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 funds, 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.
The DOTS Investment Solution attempts to achieve
a target rate of return, specified by the TPFA, over
the time horizon of the financial plan (10 years or
more) with the least amount of volatility.
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
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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 funds and
ETFs. DIS portfolios are available only as SMAs;
multiple Investment Strategies cannot be
combined in a UMA.
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.
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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 fund 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 funds
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.
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 discretionary, short-term use of such
borrowing by Portfolio Labs may have a number of
benefits by separating (i) the timing of the Clients’
need for a cash distribution from an Account or
expected contribution to an Account from (ii) the
sale or purchase of securities. Clients may also
establish a strategic (long-term) borrowing in an
attempt to increase long-term returns. Clients
permit Portfolio Labs to use borrowing on a
strategic (long-term) basis via an Addendum to the
IMC.
The use of borrowing related to an Account is not
suitable for all Clients. Securities-backed borrowing
involves a number of risks, including the risk of a
market downturn, tax implications if pledged
securities are liquidated, and the potential increase
in interest rates, and other risks. If the value of
pledged securities drops below certain levels, the
borrower can be required to pay down the loan
and/or pledge additional securities. Clients must
consider these risks and whether securities-backed
borrowing is appropriate. Clients should consider
these issues and discuss with their TPFA their
financial position and objectives and whether using
their investments as collateral for a loan is
appropriate.
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.
Options investing involves a number of risks,
including the risk of a market downturn, reduced
liquidity relative to equity securities and tax
implications. Clients must consider these risks and
whether options investing is appropriate. Clients
should consider these issues and discuss with their
TPFA their financial position and objectives and
whether using options is appropriate.
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 was established in November 2021
and had the following assets under management
as of December 31, 2023:
Discretionary
Amounts:
Non-discretionary
Amounts:
$276,199,398 $0
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