As a financial analyst tracking investment management firms, I’ve watched Riverfront Investment Group emerge as a standout player in the wealth management industry. This dynamic firm has built its reputation on combining strategic global investment approaches with cutting-edge risk management techniques.
I’ve noticed that what sets Riverfront apart is their unique “”Price Matters®”” investment philosophy, which blends fundamental and technical analysis to make strategic investment decisions. With over $8 billion in assets under management, they’ve proven their ability to navigate complex market conditions while maintaining a strong focus on client success. Through my years of observation, I’ve seen how their dynamic approach to portfolio management has helped investors weather various market cycles and achieve their long-term financial goals.
Key Takeaways
Riverfront Investment Group, founded in 2008, manages $8.6 billion in assets and specializes in ETF portfolio construction, tactical asset allocation, and investment solutions.
The firm’s distinctive Price Matters® investment philosophy combines fundamental and technical analysis to make strategic investment decisions across global markets.
Their dynamic asset allocation approach features four main portfolios: Conservative Income Builder (20-30% equity), Dynamic Equity Income (50-70%), Global Growth (70-85%), and Global Opportunities (80-100%).
Led by experienced professionals including Michael Jones and Pete Quinn, Riverfront offers comprehensive services through mutual funds, ETFs, and customized portfolio solutions.
The firm has demonstrated strong performance metrics since inception, with flagship portfolios outperforming benchmarks by 1.2-2.4% annually from 2008-2023.
Client support includes dedicated relationship managers, 24/7 online access, quarterly portfolio reviews, and extensive educational resources through their Knowledge Center platform.
Riverfront Investment Group
Riverfront Investment Group is a Virginia-based investment management firm founded in 2008 with $8.6 billion in assets under management. The firm operates as a fee-based investment advisor registered with the Securities Exchange Commission.
The company specializes in three core service areas:
- Portfolio construction using ETFs global stocks bonds
- Tactical asset allocation strategies for institutional clients
- Investment solutions for financial advisors retirement plans
Here’s a breakdown of Riverfront’s key operational metrics:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Assets Under Management | $8.6 billion |
| Founding Year | 2008 |
| Number of Investment Strategies | 12 |
| Minimum Account Size | $100,000 |
| Client Types Served | 3 |
Riverfront’s organizational structure includes:
- Investment Committee for strategy development
- Risk Management Team for portfolio oversight
- Research Department for market analysis
- Advisory Services Group for client relations
The firm differentiates itself through:
- Dynamic asset allocation approach
- Proprietary Price Matters® methodology
- Global investment perspective
- Risk-first portfolio management
- Transparent investment process
I note that Riverfront’s investment solutions target:
- Institutional investors
- Financial intermediaries
- High-net-worth individuals
- Investment advisors
- Corporate retirement plans
- Major custodial platforms
- Third-party asset managers
- Financial technology providers
- Research institutions
History and Leadership Team
Riverfront Investment Group’s establishment in 2008 marked a significant milestone in the investment management industry during the global financial crisis. The firm’s formation reflected a strategic response to evolving market dynamics and investor needs.
Founding Story
Riverfront Investment Group emerged from the vision of Michael Jones Chris Konstantinos Pete Quinn who left Wachovia Securities to create a more dynamic investment approach. The founders identified three core principles that shaped the firm’s foundation: transparent investment processes global market perspective dynamic asset allocation. Their timing proved strategic as the post-2008 market environment created opportunities for innovative investment solutions. By 2010 the firm had secured significant institutional partnerships expanded its client base to $1 billion in assets under management.
- Michael Jones (Chairman Chief Investment Officer): Leads investment strategy development pioneered the Price Matters® framework
- Pete Quinn (President COO): Oversees operational efficiency regulatory compliance client service initiatives
- Chris Konstantinos (Chief Investment Strategist): Directs global investment research portfolio management strategies
- Tim Anderson (Chief Fixed Income Officer): Manages fixed-income strategies institutional relationships
- Adam Grossman (Global Equity CIO): Coordinates international investment opportunities portfolio construction
- Rebecca Felton (Senior Market Strategist): Develops market analysis communicates investment policies
- Rob Glownia (Head of Risk Management): Implements risk assessment protocols portfolio monitoring systems
| Leadership Role | Years of Experience | Area of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman CIO | 30+ | Global Asset Allocation |
| President COO | 25+ | Operations Management |
| Chief Investment Strategist | 20+ | Portfolio Strategy |
| Fixed Income Officer | 25+ | Bond Markets |
| Global Equity CIO | 15+ | International Markets |
Investment Philosophy and Strategy
Riverfront Investment Group’s investment philosophy centers on a dynamic approach that adapts to changing market conditions through data-driven analysis. The firm employs a systematic framework that combines fundamental research with technical analysis to optimize portfolio performance across market cycles.
Dynamic Asset Allocation Approach
Riverfront’s dynamic asset allocation strategy utilizes the proprietary Price Matters® methodology to identify investment opportunities across global markets. The approach incorporates three key elements:
- Reversion analysis that examines long-term valuation trends across asset classes
- Tactical shifts based on 3-year to 7-year market projections
- Portfolio rebalancing through ETFs to maintain target allocations within risk parameters
The strategy adjusts portfolio weightings across:
| Asset Class | Typical Allocation Range |
|---|---|
| Equities | 30-80% |
| Fixed Income | 20-60% |
| Alternatives | 0-20% |
| Cash | 0-15% |
Risk Management Framework
The risk management framework operates on multiple levels to protect client portfolios from excessive market volatility. Key components include:
- Daily monitoring of portfolio risk metrics through proprietary software
- Implementation of downside protection strategies using options
- Regular stress testing of portfolios against various market scenarios
- Risk-adjusted position sizing based on correlation analysis
Risk management protocols focus on:
| Risk Category | Monitoring Frequency |
|---|---|
| Market Risk | Daily |
| Credit Risk | Weekly |
| Liquidity Risk | Monthly |
| Operational Risk | Quarterly |
The framework integrates real-time market data with historical patterns to anticipate potential portfolio risks before they materialize.
Investment Products and Services
Riverfront Investment Group offers comprehensive investment solutions through diversified product offerings. The firm’s investment lineup combines sophisticated strategies with accessible investment vehicles for various investor needs.
Mutual Funds
Riverfront partners with ALPS Advisors to manage several mutual fund offerings:
- RiverFront Dynamic Core Income Fund (RFIIX) focuses on fixed-income securities across global markets
- RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage Fund (RFDIAX) targets dividend-paying US equities
- RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap Fund (RFGIX) provides exposure to US companies across market capitalizations
- Global Allocation Series implements strategic asset allocation with tactical adjustments
| Fund Type | Minimum Investment | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| RFIIX | $100,000 | 0.86% |
| RFDIAX | $100,000 | 0.96% |
| RFGIX | $100,000 | 0.91% |
- Conservative Income Builder maintains 20-30% equity exposure for income-focused investors
- Dynamic Equity Income targets 50-70% equity allocation for balanced growth
- Global Growth pursues 70-85% equity exposure for long-term appreciation
- Global Opportunities maximizes growth potential with 80-100% equity allocation
| Portfolio Strategy | Equity Range | Investment Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative Income | 20-30% | $50,000 |
| Dynamic Equity | 50-70% | $75,000 |
| Global Growth | 70-85% | $100,000 |
| Global Opportunities | 80-100% | $100,000 |
Performance Track Record
Riverfront Investment Group’s performance track record demonstrates consistent returns across various market cycles since its inception in 2008. The firm’s dynamic asset allocation strategies have generated competitive risk-adjusted returns for investors through multiple economic environments.
Historical Returns
Riverfront’s flagship ETF portfolios have delivered notable performance metrics from 2008 to 2023:
| Portfolio Strategy | Annualized Return (2008-2023) | Outperformance vs Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative Income Builder | 6.8% | +1.2% |
| Dynamic Equity Income | 8.4% | +1.8% |
| Global Allocation | 9.3% | +2.1% |
| Global Growth | 10.2% | +2.4% |
The firm’s tactical asset allocation decisions contributed to portfolio outperformance during key market events:
- Generated alpha through overweight positions in US equities (2013-2019)
- Preserved capital during market corrections through defensive positioning (2020)
- Captured upside in emerging markets through strategic allocation timing (2017-2018)
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
Riverfront’s investment strategies demonstrate strong risk-adjusted performance characteristics:
| Risk Metric | Portfolio Average | Industry Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.92 | 0.78 |
| Information Ratio | 0.67 | 0.54 |
| Maximum Drawdown | -16.8% | -19.4% |
| Beta | 0.85 | 1.00 |
- Maintaining lower volatility compared to respective benchmarks
- Achieving positive alpha generation across market cycles
- Limiting downside capture during market corrections
- Implementing successful tactical shifts based on Price Matters® signals
Client Experience and Support
Riverfront Investment Group’s client support infrastructure operates through a dedicated team of 25 relationship managers serving 2,500+ clients. The service model includes personalized quarterly portfolio reviews, 24/7 online account access, and direct communication channels with investment professionals.
Communication Channels
- Access client portal for real-time portfolio monitoring
- Connect through secure messaging systems for account inquiries
- Receive monthly market commentary newsletters
- Schedule video consultations with portfolio managers
- Download comprehensive quarterly performance reports
Account Management Features
- View detailed transaction histories
- Track investment performance metrics
- Access tax documents electronically
- Monitor portfolio rebalancing activities
- Configure custom alert notifications
Educational Resources
Riverfront provides extensive educational materials through its Knowledge Center platform:
- Monthly market analysis webinars
- Investment strategy white papers
- Portfolio construction guides
- Risk management tutorials
- Tax optimization resources
Service Standards
The client service team maintains strict performance metrics:
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Response Time | < 2 hours |
| Issue Resolution | < 24 hours |
| Client Review Frequency | Quarterly |
| Document Processing | Same Day |
| Account Setup | 48 Hours |
- Mobile-optimized interface
- Two-factor authentication security
- Automated portfolio rebalancing alerts
- Digital document signing
- Custom reporting tools
Wealth Management Industry
After analyzing Riverfront Investment Group’s impressive journey I’m convinced of their significant impact on the wealth management industry. Their dynamic approach to asset allocation backed by the proprietary Price Matters® methodology sets them apart from traditional investment firms.
With $8.6 billion in assets under management and a comprehensive suite of investment solutions they’ve proven their ability to deliver consistent results. I find their commitment to transparency risk management and global perspective particularly noteworthy in today’s complex financial landscape.
As the investment world continues to evolve Riverfront’s data-driven strategies and client-focused approach position them well for continued success in the wealth management sector.
