Managed Investment Strategies
SkyOak Capital manages a range of investment strategies designed to serve different roles within a client’s portfolio. These include actively managed individual-stock strategies, diversified ETF portfolios, tactical strategies and income-focused investments.
Many of our investment strategies are managed internally by SkyOak rather than outsourced to a third-party portfolio manager. This gives our investment team direct oversight of portfolio construction, security selection and ongoing changes within the strategies.
A client’s overall portfolio is still individualized. We may combine multiple SkyOak strategies with individual securities, fixed income, mutual funds, outside managers or other investments based on the client’s goals, risk tolerance, income needs, tax considerations and financial plan.
Our Managed Investment Strategies
SkyOak has developed and manages investment strategies with different objectives and levels of risk. Depending on the client, one or several strategies may be used within the overall portfolio.00
RAAMPS Equity Strategies
RAAMPS — Risk-Averse, Actively Managed Portfolio Strategy — is the methodology used within SkyOak’s actively managed individual-stock portfolios.
SkyOak currently manages four primary RAAMPS equity strategies: Big 10, Strong 50, Future 50 and AlphaDog. Each has a different investment objective and portfolio construction approach.
The strategies use a disciplined process for evaluating, ranking and monitoring securities. Portfolio holdings may change as market conditions and the underlying investment signals change.
FireOak ETF Portfolios
SkyOak’s FireOak portfolios use exchange-traded funds to provide diversified exposure across different asset classes and levels of risk.
The portfolios range from Conservative to Aggressive Growth, allowing the investment allocation to be matched to a client’s objectives, time horizon and tolerance for market fluctuations.
FireOak portfolios may be used for individual investment accounts as well as employer retirement plans.
Tactical ETF Strategy
SkyOak also manages a tactical ETF strategy designed to adjust portfolio positioning as market conditions change.
Rather than maintaining the same allocation through every market environment, the strategy provides greater flexibility to increase or reduce exposure based on the investment process and prevailing market conditions.
Strategic Yield
Strategic Yield is SkyOak’s income-focused investment strategy, designed for investors seeking portfolio income while maintaining an emphasis on diversification and risk management.
Dividend-paying stocks represent a significant allocation within the strategy, complemented by other income-producing investments based on market conditions, interest rates and available opportunities. Holdings and allocations are actively reviewed as income opportunities and market conditions change.
ESG Strategy
SkyOak also offers an ESG-focused investment strategy for clients who want environmental, social and governance considerations incorporated into their investment portfolio.
The strategy provides diversified market exposure while incorporating ESG criteria into the investment selection process. It may be used as part of a broader portfolio based on the client’s investment objectives, risk tolerance and preferences.
Tax-Aware Investing & Municipal Bonds
Tax efficiency is considered throughout SkyOak’s investment process for taxable accounts. Portfolio decisions may take into consideration capital gains and losses, holding periods, income taxation, asset location and the tax characteristics of different investments.
For clients seeking income in taxable accounts, SkyOak also has extensive experience constructing and managing municipal bond portfolios. Individual municipal bonds may be used to provide tax-exempt income while allowing us to consider credit quality, maturity, call features, state of residence and the client’s overall income needs.
Tax considerations are incorporated into portfolio management when appropriate, while tax-deferred and tax-free retirement accounts allow investment decisions to be made without the same current income and capital-gain considerations.
Outside Managers & Specialized Investments
SkyOak uses an open-architecture approach and is not limited to its own investment strategies.
When appropriate for a client, we may use outside investment managers, mutual funds, specialized strategies or other investments that we believe can serve a particular role within the portfolio.
Outside managers and investments are evaluated as part of the client’s overall investment strategy and may have separate management fees or underlying investment
expenses.
How We Build a Client Portfolio
The fact that SkyOak uses managed strategies does not mean every client receives the same portfolio.
We begin with the client—their financial goals, time horizon, income needs, risk tolerance, tax circumstances and existing investments. From there, we determine an appropriate overall allocation and which investment strategies may best serve each part of the portfolio.
A client may hold one SkyOak strategy or a combination of strategies across multiple accounts. We may also retain existing investments when appropriate, incorporate individual securities or fixed income, or use outside managers and other investments when they add value to the overall portfolio.
The allocation is reviewed over time and can change as markets, financial circumstances and client objectives change.
In-House Investment Management
A distinguishing feature of SkyOak’s investment approach is that many of our investment strategies are managed internally rather than simply outsourced to third-party portfolio managers.
This gives our investment team direct involvement in the portfolios we manage and allows us to make changes to our strategies as market conditions and investment opportunities evolve.
When an outside manager or specialized investment is appropriate, SkyOak evaluates how that investment fits within the client’s broader portfolio and continues to monitor its role within the overall allocation.
Who This Is For
SkyOak’s managed investment strategies may be used for clients across a wide range of financial circumstances and stages of life.
This may include investors focused on long-term growth, individuals approaching or living in retirement, clients seeking portfolio income, executives with concentrated investment positions, business owners investing proceeds from a liquidity event, and investors who want a combination of long-term and actively managed strategies.
The strategies used—and the allocation among them—depend on each client’s individual circumstances rather than a predetermined portfolio based solely on age or account size.
Fees
SkyOak’s managed investment strategies are generally provided as part of our Investment Management services. Advisory fees depend on assets managed and the services provided and are disclosed in writing before an engagement begins.
Certain mutual funds, ETFs, outside managers and other investments may have their own expenses or management fees in addition to SkyOak’s advisory fee.
Complete information about SkyOak Capital’s investment management fees is available on our Fees page and in the firm’s Form ADV.
Your Investment Advisors
SkyOak’s investment strategies are managed in-house, giving our advisors direct oversight of the portfolios and the ability to respond as market conditions and investment opportunities change.
Jennifer Davis, CFP®, Founder & CEO, has more than 35 years of investment experience and is responsible for managing and trading SkyOak’s internally managed portfolios. Jennifer developed several of the firm’s investment strategies and oversees their ongoing implementation.
SkyOak’s RAAMPS strategies use a proprietary, rules-based investment program originally developed by Derek Davis, Director of Investment Strategies. The program evaluates securities using defined investment parameters and generates buy and sell signals as those conditions change. Jennifer manages and trades the portfolios using the RAAMPS process and signals as part of SkyOak’s broader investment management approach.
Jennifer and Damien Rennie, Senior Wealth Advisor, work directly with clients to determine which strategy—or combination of strategies—is appropriate based on the
client’s objectives, risk tolerance, income needs, tax considerations and overall financial plan.
FAQs
Questions About SkyOak’s Managed Investment Strategies
Do I get a model portfolio or a customized portfolio?
Your overall investment allocation is customized to your financial circumstances, objectives and risk tolerance. Individual SkyOak strategies may be managed using a consistent model, but the combination of strategies and investments used within your overall portfolio is determined specifically for you.
Does SkyOak manage its own investment strategies?
Yes. SkyOak manages a number of its investment strategies internally, including actively managed equity and ETF strategies. We may also use outside managers and other investments when we believe they are appropriate for a client’s portfolio.
Does every client use RAAMPS?
No. RAAMPS is one component of SkyOak’s investment capabilities. Whether a RAAMPS strategy is used—and how much is allocated to it—depends on the client’s objectives, risk tolerance, account types, tax considerations and overall investment strategy.
Are the strategies actively managed?
Some are. SkyOak uses both longer-term and actively managed approaches. Certain strategies may change holdings or market exposure more frequently, while others are designed to maintain a longer-term allocation.
Can SkyOak use investments I already own?
Yes. We review existing investments before making changes and may retain individual securities, funds or other holdings when appropriate. Tax consequences, diversification, investment characteristics and the client’s overall financial plan are considered when evaluating existing positions.
Does SkyOak use outside investment managers?
Yes, when appropriate. SkyOak uses an open-architecture approach and may incorporate an outside manager or specialized investment when we believe it serves a useful role within the client’s portfolio. Outside managers may charge a separate fee in addition to SkyOak’s advisory fee.