The Last Mutual Fund Manager Standing | How Eric Crittenden Defied the ETF Boom to Build a $1B Fund
Jan 7, 2025
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Eric Crittenden, CIO and Founder of Stand Point Asset Management, shares his journey of defying the ETF boom to build a $1 billion mutual fund in under five years. He discusses innovative all-weather investing strategies and the crucial role of diversification. Crittenden also contrasts mutual funds with hedge funds, emphasizing management simplicity over complexity. He sheds light on client acquisition strategies, particularly focusing on independent financial advisors, and underscores the evolving landscape of investment choices in today's market.
Despite the rise of ETFs and private funds, the mutual fund industry remains strong, managing over $20 trillion in assets.
Standpoint Asset Management's unique 'all-weather' strategy combines equities, fixed income, and commodities to offer resilience in volatile markets.
Strong relationships with smaller financial advisors have been crucial for Standpoint's growth to over $1 billion AUM, emphasizing personalized service and transparency.
Deep dives
Current Landscape of Mutual Funds
The mutual fund industry remains robust, with over $20 trillion in assets under management, even as other investment vehicles like ETFs and private funds gain popularity. Major firms such as AQR and PIMCO continue to launch new mutual funds, while smaller managers also find success in raising substantial AUM. However, the competitive landscape has changed, with many advisors questioning the viability of mutual funds over ETFs. Despite these challenges, mutual funds maintain a significant market share, particularly for investors seeking long-term wealth growth.
Standpoint's Unique Investment Approach
Standpoint Asset Management focuses on an 'all-weather' investing strategy, which combines global equities, fixed income, and commodities. This approach allows the firm to offer a diversified portfolio that aims for a relatively smooth ride in volatile markets. Unlike traditional trend-following strategies, Standpoint integrates equity exposure directly into its core product instead of layering it separately. This holistic strategy is designed to retain assets during market fluctuations by providing a more attractive risk-reward profile for investors.
Building Investor Relationships
Standpoint's growth to over $1 billion AUM has been largely driven by the development of strong relationships with small and medium-sized financial advisors across the U.S. Initially starting with a seed investment of $4 million, Standpoint attracted numerous smaller investors who appreciate the personalized service and transparency. The firm's ability to track a significant portion of its investor base allows for meaningful communication and relationship management, which is less common in ETF structures where investor anonymity is prevalent. This direct engagement fosters trust and helps retain clients during challenging market periods.
Challenges of Diversification
The podcast discusses the difficulties advisers face when attempting to maintain diversified portfolios during market downturns. Many clients express interest in alternatives only after experiencing losses, making it critical for managers to educate and prepare them in advance. Standpoint seeks to provide a solution that integrates diversification across various asset classes, which allows clients to avoid the emotional and timing traps often associated with investing in alternatives. The aim is to ensure that clients hold onto their investments, even when trends shift and unfavorable market conditions arise.
The Future of Asset Management Strategies
As the financial landscape evolves, Standpoint is optimistic about the increasing demand for diversified investment strategies amidst rising interest rates and economic uncertainties. During active discussions, it's noted that prosperity may come from positioning in positive expected value bets that carry a lower probability of success. The firm emphasizes the importance of being systematic and rules-based to navigate these challenging environments. This approach may lead to more recognition and acceptance of unique investment strategies like Standpoint's as advisors look for ways to mitigate risks effectively.
When was the last time you heard about an exciting new mutual fund launch? It’s probably been a while. Despite ETFs, hedge funds, and burgeoning asset classes like private credit taking all the headlines, mutual funds still control over $20 trillion in AUM. So, how does one raise assets in the 2020s with a product many associate with a time gone by? Eric Crittenden, CIO and Founder of Stand Point Asset Management, joins OPM to share how his mutual fund has done just that and reached over $1 billion in AUM in less than 5 years.
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Follow Standpoint on Twitter: https://x.com/StandpointFunds
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