better to hold a quality growth stock than to sell it if it becomes richly valued. We do not let tax considerations dominate the investment decision, but we work closely with our clients to minimize taxes.

A flexible process.  The framework provided by our investment philosophy and process allows us to channel our experience and judgment to achieve superior investment results for our clients.