Investment Solutions

Many choices. One unique portfolio.

Building a diversified investment portfolio can be a complex process.

From stocks, bonds and mutual funds to alternative investments such as hedge funds, a broad spectrum of investment vehicles is available to your Raymond James advisor in helping you develop a long-term financial plan.

But building a portfolio is about more than just choices. It’s about making the right choices for you. Our advisors have the freedom to recommend only what they think makes the most sense for each client in building a diversified investment portfolio designed for your specific objectives. And those recommendations are powered by the expertise of our industry-leading research.

From a solid mix of traditional options to a more complex blend of managed or alternative investments, there are plenty of choices when it comes to building a custom portfolio. But there’s only one you.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss. Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements, including minimum net worth tests. You should consider the special risks with alternative investments including limited liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, potentially speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements. You should only invest in these strategies if you do not require a liquid investment and can bear the risk of substantial losses. There can be no assurance that any investment will meet its performance objectives or that substantial losses will be avoided.

Alternative Investments

Alternative investments can offer broader diversification

Finding asset classes capable of providing the broadest range of diversification can be challenging. Alternative investments such as managed futures, hedge funds, private equity or private real estate go beyond a mix of traditional investments such as stocks and bonds in creating a balanced portfolio.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss. Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements, including minimum net worth tests. You should consider the special risks with alternative investments including limited liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, potentially speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements. You should only invest in these strategies if you do not require a liquid investment and can bear the risk of substantial losses. There can be no assurance that any investment will meet its performance objectives or that substantial losses will be avoided.

Asset Management Services

Our experts do the legwork with managed accounts

The Asset Management Services (AMS) division provides actively managed portfolio options for individual and institutional investors in a fee-based platform, with choices across a spectrum of strategies and risk profiles. Researchers conduct due diligence on mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles as part of a four-step investment process. That process informs decisions with regard to manager selection, asset allocation and portfolio construction. For clients who prefer their advisors manage their portfolios, high-quality research is provided.

Asset allocation does not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss.

Mutual Funds, ETFs & Other Packaged Products

Funds allow investors to pool their resources

Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds allow investors to enter the market without the demands of deciding which individual securities to buy or sell. With multiple funds available in every asset class, our advisors can rely on high-quality research in selecting the right investment vehicles for each client.

Equities Trading & Related Investments

Equity trading rooted in deep research

Equity trading – or the buying and selling of company stock – presents thousands of options for investing in companies large and small, domestic and international. Our Equity Research department is a cornerstone of the firm. With experts worldwide, we provide our advisors with in-depth knowledge on more than 1,300 individual stocks globally across nine critical industry sectors. In addition to common stock, Raymond James advisors have access to investment vehicles such as convertible securities and options that can potentially broaden the scope of a portfolio. We also can assist with the sale of restricted securities.

Investing in small cap stocks generally involves greater risks. International investing involves additional risks such as currency fluctuations, differing financial accounting standards, and possible political and economic instability. These risks are greater in emerging markets. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors.

Fixed Income Services

Bonds provide balance for all types of investors

Bonds can play a critical role in a well-diversified portfolio, providing predictable income and, most importantly, principal protection. Though certain fixed-income investments carry greater risk than others, bonds generally minimize overall volatility in a portfolio as an offset to equities.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss. If bonds are sold prior to maturity, you may receive more or less than your initial investment. Holding bonds to term allows redemption at par value.

Options Trading

Options can serve as a versatile investment tool.

Another type of security, options are speculative in nature, giving investors the right or obligation to buy or sell a specified asset at a predetermined price on or before a set date. Options strategies, such as covered calls, protective puts and collars, can provide the flexibility to help meet different investor objectives.  These objectives include income generation, risk reduction, targeted stock selling and stock acquisition. To learn more about Options strategies and terminology, check out these informative videos.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. When appropriate, options should comprise a modest portion of an investor’s portfolio. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive from their financial advisor a copy of “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options,” also known as the options disclosure document (ODD). Supporting documentation will be supplied upon request. Please consult a tax advisor for the tax implications involved in the use of options.

Award-Winning Research

Every decision backed by deep industry research

Our advisors have access to industry-leading research, enabling them to offer informed counsel in helping you select the right investment vehicles. In addition to Equity Research, which consists of nearly 80 experts worldwide reporting on individual companies, we have research departments specific to mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and international markets. In Asset Management, a team of more than 20 institutional research professionals supports the active management of portfolios. Our distinctive, forward-looking approach to research examines not only past performance but future outlook.