The Four C's of Investment Costs | bps and pieces (2024)

Alternative investments are generally more expensive than stock and bond funds. I'm not breaking any new ground here.

In a world where passive market beta is effectively free, investors rightfully place a greater degree of scrutiny on investments that at first glance seem relatively pricey.

Like anything in life, there is a place for low cost and a place for higher cost. Sometimes we want a burger from McDonald’s and other times we splurge on a bone-in ribeye from a nice steakhouse.

All else equal, the lower the cost the better - more money in our pockets. The challenge in investing is that all else is rarely equal. Trade-offs must be weighed and evaluated, and the costs of any investment must be contextualized. To help with this conversation, I like to frame fund expenses in terms of what I call the Four C’s of Investment Costs: Capacity, Craftsmanship, Complexity, and Contribution.

  • Capacity: The amount of capital a strategy can prudently oversee without degrading its integrity is of paramount importance to its cost. The reason market-cap weighted U.S. large-cap stock index funds are essentially free is because they have near infinite capacity. So, while the expenses as a percentage are infinitesimal, from a dollar standpoint they can create meaningful revenue for an asset manager given the incredibly large base they have to charge it on. Conversely, asset classes like catastrophe reinsurance aren’t as scalable. To offer such a strategy at Vanguard-like fees would not be profitable.
  • Craftsmanship: For nuanced strategies, implementation and design choices can make all the difference between success and failure when translating something that works on a spreadsheet into the real world. Fees should be commensurate with the level of detail involved in the development and execution work needed to maximize efficacy and minimize slippage.
  • Complexity: Assets with a higher degree of embedded intricacy typically require oversight and management from people with highly specialized talent, knowledge and expertise that are not as plentiful as found in other well-trodden corners of investing. Higher degrees of compensation naturally accompany useful skills that are in high demand and scarce supply.
  • Contribution: Investments that are structurally uncorrelated to things people already own and that offer meaningful risk premiums are valuable and thus should command a premium price. The more differentiated and additive to the portfolio, the more willing you should be to pay up.

The visual below summarizes the main features of low-cost and high-cost assets:

The Four C's of Investment Costs | bps and pieces (1)

When evaluating the expenses of different investment products, we must avoid comparing apples and oranges, or worse yet apples and orangutans. The expenses of an S&P 500 ETF should have no bearing on whether a managed futures mutual fund is deemed reasonable or overpriced. Similarly, a "smart beta" ETF that costs 20 bps might appear dirt cheap at first glance. But if you look under the hood, you might discover that for all intents and purposes the fund isn’t that much different than the broad market—which you can own for 3 bps. In this scenario, you are paying a great deal for the minimal amount of active risk being taken. On the flip side, the price tag for a liquid alternative mutual fund might seem steep at 1.25%, but when measured against a similar hedge fund that charges 2 and 20 it could be a bargain.

Costs can be a tricky subject to navigate when selecting funds and building portfolios. What’s important is that you don’t overpay for things you can get for much cheaper. When you do decide to pay up, make sure you have a high degree of confidence the expected benefits will survive the additional costs. As Cliff Asness has stated, “there is no investment product so good gross, that there isn’t a fee that could make it bad net.”

The Four C's of Investment Costs | bps and pieces (2)

About the author

Phil Huber, CFA, CFP®

Phil is the Head of Portfolio Solutions for Cliffwater, a leading alternative investment adviser and fund manager. Prior to joining Cliffwater in 2024, Phil was the Chief Investment Officer for Savant Wealth Management, a multi-billion dollar wealth management firm. Phil has been involved in the financial services industry since 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago. More about me here. Twitter: @bpsandpieces

The Four C's of Investment Costs | bps and pieces (2024)

FAQs

The Four C's of Investment Costs | bps and pieces? ›

To help with this conversation, I like to frame fund expenses in terms of what I call the Four C's of Investment Costs: Capacity, Craftsmanship, Complexity, and Contribution.

What are the 4 C's of investing? ›

Mortgages may be for thirty years. Some corporations, such as Disney, have issued “century bonds” that will repay the original principal in 100 years. Before loaning anyone your hard-earned money, remember the 'Four Cs' of credit: character, collateral, covenants and, the most important, capacity.

What are the costs of investments? ›

What are Investment Costs? Investment costs are costs associated with acquiring, keeping and selling an asset. They include but are not limited to broker fees, trading fees, or expense ratios. Investment costs can impact the return on your investments.

What are the components of cost of investment? ›

Common investing costs include expense ratios, market costs, custodian fees, advisory fees, commissions, and loads. Research has shown that lower-cost funds tend to have better returns than higher-cost funds.

What are the 5 different fees or costs related to investments? ›

High investment fees could have a major impact on your portfolio. Here are five common fees that you may see when you invest: advisory fee, expense ratio, sales charge, trading fee, and transfer fee.

What does the 4 C's mean? ›

The 21st century learning skills are often called the 4 C's: critical thinking, creative thinking, communicating, and collaborating. These skills help students learn, and so they are vital to success in school and beyond.

What are the 4 C's of finance? ›

Character, capital, capacity, and collateral – purpose isn't tied entirely to any one of the four Cs of credit worthiness. If your business is lacking in one of the Cs, it doesn't mean it has a weak purpose, and vice versa.

What is the cost of investment cost? ›

The amount of money spent for the investment, investment expenditure required to exercise the option (cost of converting the investment opportunity into the option's underlying asset, i.e. the operational project).

What is the cost basis of investments? ›

For stocks and bonds, the cost basis is generally your purchase price for the securities, including reinvested dividends or reinvested capital gains distributions, plus additional costs such as the commission or other fees you paid to complete the transaction.

What are investments at cost? ›

The cost method of accounting for investments is used when the investor owns less than 20% of the company and the fair market value of the firm is difficult to identify. The investment is recorded at historical cost. Any distribution from profits or dividends are recognized as income.

What are the four components of investment spending? ›

On a macro level, the formula is written as: Investment Spending = Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - Consumption (C) - Government Spending (G) - Net Exports (NX).

What is the cost method of investments? ›

Under the cost method, an investment is reported at its historical cost, which is not subsequently adjusted unless an impairment occurs.

What is the cost model of investment? ›

Under the cost model, investment property is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

What are the four types of costs? ›

Costs are broadly classified into four types: fixed cost, variable cost, direct cost, and indirect cost.

What are typical investment fees? ›

Mutual Funds
Mutual Funds
U.S. Bond Index Fund0.22%
Intermediate-Term Bonds Average0.94%
International Large Cap Stock Average1.37%
Emerging Market Stocks Average1.69%
4 more rows

How to find the cost of investment? ›

First, find the total cost of the investment. To do this, add the cost of goods sold to the operating expenses. The total expenses are $65,000 ($45,000 + $20,000). Then, subtract the total expenses from the revenue.

What is the 4 C's protocol? ›

The routine provides learners with a structure for a text-based discussion built around making connections, asking questions, identifying key ideas, and considering application.

What are the 4 basic rules for investors? ›

  • Goals. Create clear, appropriate investment goals. An investment goal is essentially any plan investors have for their money. ...
  • Balance. Keep a balanced and diversified mix of investments. ...
  • Cost. Minimize costs. ...
  • Discipline. Maintain perspective and long-term discipline.

What is the rule of 4 C's? ›

The four C's of 21st Century skills are:

Critical thinking. Creativity. Collaboration. Communication.

What is the 4 C concept? ›

The 4 C's of Marketing are Customer, Cost, Convenience, and Communication. These 4C's determine whether a company is likely to succeed or fail in the long run. The customer is the heart of any marketing strategy. If the customer doesn't buy your product or service, you're unlikely to turn a profit.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 5914

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.