Two ways to work with us
NinePointTwo offers Prism, its tax-aware long/short strategy, in two arrangements.
Investors can work with us directly. Investors who work with an advisor can bring that advisor into the relationship.
In both arrangements, the same portfolio managers run the account.
What every client receives
- 01
The same strategy
Direct and advisor clients get the same tax-aware long/short strategy, researched, built, and traded in-house by our team.
- 02
You talk to the portfolio managers
Questions about your account go to the people who build and run the models. Clients who come to us directly and clients who work with an advisor get the same access.
- 03
Your account, customized to you
The account is held in your name. Leverage, tracking error, tax modeling, and benchmarks are set around your circumstances.
Fee levels vary by firm and by mandate. Custody, execution, and financing costs arise in both arrangements. Our fee terms are set out in our Form ADV.
How to evaluate a tax-aware long/short manager
Investors comparing tax-aware long/short managers ask similar questions. We would ask these of any manager, ourselves included.
- 01
Who builds the models
Ask whether the manager researches its alpha and tax models in-house or licenses them from someone else. Then ask whether the people who built them are the ones running your account.
- 02
How you will reach the people running the strategy
Some investors go direct and some invest through an advisor they trust. Either arrangement can work well. Ask who picks up the phone when you have a question about your account. Then ask whether it is someone on the team running the strategy.
- 03
The goal of the strategy
The long/short extensions should seek pre-tax alpha and be something you would want to hold regardless of any potential tax benefit. Ask how the manager forecasts returns, and how it sets benchmarks, tracking error, and leverage around your situation.
- 04
Who does the ongoing work
These are not simple accounts to run on your own. Wash sales, leverage and financing, coordination with the rest of your portfolio, and the eventual unwind of the strategy all need ongoing attention. Ask how much of that work the manager takes on, and how much stays with you.
- 05
Minimums
Minimums in this category run from six figures to eight. Ask what you get at your asset level, and whether it includes time with the strategy's managers.
Common Questions
Which arrangement is right for me?
It depends mostly on whether you have an advisor you want to keep involved. Investors without one can work with us directly. Investors with one can bring that advisor into the relationship. Either way, the strategy and the portfolio managers are the same.
Who do I talk to about my account?
The portfolio managers who build and run the strategy. That is the same in both arrangements. An advisor can join those conversations.
Can my existing advisor stay involved?
Yes. We work alongside an advisor, accountant, or estate attorney already in place. Advisors can also add the strategy to a client's own account themselves. The For Advisors page explains how.
Is going direct always cheaper?
Not necessarily. Fees depend on the specific terms of each arrangement. A client who works with an advisor also pays for that advisor's broader advice.
Request a meeting
Tell us which approach interests you and we will follow up to arrange a conversation.
Disclosures
This page is a general comparison of two ways of accessing investment strategies and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not describe any specific advisor, platform, or manager, and arrangements vary. Nothing here is investment, tax, or legal advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to end an advisory relationship. Investing involves substantial risk, including the possible loss of principal. Tax-aware long/short strategies involve unique risks, including short selling and leverage, and may not be suitable for all investors. The effectiveness of tax management strategies depends on individual taxpayer circumstances and may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results. See our Disclosures page for additional important information.
Talk directly with the team
A conversation with NinePointTwo is a conversation with the people who design and run the strategies. An existing advisor is welcome in it.