Mutual Fund selection is a two step process:


 

• STEP ONE:  finding strong performers to include in clients' mutual fund portfolios
  
  
  
  
   
• STEP TWO: determining if and when market conditions require significant changes in asset allocation, including exchanging into cash.
  
  

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SELECTING FUNDS

Fund selection is a unique, dynamic, and continuous process.

Signalert and Appel Asset Management accounts can choose from a roster of funds, which currently number more than 2000.

Portfolio managers maintain trading programs with the mutual fund families, including in some cases trading agreements regarding  space and trading frequencies, in keeping with mutual fund prospectus guidelines. Clients are therefore given a wide range of  choice.

Proprietary database tools are used to rank the performance of mutual funds for trade on a daily basis.

As mutual funds merge and consolidate,  databases and ranking systems are kept current, so that performance may be constantly monitored.

SELECTING WHEN TO BE IN THE MARKET

Managers at Signalert and Appel Asset Management reach daily decisions on  the current market climate i.e. which environmental factors are impacting the major indices, and which mutual fund groups are performing well: value vs growth, large cap vs small cap, etc.

Sectors are examined for signs of strength and weakness e.g. retail, finance, healthcare, utilities, semiconductors etc.

If it is determined that the market is too volatile or is significantly turning down, portfolios are redeemed into cash, or hedged with puts or short positions in order to protect client portfolios.

Most importantly, the performance and risk of every client account is carefully monitored.