Meet the Fisher Investments Founder Behind the Investment Firm's Success

Ken Fisher's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at a young age, as he started his first business, a newsletter, at just 14 years old.

Fisher's passion for investing and business led him to the University of Oregon, where he graduated with a degree in economics.

He began his career in finance by working for a small investment firm, but it wasn't long before he set out to create his own company.

Fisher Investments was founded in 1979, and it has since become one of the largest independent investment firms in the world.

Kenneth Fisher was born in San Francisco, California, the son of influential stock investor Philip A. Fisher.

He dropped out of high school and went to Cal Poly Humboldt to study forestry, graduating with an associate degree in economics in 1972.

Fisher earned $1.20 an hour picking fruit, sawing, and fertilizing at just 13 years old.

He later founded Fisher Investments in 1979 with just $250, which grew to over $275 billion in assets under management by 2024.

Fisher's entrepreneurial spirit was recognized by Humboldt State, which awarded him its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.

Kenneth Fisher was born in San Francisco, California, the son of influential stock investor Philip A. Fisher.

He was raised in San Mateo, California, where he developed a strong work ethic from a young age.

As a 13-year-old, Fisher earned $1.20 an hour picking fruit, sawing, and fertilizing.

He dropped out of high school and went on to study forestry at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Fisher graduated with an associate degree in economics in 1972.

Humboldt State recognized Fisher with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.

In 1979, Fisher started Fisher Investments with just $250.

By 2024, Fisher Investments had grown to over $275 billion in assets under management.

Fisher was appointed to the board of advisors of the Forbes School of Business at Ashford University in 2015.

In 2007, Fisher founded Grüner Fisher Investments in Germany with Thomas Grüner.

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Philanthropy played a significant role in the life of the founder, as evident from his generous donations.

In 2006, the founder gave $3.5 million to establish the Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology at Humboldt State, which supports graduate students, laboratories, and field equipment for canopy studies.

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His goal was to transform our understanding of trees and forests through this donation.

The founder's philanthropic efforts continued in 2012, when he and his wife gave $7.5 million to Johns Hopkins University to fund the Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases.

This donation was a result of much deliberation, but ultimately, it was approved to support the center's mission.

Fisher Investments has a long history, founded by Ken Fisher in 1979 and incorporated in 1986. Fisher remained CEO until July 2016, when he was succeeded by Damian Ornani.

The firm offers personalized service to its clients, tailoring a portfolio to their specific goals and risk tolerance. This approach is based on Fisher's investment philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of understanding each client's current financial situation and future objectives.

Fisher's Investment Policy Committee (IPC) actively manages the firm's strategies, regularly monitoring economic conditions and market sentiment to devise new investment approaches. This active management approach sets Fisher Investments apart from some fee-only advisors.

Fisher Investments was among the first to offer small-cap value investing to clients in the late 1980s, a category that was not widely recognized until then.

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Fisher Investments is a leading independent money management firm founded by Ken Fisher in 1979.

Ken Fisher founded Fisher Investments and was its CEO until July 2016, when he was succeeded by Damian Ornani.

The firm was incorporated in 1986 and has since grown significantly under Fisher's leadership.

Fisher Investments is valued at about $13 billion, according to the recent minority stake purchase deal.

This deal, announced in June 2024, saw Advent International and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority agree to purchase a minority stake worth between $2.5 billion and $3 billion.

Ken Fisher will retain majority beneficial ownership and more than 70% of the voting shares after the sale.

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Fisher Investments takes a personalized approach to investing, tailoring a portfolio to each client's unique goals and financial situation.

Their investment strategy is based on a thorough assessment of each client's age, risk tolerance, current needs, and future objectives. This approach ensures that the portfolio is aligned with the client's overall financial well-being.

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Fisher Investments uses an active management approach, regularly monitoring economic conditions and market sentiment to devise new investment strategies and update existing ones. This proactive approach helps to adapt to changing market conditions and maximize returns.

The Investment Policy Committee (IPC) plays a crucial role in this process, making informed decisions about asset allocation and investment selection. The IPC's expertise and experience help to guide the investment strategy and ensure that it remains aligned with the client's goals.

One key aspect of Fisher Investments' approach is their use of the price-to-sales ratio (PSR) as a forecasting tool. However, in recent years, they have moved away from relying solely on this indicator, recognizing its limitations.

Fisher Investments has a minimum requirement of $500,000 in investable assets, targeting high-net-worth individuals and those approaching retirement age. This focus on high-net-worth clients allows them to provide tailored investment solutions that meet the unique needs of each individual.

Their investment philosophy is centered around a long-term, goal-oriented approach, which is reflected in their WealthBuilder accounts. These accounts have a lower minimum requirement of $200,000 and are designed for high earners who are looking to build their wealth over time.

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Here are the key elements of Fisher Investments' investment philosophy:

Fisher Investments charges annual fees based on the total amount of assets it manages, with a progressive fee structure that's similar to the US tax system.

The fee structure breaks down into three brackets: 1.25% on the first $1 million, 1.125% on the next $4 million, and 1% on anything over $5 million.

If you have a portfolio of $15 million, your total annual fee would be $157,500, calculated as $12,500 on the first $1 million, $45,000 on the next $4 million, and $100,000 on the remaining $10 million.

Fisher Investments also charges a pass-through commission of $7-10 per trade, which goes to its broker.

As a fee-only advisor, Fisher Investments only makes money based on the value of your assets, which can be a good thing if you want to avoid misaligned incentives.

Here's a breakdown of the fee structure:

Whether or not Fisher Investments is worth the fee is a matter of opinion, but its clients seem to think so, even if the fees are slightly higher than the industry average.

If you're new to investing, it can be overwhelming to navigate the different options available. Fisher Investments has developed various guides to help you get started.

Their guides cover a range of topics, including personal wealth management and institutional investing. You can find detailed information on these topics by checking out their guides.

Fisher Investments offers personalized wealth management services, which can be a game-changer for those looking to manage their finances effectively. Their 401(k) services for businesses are also a popular option.

Here are some of the specific guides you can explore: