Fisher Investments is a global money management firm headquartered in Texas, and it also holds a place on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisors in the US. This fee-only firm is divided into four main businesses: Fisher Investments Institutional Group, Fisher Investments Private Client Group, Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions Group and Fisher Investments International Group.
Fisher Investments has clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Though it generally calls for a $1 million account minimum for individual clients, the firm may selectively accept clients with less. High-net-worth clients comprise the largest percentage of its client base, though it also works with many non-high-net-worth and institutional clients.
Fisher Investments Background
Fisher Investments was founded in 1979 by Ken Fisher, a consistent figure in the investment world. Fisher penned his "Portfolio Strategy" column for Forbes magazine for over 30 years and has written 11 books. Investment Advisor Magazine has named Fisher one of the 30 most influential figures in the investment advisory business for the last three decades. Fisher currently serves as the firm's executive chairman and co-chief investment officer.
Since its founding almost 50 years ago, Fisher Investments has grown to serve clients across the globe. It is a privately held, fee-only firm.
Fisher Investments Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
As mentioned previously, Fisher Investments’ private client base is mostly comprised of high-net-worth individuals. It also works with less affluent individual investors, plus corporations, retirement plans, public and multi-employer pension funds, foundations, endowments, governments and investment companies.
As part of its Private Client Group, Fisher Investments generally works with individuals who have at least $1 million in investable assets. However, the firm also reserves the right to accept clients with less than that at its discretion. For clients of Fisher's other branches, minimums can vary by services or account type.
Services Offered by Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments' services for private clients include portfolio management, annuity conversion, financial planning and retirement planning. Its portfolio management services are divided into three categories, each of which is aimed at maximizing returns within risk parameters:
- Equity accounts: mainly use common stock and cash equivalents
- Fixed-income accounts: mainly use various fixed-income instruments and cash
- Blended accounts: use a combination of stocks, fixed-income instruments and cash
Fisher Investments' institutional services include institutional investing and 401(k) solutions for businesses.
Investment Philosophy
Fisher Investments believes in having a flexible investment strategy, as the firm thinks that no one investment strategy is always superior. Thus, the firm takes an active approach to investing so it can respond to the markets and make changes to client portfolios as necessary. The firm will also determine appropriate investment strategies based on projected market conditions, using a framework called The Four Market Conditions.
Fisher Investments adheres to four fundamental principles when building and managing its client portfolios in order to meet clients' long-term objectives. It selects a benchmark, which then serves as the framework for constructing the portfolio, managing risk and monitoring performance. The firm then analyzes the benchmark's components and assigns expected risk and return. The firm's third principle is to use a combination of dissimilar securities to balance risk versus reward. Lastly, the firm vows to always remember it could be wrong, so it sticks to the three aforementioned principles.
The firm's Investment Policy Committee is responsible for making investment decisions. The team takes a top-down approach, focusing first on asset allocation. The firm believes that asset allocation is the primary driver of portfolio performance. Asset allocations are customized according to various personal factors, including clients’ time horizons, risk tolerances, cash flow needs and outside assets. That step is followed by sub-asset allocation, which focuses on deciding which countries or market-sectors are likely to outperform. From there, the firm selects specific securities.
Fees Under Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments typically bills its private clients based on a percentage of assets under management. Clients are charged on a tiered schedule based on the amount of assets under management and the type of account:
| Equity and Blended Accounts | |
| Amount of Assets | Annual Management Fee |
| First $1 million | 1.25% |
| Next $4 million | 1.125% |
| Additional amounts over $5 million | 1.00% |
| Income-Only Accounts (above $5 million) | |
| Amount of Assets | Annual Management Fee |
| First $5 million | 0.75% |
| Next $10 million | 0.50% |
| Next $10 million | 0.43% |
| Next $10 million | 0.38% |
| Next $10 million | 0.33% |
| Next $45 million | 0.28% |
In addition to these fees, clients may also pay brokerage commissions, other custodian fees and expenses associated with investing in ETFs or structured notes.
Fisher Investments Awards and Recognition
Fisher Investments has been recognized by a number of industry publications in recent years. The firm holds the aforementioned spot on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisor firms in the U.S., as well as the following lists:
Additionally, the firm made CNN Underscored's list of the Best Financial Advisors in 2024, as well as Kiplinger's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards Wealth Managers list.
What to Watch Out For
Fisher Investments has no disclosures on its SEC-filed Form ADV.
Opening an Account With Fisher Investments
On its website, Fisher Investments provides two ways for prospective clients to get in touch: a dedicated set of phone numbers and a contact form. On the form, you'll have the option to send a message or request an appointment with a Fisher investment advisor. You can also search through Fisher Investments' branch locations on its website to find out if you have an office nearby.
Every private client is assigned a dedicated investment counselor. The firm provides clients with quarterly statements and written reviews from the Investment Policy Committee. Twice a year, the firm releases videos in which the committee details the firm's outlook.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
Investing Tips for Beginners
- If you have questions about investing or need help with it, a financial advisor may be able to help. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Consider how much risk you’re willing to take. Your risk tolerance will be key to determining your asset allocation. For instance, if you're a cautious investor or you're new to investing, a very conservative portfolio that consists primarily of investments like bonds may be best.
