ABSOLUTE RETURNS

Most investment programs offered in the financial services industry are geared toward producing performance that is favorable in comparison to one or more market indexes. Thus, if a portfolio's "relative performance" is higher than a given benchmark index, the money manager can claim it "beat the market."

The plain truth about this focus on relative performance is that money managers can claim to be successful even when they have double-digit losses, as long as their losses are not as large as their benchmark's.

That's why the primary goal of the investment strategies we recommend is to produce "absolute returns", which generally produce consistent positive returns in both up and down market environments. Absolute returns are more meaningful performance yardsticks than relative performance. Many experts believe that long-term track records are created by preserving capital in down markets as much as participating in up markets. The primary focus is upon preservation of capital, with growth of capital a secondary objective. You might say that by minding the downside, the strategy lets the upside take care of itself.

Absolute return strategies are designed to mitigate the potential impact of losses.

"Avoiding short-term underperformance is the key to long-term out-performance."  - John Mauldin

The SYGMA investment method is a disciplined asset approach designed to produce absolute returns.

The unique structure maximizes returns and minimizes losses. We do this by using the concept of 'capture'. If an investor can avoid the losses, it takes only a fraction of the positive gains to match (or beat!) the market.

It is accomplished by assuring that under any economic climate at least one of the core four independent assets is working to make money, primarily income.

The portfolio collective requires minimal attention and only occassional adjustments.

Benchmark returns are established to monitor performance and assure that the portfolio complies with the prescribed methodology.

Our strategies seek to spread investments over a selection of areas that (as a whole) have historically posted positive returns in various market conditions. This strategy has OUT-PERFORMED other strategies. Audited historical data and operating results are available.

See ' ROI target and performance' page.