DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVISORY FIRM
Portfolio Design Labs, LLC (hereinafter, with its subsidiaries,
“Portfolio Labs”) is a Limited Liability Company organized in
the State of Delaware. The firm was formed in November
2021 and the principal owner is Jason Thomas.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES –
PARTNER ADVISORY FIRM CLIENTS
Portfolio Labs offers investment advisory services, primarily
to individuals through third-party investment adviser firms
(referred to in this brochure as “Third Party Advisory Firms”
or “TPAFs” and their client advisor representatives are
referred to as “Third Party Financial Advisors” or “TPFAs”).
The Fee schedules and fee rates for the various Investment
Solutions are listed in the Fees & Investment Minimum
schedule located at the end of this Brochure.
TPFAs consult with their clients (“TP Clients”) to assess the
TP Clients’ financial situation and identify investment
objectives in order to identify investment solutions
(“Solutions”) designed to meet the TP Client’s financial
needs. In order to engage Portfolio Labs, the TP Client will
enter into an Investment Management Contract (“IMC”) that
outlines the services to be performed by Portfolio Labs.
Portfolio Labs requires discretionary authority from clients in
order to select securities and execute transactions without
permission from the client prior to each transaction.
The TPFA is responsible for determining the suitability of
various investment solutions (“Solutions”) for the TP Client’s
investment objectives and financial condition. Through its
TPFA, the TPAF, not Portfolio Labs, recommends the Solution
to the TP Client and monitors whether to recommend that the
TP Client remain in the selected Solution. As described
below, each of the Solutions uses one or more Investment
Approaches (the “Investment Approaches”) in an attempt to
achieve Investment Objectives (“Investment Objectives”) as
described below. The TPFA and TP Client can customize a
strategy by which each of the TP Client’s accounts will be
managed or maintained. The specific Solution Type and the
Investment Approaches selected for the Client’s Account(s)
are referred to as the TP Client’s “Investment Strategy.” A TP
Client will establish one or more investment accounts (each
an “Account”) with a custodian, and the TP Client’s Accounts
are collectively referred to as the TP Client’s “Investment
Portfolio.”
A TP Client will typically complete a questionnaire, or
otherwise provide information to the TPFA to enable the TP
Client and the TPFA to identify the TP Client’s rate of return
objective, risk tolerance and other relevant information. The
TP Client typically will provide the TPFA with information
concerning the Client’s investment experience, anticipated
need for liquidity, potential timing of the need for retirement
Accounts, and other investment needs and parameters. The
TPFA remains responsible for monitoring the Investment
Strategy and recommending any changes to the TP Client.
Portfolio Labs’ responsibility is to implement the Investment
Strategy chosen by the TP Client and the TPFA. Portfolio Labs
does not advise the TP Client about potential changes to the
TP Client’s Strategy.
For TP Clients of TPAFs, Portfolio Labs offers three Solutions,
each implemented by a division of Portfolio Labs (Dynamic
Wealth Management; Thematic Capital Management; and
Direct Index Strategies) focused on Investment Solutions
based on a particular Investment Approach.
Dynamic Wealth Management
Dynamic Wealth Management (“DWM”), a division of
Portfolio Labs, offers an innovative, holistic, dynamic
portfolio management service based on the individual goals,
objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance of each TP Client.
The Dynamic Outcome Target Strategy (“DOTS”) offered by
DWM is a customizable Investment Solution designed to be
used in conjunction with a financial plan.
There can be no guarantee that any Investment Solution’s
objectives will be achieved. All Investment Solutions involve
the risk of investment loss.
Thematic Capital Management
Thematic Capital Management (“TCM”), a division of Portfolio
Labs, offers focused thematic- and style-based separately
managed accounts (“SMAs”) that can be used on a stand-
alone basis or combined into a single unified managed
account (“UMA”).
Thematic investing is an approach that focuses on predicted
trends rather than specific companies or sectors, enabling
investors to efficiently pursue returns associated with
structural shifts that can affect entire industries and
economies.
There can be no guarantee that any Investment Solution’s
objectives will be achieved. All Investment Solutions involve
the risk of investment loss.
Direct Index Strategies
Direct Index Strategies (“DIS”), a division of Portfolio Labs,
offers portfolios of individual equites managed in a manner
similar to popular Accounts and ETFs. DIS portfolios are
available only as SMAs; multiple Investment Strategies
cannot be combined in a UMA.
Portfolio Labs Disclosure Brochure Page 7 of 17
Direct index investing is an approach which attempts to
improve upon the overall client experience of investing in a
commingled vehicle through the use of individual securities
and sophisticated portfolio construction techniques.
Potential benefits include increased tax efficiency, greater
precision of investment allocation, and/or lower cost.
There can be no guarantee that any Investment Solution’s
objectives will be achieved. All Investment Solutions involve
the risk of investment loss.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES –
DIRECT CLIENTS
In select circumstances, Portfolio Labs may offer investment
advisory services to an individual or institution directly (a
“Direct Client”), with no intervening TPFA. The Fee schedules
and fee rates for the various Investment Solutions are listed
in the Fees & Investment Minimum schedule located at the
end of this Brochure.
In that case, Portfolio Labs will consult with the Direct Client
about Investment Objectives in order to identify an
appropriate Investment Solution. Portfolio Labs creates an
Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”) for each client that
outlines the client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and
risk tolerance levels) and then constructs a plan to aid in the
selection of a portfolio that matches each client's specific
situation. In order to engage Portfolio Labs, the Direct Client
will enter into an IMC that outlines the services to be
performed by Portfolio Labs. Portfolio Labs requires
discretionary authority from clients in order to select
securities and execute transactions without permission from
the client prior to each transaction. Risk tolerance levels are
documented in the Investment Policy Statement, which is
given to each Direct Client.
For Direct Clients, Portfolio Labs offers Investment Solutions
from Thematic Capital Management and Direct Index
Strategies, as described above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES
With respect to services offered to TP Clients and Direct
Clients (together “Clients”), Portfolio Labs seeks to ensure
that investment decisions are made in accordance with the
fiduciary duties owed to its Clients and without consideration
of Portfolio Labs’ economic, investment or other financial
interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, Portfolio Labs
attempts to avoid, among other things, investment or trading
practices that systematically advantage or disadvantage
certain client portfolios, and accordingly, Portfolio Labs’
policy is to seek fair and equitable allocation of investment
opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid favoring
one client over another over time. It is Portfolio Labs’ policy
to allocate investment opportunities and transactions it
identifies as being appropriate and prudent among its clients
on a fair and equitable basis over time.
Account Implementation
Each Investment Solutions offered by Portfolio Labs has a
minimum investment amount (“Account Minimum”). The
Account Minimum for each Investment Solution is listed in the
Fees & Investment Minimum schedule located at the end of
this Brochure.
A Client must deposit the Account Minimum into their
Account, and if multiple deposits are made into such an
Account, the Account will not be invested and will not be
considered a managed Account until the Account balance
reaches the required minimum. A Client’s Account will be
held by the Custodian in cash or in the assets transferred in-
kind until such time as the value of the deposits to the
Account reaches the required minimum for investment.
Clients should be aware that a reasonable amount of time
will be needed to purchase, redeem and/or transfer assets,
and Portfolio Labs will not be held liable for losses or missed
gains due to market value fluctuations during the time taken
for these transactions.
Account Liquidity Reserve
To properly maintain cash flows for Client needs, a portion of
all Client Accounts invested in a Strategy is maintained in a
short-term investment vehicle. This liquidity reserve or cash
allocation is typically 2% and may be invested by Portfolio
Labs in what is generally referred to as the Custodian’s cash
“sweep” vehicle or a money market mutual Account
or other
short-term pooled investment vehicle.
Services Limited to Specific Types of
Investments
Portfolio Labs generally limits its investment advice to
equities, fixed income securities, mutual Accounts and ETFs.
Portfolio Labs may use other types of securities as well to
help diversify a portfolio when applicable.
Short-Selling
Portfolio Labs recommends that, where available, allowed
and appropriate, Clients establish Accounts allowing the
short sale of equity securities. Clients permit Portfolio Labs to
sell securities short via an Addendum to the IMC. The use of
options is not suitable for all Clients. Clients should consider
the risks and discuss with their TPFA their financial position
and objectives and whether using short-selling is
appropriate.
Short Selling Risk: An Account enters into a short sale by
selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or
other institution). If the market price of that security increases
after an Account borrows the security, an Account will suffer
a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed
security at the higher price. There is the risk that the security
Portfolio Labs Disclosure Brochure Page 8 of 17
borrowed by an Account in connection with a short sale
would need to be returned to the lenders on short notice. If
such request for return of a security occurs at a time when
other short sellers of the same security are receiving similar
requests, a "short squeeze" can occur, wherein an Account
might be compelled, at the most disadvantageous time, to
replace the borrowed security previously sold short with
purchases on the open market possibly at prices significantly
in excess of the proceeds received earlier in originally selling
the security short. Purchasing securities to close out the short
position can itself cause the price of the security to rise
further, thereby exacerbating any loss. In addition, an
Account may not always be able to borrow the security at a
particular time or at an acceptable price. Before an Account
replaces a borrowed security, it is required to designate on
its books cash or liquid assets as collateral to cover a
Account’s short position, marking the collateral to market
daily. This obligation limits an Account’s investment
flexibility, as well as its ability to make distributions. Short
sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will
reduce potential Account gains and increase potential
Account losses.
Use of Borrowing
Portfolio Labs recommends that, where available, allowed
and appropriate, Clients establish Accounts with some form
of flexible borrowing capacity (e.g., margin, asset-backed
line of credit, etc.). Clients permit Portfolio Labs to use
borrowing on a tactical (short-term) basis via an Addendum
to the IMC. The use of borrowing is not suitable for all Clients.
Clients should consider the risks and discuss with their TPFA
their financial position and objectives and whether using
borrowing is appropriate.
Borrowing Risk: An Account borrows for investment purposes
by pledging Account assets as collateral for the borrowing of
capital (typically from a broker or other institution). If the
borrowed capital is invested in securities that decline, an
Account will suffer a larger loss than it would otherwise. If the
Account value declines sufficiently, the Account may face a
“margin call” requiring the sale of assets or the addition of
capital to the Account. In that situation, an Account might be
compelled, at the most disadvantageous time, to sell
securities. Selling securities to close out the margin position
can itself cause the price of the security to fall further,
thereby exacerbating any loss. The margin requirement may
limit an Account’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability
to make distributions. Accounts must also pay interest to
borrow, which will reduce potential Account gains and
increase potential Account losses.
Options
Portfolio Labs recommends that, where available, allowed
and appropriate, Clients establish Accounts allowing the
purchase and sale of equity options. Clients permit Portfolio
Labs to use options via an Addendum to the IMC. The use of
options is not suitable for all Clients. Clients should consider
the risks and discuss with their TPFA their financial position
and objectives and whether using options is appropriate.
Options Risk: An option is an agreement that, for a premium
payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the
right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a
“put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an
amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a
specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time
or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered
speculative. The prices of options are volatile and are
influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated
changes in the value of the underlying instrument, or in
interest or currency exchange rates, including the implied
volatility, which in turn are affected by fiscal and monetary
policies and by national and international political and
economic events.
When an Account purchases an option, it may lose the total
premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or
other assets decreased, remained the same or failed to
increase to a level at or beyond the exercise price (in the case
of a call option) or increased, remained the same or failed to
decrease to a level at or below the exercise price (in the case
of a put option). If a call or put option purchased by an
Account were permitted to expire without being sold or
exercised, its premium would represent a loss to an Account.
By writing put options, an Account takes on the risk of
declines in the value of the underlying instrument, including
the possibility of a loss up to the entire exercise price of each
option it sells but without the corresponding opportunity to
benefit from potential increases in the value of the underlying
instrument. When an Account writes a put option, it assumes
the risk that it must purchase the underlying instrument at an
exercise price that may be higher than the market price of
the instrument. If there is a broad market decline and an
Account is not able to close out its written put options, it may
result in substantial losses to an Account. By writing a call
option, an Account may be obligated to deliver instruments
underlying an option at less than the market price. In the case
of an uncovered call option, there is a risk of unlimited loss.
When an uncovered call is exercised, an Account must
purchase the underlying instrument to meet its call
obligations and the necessary instruments may be
unavailable for purchase. An Account will receive a premium
from writing options, but the premium received may not be
sufficient to offset any losses sustained from exercised
options. By writing call and put options on underlying
instruments, the returns of the options writing strategy will
be determined by the performance of the underlying
instrument. If the underlying instrument appreciates or
depreciates sufficiently over the period to offset the net
premium received by an Account, an Account may incur
Portfolio Labs Disclosure Brochure Page 9 of 17
losses. Increases in implied volatility of options may cause
the value of an option to increase, even if the value of the
underlying instrument does not change, which could result in
a reduction in an Account’s value. In unusual market
circumstances where implied volatility sharply increases or
decreases causing options spreads to be significantly
correlated to the underlying instrument, an Account’s option
writing strategy may not perform as anticipated. Prior to the
exercise or expiration of the option, an Account is exposed to
implied volatility risk, meaning the value, as based on implied
volatility, of an option may increase due to market and
economic conditions or views based on the sector or industry
in which issuers of the underlying instrument participate,
including issuer-specific factors.
CLIENT TAILORED SERVICES AND CLIENT-
IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS
Clients may request that Portfolio Labs customize an
Investment Solution via an Addendum the IMC. Portfolio Labs
may use security-specific analysis and/or model allocations
together with a specific set of recommendations for each
client based on his/her personal restrictions, needs, and
targets. Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain
securities or types of securities in accordance with their
values or beliefs. However, if the restrictions prevent
Portfolio Labs from properly servicing the client account, or if
the restrictions would require Portfolio Labs to deviate from
its standard suite of services, Portfolio Labs reserves the right
to reject the request or end the investment relationship.
WRAP FEE PROGRAMS
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the
investor pays one stated fee that includes management fees
and transaction costs. Portfolio Labs does not participate in
wrap fee programs.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
Portfolio Labs had the following assets under management
as of December 30, 2022:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary
Amounts:
$102,921,542 $0