WrapManager's Wealth Management Blog
When life changes, we can help you thoughtfully respond.

Shake-Up at Windhaven Investment Management

Posted by WrapManager's Investment Policy Committee

July 29, 2014

In 1994, Steve Cucchario founded what would later become Windhaven Investment Management, an investment advisory firm that uses actively managed ETF portfolios1 to “capture growth in rising markets while attempting to reduce exposure in declining ones.”2

Now, after 20 years running the company and serving as Chief Investment Officer, Cucchario has left for “personal reasons.”1

Investors who have assets with Windhaven or are considering investing should speak with their financial advisor about the implications of Cucchario’s departure. Windhaven’s initial success and tremendous growth came partially as a result of Cucchario’s vision and leadership, so investors must ask themselves if the future performance of the strategy is jeopardized by his departure.

Will the principles that Cucchario instilled in Windhaven that led to its success also depart with him?

[+] Read More

Windhaven Investment Management

Windhaven Investment Management’s 3 Strategies: Which Is Right For You?

May 1, 2014
In November 2010, Charles Schwab acquired the assets and intellectual property of Winward Investment Management (now operating under the name Windhaven Investment Management). In doing so, Schwab now offers the three Windhaven money manager strategies to its retail clients, providing a distinct approach to investing for growth and risk management. The Windhaven strategies have grown in popularity since Schwab’s acquisition, though many investors may be unsure of how each strategy differs in its approach.1 Which of the Windhaven Investment Management strategies is right for you? [+] Read More

Windhaven Investment Management: Managing Risk in a Down Market

December 27, 2013
Money manager Windhaven Investment Management has ranked consistently in our Monthly Top Ten Most Researched Money Managers for some time. Many investors request information about Windhaven because they are attracted to Windhaven’s stated potential ability to capture returns in up-markets, while also seeking to limit losses during market downturns. Below are some insights to help investors who are evaluating Windhaven’s investment strategies. (This is for informational and comparison purposes only. WrapManager is not affiliated with Windhaven Investment Management, and it has not approved for use nor entered into contracts with them.) Windhaven Investment Management Investment Strategies Windhaven Investment Management is a Registered Investment Advisor firm based out of Boston, MA, with over $15 billion in assets under management.1 In November 2010, Charles Schwab acquired Windhaven in an effort to broaden their investment offerings to their clients.2 Windhaven’s investment strategies include Diversified Conservative, Diversified Growth, and Diversified Aggressive, of which Diversified Growth is the most popular.3 [+] Read More

Windhaven Misses Its 12-Month Benchmarks Again but Still Hits Asset-Gathering Mark

December 18, 2011
RIABiz, an online publication geared towards financial advisors, recently reported on money manager Windhaven Investment Management's year to date performance and asset growth. "Since Charles Schwab & Co. acquired it a year ago, the Boston-based money manager's assets have surged 77% - to $8 billion from $4.5 billion." Windhaven's "three portfolios underperformed their benchmarks for the 12-month period ended October 31, but the company is raking in assets despite the relatively low returns." WrapManager has repeatedly advised against chasing recent past performance. Investors are often attracted to the latest 'hot' manager and the associated recent returns. Click here to download our report about the dangers of chasing past performance. We illustrate these dangers using Churchill Management Group’s performance as an example. "Windhaven's portfolios," as the article continues, "comprising primarily exchange-traded funds, are built to help investors weather bad markets by lessening their risk while often not generating quite as much return in an up market." "The three strategies are performing as expected, over the long term - which is what they are designed to do," says Bryan Olson, president of Windhaven. "While the long-term growth is strong, Olson concedes that these funds typically do better in a down market but won't perform as well in an up-tick." This can be seen during the market turmoil of 2008. To learn more about Windhaven, their strategies, and Windhaven's performance, simply click here and request the information you would like. Source: RIABiz Get Free Research Reports about Windhaven Investment Management [+] Read More