How We Manage Portfolios

L. Roy Papp & Associates, LLP, is a manager of growth, balanced and fixed income portfolios for both taxable and tax-exempt clients.  The underlying philosophy for investment management is that equities provide a greater long-term return than fixed-income securities, and that the return on equities will exceed inflation, thus maintaining the purchasing power of the assets. 

Portfolios are normally fully invested. The firm does not attempt short-term judgments regarding the direction of the equity markets or interest rates. Based upon perceived long-term changes in the economy or markets, the asset allocation (the percentage invested in equities, fixed-income, and cash) of a balanced account may change, but such changes are evolutionary, and do not involve mass sales or sudden shifts in direction. The primary driving factor for changes in asset allocation is the control of risk in the portfolio, not an attempt to profit by the prediction of short-term market fluctuations.

Equity management, the area of greatest emphasis by the firm, is based upon the conclusion that enhanced portfolio value is obtained through ownership of above-average companies purchased at prices which do not reflect their superior long-term earnings growth which, in most instances, must be at least ten years of consistent earnings increases. Furthermore, the company is expected to produce above-average profitability, as measured by return on equity, with such profitability resulting from operating efficiency rather than financial leverage. And finally, cash flows are examined to determine sustainability of growth. 

Our investment strategy is to purchase growth stocks at a reasonable price. We focus on companies with a global presence, that are leaders in their industries, with a strong record of product or service innovation, and who benefit from technology or have used technology in such a way that gives them a significant strategic advantage. We also focus on companies that are expected to benefit from the ongoing demographic shift in the United States as the baby boom generation matures. Industries with a significant presence in our firm’s portfolios include healthcare, financial services, technology, industrials and consumer products. 

Companies that operate in economic sectors that are subject to the extremes of cyclical variation or operate in highly regulated industries are not normally considered for inclusion in client portfolios. In general, this results in exclusion of most or all of the companies in such industries as air transportation, basic chemicals, steel, nonferrous metals, lodging, automobiles, utilities and coal.