Investment Management
SkyOak Capital provides discretionary investment management for individuals, families, trusts and business owners. We build and manage portfolios around each client’s financial goals, income needs, time horizon and tolerance for risk, with a particular focus on managing downside risk while pursuing long-term growth and income.
Our investment approach is not limited to a single investment style. Depending on the client, portfolios may combine individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fixed-income investments, mutual funds, separately managed accounts, proprietary SkyOak investment strategies and, when appropriate, alternative investments.
We believe investment management should evolve as markets and clients’ lives change. Portfolios are actively monitored and adjusted based on the client’s needs, investment opportunities and changing market conditions.
How SkyOak Capital Builds a Portfolio
Every portfolio begins with understanding the client—their goals, time horizon, income and liquidity needs, risk tolerance, tax considerations and investments they may already own. From there, we determine what the portfolio needs to accomplish and how the assets should be allocated to support those objectives.
- Purpose-Driven Asset Allocation
We generally think about investments according to the role they serve within a portfolio: growth, preservation and inflation protection. The appropriate allocation among these areas is based on the client’s financial plan, income needs, time horizon and tolerance for risk.
This framework gives each part of the portfolio a purpose and helps clients understand not only what they own, but why they own it.
- Investment Selection
Once we determine what each part of the portfolio needs to accomplish, we select investments and strategies appropriate for that purpose.
SkyOak uses an open-architecture approach, allowing us to select from a broad range of investments rather than being limited to proprietary strategies or a single investment provider. Depending on the portfolio, we may use individual stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, separately managed accounts, outside investment managers, SkyOak-managed strategies and alternative investments for eligible clients.
Investment decisions also consider risk, liquidity, existing holdings and tax efficiency, including tax-loss harvesting and managing gains and losses in taxable accounts.
- Ongoing Portfolio Management
Our work does not end once a portfolio is invested. We actively monitor portfolios and make adjustments as market conditions, investment opportunities and client needs change.
Ongoing management may include rebalancing, taking profits, raising cash for upcoming needs, tax-loss harvesting and adjusting individual investments or strategies. In taxable accounts, we also consider the tax impact of trades and opportunities to offset realized gains with losses when appropriate.
As a client’s income needs, goals or circumstances change, the portfolio evolves with them.
Risk-Managed, Actively Managed: SkyOak Investment Strategies
Managing risk is central to SkyOak Capital’s investment philosophy.
We do not believe successful investment management requires predicting exactly what markets will do next. Instead, we combine long-term investment principles with active management and disciplined processes designed to identify changes in market conditions and adjust exposure when appropriate.
There is no single SkyOak approach for every client. We use a combination of actively managed strategies, longer-term investment approaches and customized portfolio management based on each client’s objectives, risk tolerance, income needs, tax considerations and existing investments.
Actively Managed Equity Portfolios
SkyOak manages several actively traded equity portfolios using RAAMPS — Risk-Averse, Actively Managed Portfolio Strategy, our proprietary investment methodology. Each portfolio has an established group of investments and follows disciplined buy and sell signals based on fundamental and technical analysis.
When predetermined indicators weaken, individual positions may be sold and the portfolio may hold more cash rather than remaining fully invested. SkyOak Capital manages and executes the investment decisions within these portfolios.
Risk management does not eliminate investment losses, and moving to cash or reducing market exposure may result in a strategy participating less fully in subsequent market gains.
ETF Portfolios
We also manage diversified portfolios using primarily low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with allocations ranging from conservative to aggressive growth.
SkyOak has established ETF portfolios available for different risk levels, as well as a longer-term Tactical ETF strategy. Our advisors may also construct ETF portfolios based on the individual client’s objectives and circumstances.
Income & Fixed Income Strategies
For clients who need income or greater emphasis on preservation, portfolios may include individual municipal and taxable bonds, bond funds, income-oriented investments and other fixed-income strategies.
SkyOak also manages Strategic Yield, an income-focused strategy we have managed for more than 12 years. Strategic Yield is actively monitored and adjusted as investment opportunities and market conditions change, with an emphasis on generating portfolio income while managing risk.
Fixed-income investments and strategies are selected based on the client’s income needs, tax situation, liquidity needs, time horizon and overall portfolio.
Customized Portfolios
Not every client comes to SkyOak with cash to invest. Many have existing investments, including concentrated or highly appreciated positions with significant unrealized gains. We evaluate those holdings and the potential tax consequences before making changes and, when appropriate, build the portfolio
around investments the client already owns.
What the Service Includes
- A customized investment strategy based on the client’s goals, financial circumstances, risk tolerance and broader financial plan
- Discretionary portfolio management, allowing SkyOak to buy, sell and rebalance investments within agreed-upon investment guidelines
- Ongoing monitoring of investments, outside managers and SkyOak-managed strategies
- Portfolio adjustments as market conditions or client circumstances change
- Investment reviews with the client at least annually and more frequently based on client needs or significant market conditions
- Financial planning support as part of the investment management relationship
- Portfolio reporting and online access to account information
- Access to alternative investments for eligible clients when appropriate
Client assets are held with an independent qualified custodian, primarily Charles Schwab. SkyOak Capital does not take possession of client funds or securities.
Who This Is For
SkyOak Capital’s investment management services are designed for individuals and families who want professional portfolio management tailored to their goals, risk tolerance and financial circumstances.
Our clients span different ages and stages of wealth. They include younger investors focused on long-term growth and wealth accumulation; professionals and executives managing concentrated stock positions, company stock or stock options; individuals investing the proceeds of a business sale, inheritance or other liquidity event; and retirees who need their portfolios to provide income while managing risk over a long retirement.
We also work with families who want their investment strategy coordinated with retirement, tax, estate, insurance and legacy planning rather than making those decisions independently.
Our actively managed and risk-managed strategies may appeal to investors who want an investment approach that can adjust portfolio exposure as market conditions change, while our broader investment capabilities allow portfolios to be customized for different growth, income and preservation objectives.
There is no firm-wide minimum relationship size, although certain investment strategies may require minimum investment amounts to operate effectively. A minimum annual advisory fee may apply.
Fees
Investment management fees are tiered based on assets under management. Fees begin at 1.25% annually on the first $1 million and decline at higher asset levels.
Our current investment management fee schedule is:
1.25% on the first $1 million
1.00% on the next $1.5 million
0.80% on the next $7.5 million
0.65% on assets above $10 million
Investment advisory fees are subject to a $2,400 annual minimum. Custodian, fund, investment manager and other third-party expenses, when applicable, are separate from SkyOak Capital’s advisory fee.
Complete fee schedules, billing practices and additional information are available on our Fees page and in SkyOak Capital’s Form ADV.
Your Advisors
Investment management clients work with Jennifer Davis, CFP®, Founder and CEO, or Damien Rennie, Senior Wealth Advisor. Jennifer and Damien work with clients to develop and manage investment portfolios based on their individual goals, risk tolerance, income needs and broader financial plan.
Jennifer leads SkyOak Capital’s investment management practice and manages the firm’s actively managed investment portfolios. Damien provides investment management and financial planning for individuals, families and business owners, including clients focused on long-term growth and wealth accumulation.
With offices in Las Vegas, the San Francisco Bay Area and Medford, Oregon, SkyOak Capital serves investment management clients across the United States.
FAQs
Questions About Investment Management at SkyOak Capital
Is SkyOak Capital’s investment management discretionary?
Yes. Investment management clients generally authorize SkyOak Capital to buy, sell and rebalance investments within agreed-upon investment guidelines without requiring approval for every transaction. Clients may establish reasonable investment restrictions as part of their advisory relationship.
What is RAAMPS?
RAAMPS stands for Risk-Averse, Actively Managed Portfolio Strategy. It is SkyOak Capital’s proprietary investment methodology used with several of our actively managed equity portfolios.
RAAMPS uses fundamental and technical analysis to generate disciplined buy and sell signals. When predetermined indicators weaken, individual positions may be sold and the portfolio may hold more cash rather than remaining fully invested.
RAAMPS-powered strategies are one component of SkyOak Capital’s broader investment management capabilities. Whether one is appropriate depends on the client’s investment objective, risk tolerance, financial plan and overall portfolio structure.
Does SkyOak Capital invest in individual stocks?
Yes. Some SkyOak strategies invest directly in individual stocks. We may also retain individual securities a client already owns when doing so is appropriate, particularly when selling a long-held or highly appreciated position could have significant tax consequences.
Does SkyOak Capital manage ETF Portfolios?
Yes. We manage diversified portfolios using primarily low-cost ETFs, with investment approaches ranging from conservative to aggressive growth. ETF strategies may be used for individual clients as well as within certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Where are my assets held?
Client assets are held with an independent qualified custodian, primarily Charles Schwab. SkyOak Capital does not take possession of client funds or securities. Clients receive account statements directly from their custodian and have online access to their accounts.
How often will I hear from my advisor?
Investment portfolios are monitored on an ongoing basis. Formal investment reviews are generally held at least annually, with additional meetings based on client needs, significant life changes or market conditions. Clients can contact their advisory team throughout the year.
How much does SkyOak Capital charge for investment management?
Investment management fees begin at 1.25% annually on the first $1 million and decline at higher asset levels. A $2,400 annual minimum applies. Complete fee and billing information is available on our Fees page and in SkyOak Capital’s Form ADV.