Portfolio Strategies: Cornerstone
Portfolio Strategies
SAM Cornerstone
What is Cornerstone?
The Cornerstone strategy offered by Stansberry Asset Management, LLC (“SAM”) is designed to be an optimal strategy for accounts with a starting balance less than or equal to $100,000. This strategy features thematic elements from our All-Weather and Forever strategies.
Cornerstone is meant for long-term investing and is focused on owning high-quality businesses expected to perform well through a full market cycle. We may also invest in securities that serve as hedges in the event that the market suffers a significant drawdown.
As compared to SAM’s strategies used for larger accounts, this streamlined strategy will typically hold fewer positions and be traded less frequently.
An Optimal Strategy for Smaller Accounts
SAM’s goal for this strategy is to provide an investment option for smaller accounts that may not have sufficient capital to be managed in the same manner as SAM’s other strategies. Our All-Weather strategy is designed to help shelter assets from stock market volatility. Our Forever portfolio invests in the world’s greatest businesses. Combining aspects of both these strategies, Cornerstone has excellent long-term growth potential and is built to perform well in a number of different market environments.
Top 10 Holdings as of 9/30/2023
| HOLDING | TICKER | WEIGHTING |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabet Inc Class A | GOOGL | 6.56% |
| US Dollars | — | 5.78% |
| Shell PLC A Spons ADR | SHEL | 5.45% |
| Microsoft Corp | MSFT | 4.91% |
| Verisk Analytics Inc | VRSK | 4.90% |
| Visa Inc | V | 4.77% |
| Western Asset Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunity & Income | WIW | 4.71% |
| Home Depot Inc | HD | 4.70% |
| American Express Co | AXP | 4.38% |
| Coca Cola Company | KO | 3.87% |
When you invest in Cornerstone, you can expect:
Diversification
While this strategy tends to be more concentrated than our other strategies, we still prioritize diversification to avoid overexposure to any particular sector or individual security. Cornerstone typically features about 20 investment securities.
Enduring Growth
This strategy typically features what we believe to be the best businesses that investors can own. They tend to feature durable competitive advantages that place them in a league of their own and insulate them from competition.
Downside Protection
This strategy is designed to be less risky and less volatile than the broader stock market. We seek to accomplish that using a variety of tactics, including investing in nontraditional assets such as precious metals and real estate, and by actively increasing our allocation to cash when we find it prudent to do so.