Brooks Philipps Nelson

Provides software, IT consulting, cloud and infrastructure services

Nelson Capital Management (NCM) specializes in socially responsible and sustainable investing. The firm seeks to provide for the long-term growth of assets while minimizing the volatility of returns. NCM selects investments from high-quality stocks, bonds, cash equivalents, alternative investments and offers access to other investment resources or mutual funds when appropriate. NCM's investment process begins with establishing strategic and tactical asset allocation weightings for various asset classes including directional shifts regarding domestic versus international, growth versus value, large-cap versus small-cap and high-quality versus low-quality. The firm uses proprietary metrics in their asset allocation decisions and also uses non-proprietary tools to review historical asset class performance, correlations and volatility. NCM also utilizes Monte Carlo simulations at this level for specific clients to test the probabilities of reaching their long-term goals. The firm's Large-Cap Equity strategy is based on a GARP investment approach that targets companies that demonstrate leadership in growing industries and are currently undervalued relative to the broader markets. A proprietary framework, based on quantitative techniques, fundamental analysis and qualitative judgment is used to assess the attractiveness of companies. In this process, tactical sector positioning is continuously evaluated. For fixed-income investments, NCM considers a variety of macroeconomic indicators including various interest rate and economic forecasts. Fixed-income securities are selected based on exemplary credit rating, competitive projected returns and other factors. NCM's fixed-income strategy is dependent on each client's tax sensitivity. NCM's customized socially responsible portfolios offer clients the opportunity to earn competitive returns through investments that are consistent with their personal values. The firm analyzes corporate behavior using over 40 social screens, including both supportive and exclusionary criteria, which cover a broad range of social issues. Companies are screened based on: community impact, corporate governance, diversity, employee relations, environment and sustainability, international relations and human rights and products and services. Screens following specific religions are also available including Catholic, Conservative Christian and Islamic. Companies that are automatically excluded from NCM's socially responsible investment portfolios include: (1) companies that derive revenues from the production of tobacco products or from activities closely associated with the production of tobacco products (2) companies that manufacture handguns, automatic weapons or rifles or that derive substantial revenues from the distribution and/or sale of handguns or weapons and (3) companies that generates electricity from nuclear fuels or own an interest in a nuclear power plant (4) companies that derive substantial revenue from the design or construction of nuclear power plants (5) companies that mine, process or enrich uranium or are otherwise involved in the nuclear fuel cycle (6) companies that derive substantial revenues from the sale of key parts or equipment for generating power through using nuclear fuels (7) companies whose primary business involves the manufacture or distribution of handguns and/or weapons and (8) companies that derive substantial revenue from Defense Department contracts which involve the manufacturing of weapons. The Wells Fargo Advantage Social Sustainability Fund employs a similar strategy as NCM's socially responsible client portfolios. The process begins with a quantitative approach using fundamental valuation criteria to identify strong companies that are priced below their intrinsic value. NCM then employs both exclusionary and inclusionary social screening processes. The screening process incorporates full integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related factors. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in securities which meet the funds investment and social sustainability criteria. The fund avoids companies that are determined as having a weak corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability records. The fund also avoids investments in companies significantly involved in: (1) manufacturing tobacco products (2) manufacturing alcoholic beverages (3) gambling operations or (4) manufacturing weapons. The fund seeks to invest in companies that are determined to have met some of the following positive environmental, social and governance criteria: (1) sound corporate governance and business ethics policies and practices (2) good environmental compliance and performance records (3) safe and healthy work environments and fair treatment of employees and (4) contribution to the quality of life in the communities in which they operate.

Nelson Capital’s in-house research team of investment professionals implements an active management strategy, conducting primary research on individual securities. The firm builds a client’s customized portfolio considering factors such as low-basis stock, overexposure to a company or industry due to stock option grants, or other mandates within which the client would like their assets to be managed.

Engaged in investment banking, brokerage and trading

Functions as a College/University