This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.
By Jay Mooreland via Iris.xyz
Advisors are beginning to pay more attention to fees, and acknowledging that they are an important part of the discussion. Many advisors, rightly so, do not want to discount their fees much because of the value they bring. It’s not just financial planning or investment advice, it’s also the behavioral coaching part of it. And even Vanguard has found that behavioral coaching is worth 1.5% per year.
Disclosed vs. Hidden Fees
The great majority of advisors I know offer their services for a fee, primarily based on assets under management. Fees typically range from 0.9% to 1.1%. Of course each advisor can charge more or less than that, but that seems to be par for the course. And the industry has accepted 1.0% as a reasonable charge.
The AUM fee is an example of a disclosed fee. It is on Form ADV and often disclosed on an advisor’s website or marketing materials. I do not believe an advisor’s fee needs to come down; I am more about helping advisors ensure that they actually earn that fee (many do not). Much of an advisor’s fee today is hidden – in the form of expense ratios and trading costs of actively managed mutual funds. That is the fee I am most concerned about.
Doing What is Right For the Client
I believe there are certain managers and management styles that are unique, and may offer value to a portfolio. I actually own a few actively managed funds and recommend them as well to clients.
But there are way too many “closet indexers” out there; too many funds that aren’t different enough to justify their fees. One negative with instant dissemination of information, and having lots of skillful managers out there, is that it levels the playing field. Luck starts playing a greater role in outcomes.
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