
Fisher Investments is a global investment management firm that takes a unique approach to investing. They focus on equity investing, with a strong emphasis on long-term growth.
Their investment approach is built around the idea of "no-load" funds, meaning that investors don't pay fees to buy or sell shares. This approach allows Fisher Investments to keep costs low and pass the savings on to their clients.
Fisher Investments uses a team-based approach to investing, with a group of experienced investment managers working together to make decisions. This collaborative approach allows them to share knowledge and expertise to make more informed investment decisions.
Their investment philosophy is centered around the idea of "price is what you pay, but value is what you get." This means that they focus on buying high-quality companies at a fair price, with the goal of generating long-term returns for their clients.
Fisher Investments Overview
Fisher Investments is an independent money management firm founded by Ken Fisher in 1979. It was incorporated in 1986 and was led by Fisher as CEO until July 2016, when he was succeeded by Damian Ornani.
Fisher Investments is known for its top-down, global investment approach, which involves analyzing broad global economic, political, and sentiment drivers to forecast market conditions and develop investment themes.
The firm has a long history of innovation in investment research and philosophy, with Ken Fisher being credited with defining and using the price-to-sales ratio (PSR) as a forecasting tool in his 1984 book Super Stocks.
Fisher's investment philosophy is based on studying the stock returns and P/E Ratios of six investment categories, including large-cap value, mid-cap value, small-cap value, large-cap growth, mid-cap growth, and small-cap growth.
Fisher Investments was among the first institutional money managers to offer small-cap value investing to clients in the late 1980s, a category that was not well-defined until then.
Here are some key facts about Ken Fisher and Fisher Investments:
- Ken Fisher is a 1950 birth and a living person.
- He is an American finance and investment writer, money manager, and billionaire.
- Fisher Investments is valued at about $13 billion, following a minority stake purchase in June 2024.
- Ken Fisher retains majority beneficial ownership and more than 70% of the voting shares following the sale.
Top-Down Global Investment Approach
Fisher Investments is known for its top-down global investment approach, which involves studying large-scale market trends and economic indicators to inform investment decisions.
This approach was influenced by Fisher's research on the price-to-sales ratio (PSR), which he first defined and used as a forecasting tool in his 1984 book Super Stocks.
Fisher's team at Fisher Investments began offering small-cap value investing to clients in the late 1980s, a category that wasn't formally defined until then.
Their investment philosophy is based on studying stock returns and P/E Ratios across various categories, including large-cap value, mid-cap value, and small-cap value.
Fisher's team analyzes these categories to identify trends and patterns that can inform investment decisions.
Here are the six investment categories Fisher studied to develop his investment philosophy:
- Large-cap value
- Mid-cap value
- Small-cap value
- Large-cap growth
- Mid-cap growth
- Small-cap growth
Investment Philosophy
Fisher's investment philosophy is built around identifying undervalued stocks. He's credited with being the first to define and use the price-to-sales ratio (PSR) as a forecasting tool in his 1984 book Super Stocks.
Fisher's research on stock returns and P/E ratios between 1976 and 1995 led him to define his investment philosophy, which is based on six investment categories: large-cap value, mid-cap value, small-cap value, large-cap growth, mid-cap growth, and small-cap growth.
Worth a look: How to Invest with a Small-cap Investment Manager
Small-cap value was not a defined investing category until the late 1980s, but Fisher Investments was among the first to offer it to clients in the late 1980s.
Fisher Investments' top-down portfolio management approach starts by analyzing global economic, political, and sentiment drivers to forecast market conditions and develop investment themes.
This approach helps the company find opportunities across investment categories before narrowing down to specific securities it believes will perform well.
Fisher's philosophy has been refined over time, and he no longer considers the PSR as useful as it once was for identifying undervalued stocks.
Experience and Approach
Fisher Investments has a depth of investment experience, with its five-member Investment Policy Committee (IPC) boasting over 150 combined years of industry experience.
The IPC monitors global economic, political, and sentiment drivers to forecast market conditions and make strategic decisions for client investment strategies.
This top-down, global investment approach starts by analyzing broad global economic, political, and sentiment drivers to forecast market conditions and develop investment themes.
Fisher Investments finds opportunities across investment categories before narrowing down to the specific securities it believes will perform well moving forward.
Kenneth Fisher, the founder of Fisher Investments, has a unique background that has contributed to the company's success.
Life and Work

Growing up in a family of influential investors had a lasting impact on Kenneth Fisher. His father, Philip A. Fisher, was a stock investor who likely instilled in Ken a strong foundation for his future career.
Fisher's early life was marked by hard work, earning $1.20 an hour at just 13 years old. He dropped out of high school to pursue his education.
After studying forestry at Cal Poly Humboldt, Fisher graduated with an associate degree in economics in 1972. Humboldt State University recognized his achievement by awarding him the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.
Fisher's entrepreneurial spirit led him to start Fisher Investments in 1979 with just $250. By 2024, the company had grown to manage over $275 billion in assets.
In 2007, Fisher expanded his business globally by founding Grüner Fisher Investments in Germany with Thomas Grüner.
Intriguing read: Grüner Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments' Experience
Fisher Investments has a five-member Investment Policy Committee (IPC) with over 150 combined years of industry experience, monitoring global economic, political, and sentiment drivers to forecast market conditions.
Their experience is led by Ken Fisher, the founder and chairman of the company. He founded Fisher Investments in 1979 and remained CEO until July 2016.
The IPC's depth of experience is a key factor in their ability to make strategic decisions for client investment strategies.
Institutional Group

Our institutional group stands out for its disciplined investment process, which is a top-down approach that's uniquely suited for portfolio management.
This approach is a deliberate choice, setting us apart from competitors who often use bottom-up methods.
We've honed our expertise in managing assets for a wide range of clients, including private individuals, families, companies, and institutions around the globe.
Our experience in customer care enables us to help clients achieve their investment goals.
We manage a significant amount of assets, which is a testament to our expertise and reputation in the industry.
Expand your knowledge: Fisher Investments Assets under Management
Client Services
At Fisher Investments, client services are a top priority. They offer a dedicated team of professionals who work closely with clients to understand their individual needs and goals.
Their services include personalized investment advice, portfolio management, and ongoing support. This ensures that clients receive tailored guidance and expert knowledge to help them achieve their financial objectives.
Fisher Investments' client-centric approach is built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and open communication. They strive to build long-term relationships with their clients, rather than just focusing on short-term gains.
Their experienced investment managers are responsible for creating and managing client portfolios, using a disciplined and systematic approach to investment decision-making. This approach helps to minimize risk and maximize returns.
Fisher Investments also offers a range of investment products and services, including individual and institutional portfolios, as well as retirement and estate planning solutions. Their goal is to provide clients with a comprehensive and integrated wealth management solution.
Their client services are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing clients to adjust their investment strategies as their needs and goals change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside of Fisher Investments?
Fisher Investments has several downsides, including no brokerage platform and high investment management fees. Additionally, it requires a significant $500,000 minimum portfolio and has a basic website with limited research tools.
Who is Fisher Investments owned by?
Fisher Investments is owned by Ken Fisher, who retains majority beneficial ownership and over 70% of the voting shares after a $13 billion investment deal. Ken Fisher maintains significant control over the company despite the investment.
What happened with Fisher Investments?
Fisher Investments has undergone a significant change in ownership, with Ken Fisher selling a portion of his personal holdings to Advent and ADIA, while retaining a majority stake. This marks the first time the company, previously solely owned by the family and employees, has had outside investment.
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