Fisher Investments: A Smart Choice For Your Money?

Fisher Investments is a fee-only, fiduciary money management firm offering wealth management services to individual investors and 401(k) and investing services to larger businesses and institutions. The company was founded in 1979 by Ken Fisher and has billions of assets under management. Fisher Investments offers a flexible, personalized approach to investing, with a dedicated Investment Counselor to help clients meet their goals. However, the firm has a high minimum investment requirement of $500,000, making it inaccessible to many.

Fisher Investments provides comprehensive investment support, including creating and managing portfolios, financial planning, and retirement planning. The firm has a clean disciplinary record and has received recognition from various industry publications. While it offers a high level of service, the advisory fees are higher than those of robo-advisors or hybrid investment companies.

Overall, Fisher Investments is a reputable firm that caters to high-net-worth individuals seeking a highly personalized investing experience and long-term investment guidance.

High fees

Fisher Investments has been described as having fees that are higher than what you'd pay with a robo-advisor or even a hybrid investment company. The company operates a fee-only structure, meaning that instead of charging commission-based fees, it charges an annual fee based on the size of your portfolio. This fee is between 1% and 1.5%, depending on the number of investments under management.

While this fee structure is comparable to fees assessed by other non-robo-advisor investment management companies, it is still significantly higher than the fees typically charged by robo-advisors, which are usually 0.3% or less.

For example, for its WealthBuilder accounts, which are for clients with smaller portfolios, Fisher Investments charges a 1.5% fee. This is higher than the standard annual fee, which ranges from 0.5% to 1.25% of assets under management.

For its Income-Only Accounts, Fisher Investments offers lower management fees for accounts over $5 million, with the lowest rate being 0.28% for assets over $45 million. However, for accounts under the $500,000 threshold, clients are still billed at an annual rate of 1.5%.

In addition to these management fees, clients may also have to pay brokerage commissions, custodian fees, and expenses associated with investing in ETFs or structured notes.

The high fees charged by Fisher Investments are considered a drawback of the company's services, especially when compared to the fees charged by other investment management companies and robo-advisors. These high fees may be a deterrent for potential clients, especially those with smaller portfolios or those seeking cost-effective investment options.

High minimum investment

Fisher Investments is a fee-only registered investment advisor (RIA) with a minimum investment requirement of $500,000 for most clients. This high minimum investment makes Fisher Investments only accessible to high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm does offer some flexibility with its WealthBuilder accounts, which require a minimum investment of $200,000. These accounts are approved on a case-by-case basis and are subject to a higher fee rate of 1.5%.

The high minimum investment required by Fisher Investments may be a significant barrier for many potential clients. This requirement limits the accessibility of the firm's services to those with a substantial amount of capital to invest. While the WealthBuilder accounts offer a lower minimum, they are not guaranteed and are subject to higher fees.

The high minimum investment reflects Fisher Investments' focus on serving high-net-worth clients. The firm's services are tailored towards individuals with significant capital to invest and are seeking a personalized and flexible investment approach. The firm's fees are also structured accordingly, with rates ranging from 1% to 1.5% of assets under management.

Overall, the high minimum investment required by Fisher Investments is a significant consideration for potential clients. While it may be a suitable option for high-net-worth individuals, those with smaller investment amounts may need to explore alternative options that are more accessible and better suited to their needs.

Personalised service

The Investment Policy Committee (IPC) is responsible for making investment decisions, taking a top-down approach and focusing on asset allocation. The IPC is led by Ken Fisher, who has a 75% ownership stake in the firm. The IPC works with other teams, including the Portfolio Evaluation Group, to assess the success of a client's portfolio against their personal profile.

The company's investment philosophy is based on the belief that no one investment strategy is always superior, so it takes an active approach to investing. This means that Fisher Investments can respond to market changes and make adjustments to client portfolios as necessary. The firm uses a framework called The Four Market Conditions to determine appropriate investment strategies based on projected market conditions.

Fisher Investments also provides clients with comprehensive resources and educational tools, including quarterly investment reports, online videos, investment training books, seminars, workshops, and a retirement planning guide.

Long-term support

Fisher Investments is a good option for people who are looking for long-term support from an investment firm. The company offers a highly personalized investing experience, with customized advice and support in all aspects of an individual's financial life, from spending and savings to investing and retirement planning.

The firm's services are completely personalized to an individual's investment goals and financial situation. After signing up, clients are paired with a dedicated Investment Counselor who will help them accomplish their goals and meet their targets. The Investment Counselor acts as a point of contact at Fisher Investments and provides comprehensive, ongoing support. They collaborate with specialized teams, including the Investment Policy Committee, Portfolio Evaluation Group, Research Department, Trading Team, and Client Operations, to oversee the client's portfolio and offer advice.

Fisher Investments is a fiduciary, meaning its advisors are legally obligated to act in the client's best interest and provide greater transparency. The firm's fees are higher than those of a robo-advisor or even some hybrid investment companies, and there is a high minimum investment requirement of $500,000, making it inaccessible to those who are just starting out. However, for those looking for long-term support, Fisher Investments offers the guidance and resources needed to strategize, re-strategize, and adjust their investing strategies as life changes occur.

Not ideal for frequent, active traders

Fisher Investments is not ideal for those seeking a low-cost approach or those who wish to independently manage their capital. The company is also not suitable for frequent, active traders as it is an advisory and money management firm that caters to a more hands-off approach.

The firm decides when it makes sense to buy and hold, and when to trade on your behalf. If you are someone who wants to choose all your trades and feel confident enough to make those decisions, Fisher Investments is not the right choice for you.

Fisher Investments is a stockbroker that offers dedicated advisors for personalized assistance, catering to clients who prefer hands-on support. The company is focused on long-term investment strategies and is responsible for the care of portfolio management.

The broker provides an individual financial plan for each client, taking into account their financial situation and circumstances. This means that the trading process is run by managers, and independent trading is not available.

The company does not offer a way to open an account online, and you must visit one of their physical offices to do so. Additionally, the high minimum deposit of $500,000 makes it inaccessible to many potential investors.

If you are looking for a low-cost, independent trading platform, there are other options available that may better suit your needs.

Frequently asked questions