Strategic. Evidence-Based. Disciplined.
In an industry often driven by speculation and short-term trends, Armbruster Capital Management offers a more disciplined alternative. We provide sophisticated portfolio management rooted in evidence-based wealth management and academic research for high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and corporate retirement plans.
An Evidence-Based Investment Philosophy
We believe that markets are generally efficient and that long-term wealth is built by capturing the proven drivers of return. Rather than attempting to “time” the market, we utilize a factor-based framework to tilt portfolios toward areas of higher expected returns.
Our portfolios are engineered using a four-factor model:
High Quality
High-quality companies generally have low debt and a consistent earnings history.
Low Volatility
Stocks that bounce around less are labeled “low-volatility” and tend to outperform higher-volatility stocks over long periods of time.
Value
Companies with low valuations typically outperform those with high valuations.
Momentum
Stocks with positively trending prices tend to continue to produce positive returns.
The Mechanics of Professional Stewardship
Effective portfolio management requires more than just a strategy; it requires rigorous, ongoing execution. Our team oversees the technical component of your wealth, including:
Due Diligence
We perform exhaustive research on new funds and asset classes, testing theories against our internal quantitative models before implementation.
Disciplined Security Selection
We remove the bias of “stock picking” by selecting low-cost, institutional-grade ETFs and mutual funds that best represent the return profiles identified in academic research.
Strategic Rebalancing
Portfolios naturally drift over time. We systematically rebalance your accounts to ensure your risk exposure remains aligned with your long-term objectives.
Proactive Tax-Loss Harvesting
We monitor opportunities to realize capital losses that can offset gains while retaining long-term portfolio exposures. This “Tax-Alpha” is essential for maximizing net-of-tax returns in taxable accounts.
Systemic Risk Management
We evaluate risk beyond simple market fluctuations, accounting for inflationary pressures, liquidity needs, and systemic shifts in the global economy.
The Fiduciary Standard: Transparency and Integrity
As a fee-only fiduciary, our interests are aligned with yours. We do not accept commissions, and we have no affiliations with broker-dealers. This independence allows us to provide impartial advice and select investment vehicles based solely on their merit and cost-efficiency.
By utilizing low-cost factor-based investing and minimizing unnecessary costs and taxes, we ensure that a greater portion of your market return stays in your portfolio—where it belongs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is factor-based investing?
Factor-based investing is an evidence-based approach that targets specific characteristics, or “factors,” of stocks and bonds that have historically been associated with higher long-term returns. We use diversified index funds and ETFs to increase exposure to factors such as quality, low volatility, value, and momentum
What is tax-loss harvesting?
Tax-loss harvesting allows us to turn market declines into potential tax savings by realizing capital losses that can offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio. We look for these opportunities throughout the year, not just when tax season approaches.
How often do you rebalance my portfolio?
We rebalance when your portfolio drifts far enough from its target allocation to affect your risk level or long-term plan. The goal isn’t to trade more often. It’s to keep your portfolio aligned with your objectives.
Do you pick individual stocks?
No. We primarily use low-cost, broadly diversified ETFs. That allows us to focus on factors that research has shown to drive long-term returns rather than trying to guess which individual stocks will outperform next.
What does "fee-only" mean for how my portfolio gets managed?
It means our compensation comes directly from our clients, not from commissions or product sales. We don’t receive incentives for recommending one investment over another, which helps keep our advice objective and aligned with your best interests.