When you reach your 60th birthday, you're expected to pause and perhaps revel in your longevity. Apparently, no one told this to the folks at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich. Founded in 1937, the San Francisco manager is entering its sexagenarian years with greater activity than any time in its history, said Wentworth's Jeffrey Roylance.
"We're kind of unique in that we're one of the oldest money management firms west of the Mississippi, and have always stressed the importance of one-on-one contact," said Mr. Roylance, in charge of marketing.
The company manages about $2 billion, divided equally between fixed income and equities.
Mr. Roylance noted the $90 million WHV small-cap equity fund is growing by leaps and bounds as institutional investors seek out "micromanagers" capable of finding financial pearls in an ocean of overpriced algae. In the latest Pensions & Investments' Performance Evaluation Report, the WHV small-cap fund had a 13.1% return for the second quarter and 34.5% for the three years.
But in a world where change is the only constant, can Wentworth presevere? Mr. Roylance thinks so.
"We don't chase hot deals. We do our research and turn over all the needed rocks to find what we need to find. And as long we maintain our basics of what got us here, there's no reason we can't succeed for another 60 years."
