“Industry Perspectives” 2Q 2021

“Industry Perspectives” 2Q 2021

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Read our view on the economy and key drivers of change in the global equity markets.

Date Published:
July 2021

Pages:
3

OVERVIEW:
There are definitely parallels between the recent deep COVID-19 led recession and the 2008-2009 version. In both cases, central banks and governments pumped money into their economies through various stimulus measures. And in both cases, as the economies recovered, there were concerns about the Fed turning off the tap and the risk of rising inflation.

In this latest Industry Perspectives, we discuss:

  • The Federal Reserve taper tantrums are typically minor and short-term in nature.
  • At present we would view a meaningful correction in the stock market as a buying opportunity.
  • Some worry exists if treasury yields were to rise much higher than our current thoughts.

Fundamental Approach

We get to know the companies we invest in and learn how they run their business.

Top-Down & Bottom-Up

We identify Top-Down broad, secular growth trends and search for companies from the Bottom-Up.

Proprietary Philosophy

We construct our portfolios based on our own proprietary investment strategy.

Disciplined Investing

Sticking to our disciplined investment strategy ensures we maintain a consistent, balanced approach.

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Terms of Use – Email lists are created for use by U.S. investment professionals only and are published strictly for informational purposes. Providing access to the content of these emails does not explicitly or implicitly constitute a solicitation of services or products of the Buffalo Funds, Kornitzer Capital Management, or any of their affiliates. The information contained in the emails is not intended for distribution to, or for use by, investment professionals in a jurisdiction where distribution or purchase is not authorized. The information contained in these emails is not appropriate for use by individual investors. By registering for any of these emails, you agree to Buffalo's terms and conditions and that you are qualified as an institutional investor or otherwise member of a registered broker/dealer, registered investment advisor, or investment consulting firm.

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How to Discuss Cryptocurrency with Clients

Home > Advisor Blog > How to Discuss Cryptocurrency with Clients

How to Discuss Cryptocurrency with Clients

Cryptocurrency remains an emerging phenomenon, and the time has not yet come to endorse or condemn it. With clients seeking investment advice on cryptocurrencies, financial advisors are telling their clients it is highly speculative and to approach with caution. Prior to investing in a cryptocurrency, advisors are having clients consider expanding their investments in top performing mutual funds and ETFs. Clients with a high risk tolerance are more likely to buy a cryptocurrency or crypto ETFs and they should have a clear understanding of what a cryptocurrency is and how the crypto market works.

What is Cryptocurrency?

We believe cryptocurrency is similar to many traded commodities like soybeans, corn, coffee, and sugar. They all have fluctuating values that are impacted by usage, demand, and availability. Cryptocurrency vendors control their own supply, but cannot prevent new vendors from entering the market. There is actually no limit to how much cryptocurrency may be mined. Anybody can enter this industry. According to CoinMarketCap, a crypto tracker, in 2019 there were over 2,100 cryptocurrencies created and today there are at least 5,520 cryptocurrencies available. This is what makes calculating cryptocurrency prices based on usage quite challenging.

There are a number of factors that contribute to cryptocurrency’s fluctuation. Crypto has no backing in the form of a nation, major bank, or precious resource, and there is no guarantee of its base value. Bitcoin, dogecoin, Unobtanium — all these cryptocurrencies are only worth what the market says they’re worth. In 2020 and 2021, expectations that national fiat currencies would undergo devaluation in the wake of COVID-19 (among other factors) led to a surge in the value of crypto as its projected worth increased, only for the latest Chinese vigilance to have the exact opposite effect as expectations clashed with the reality of government intervention.

And such intervention is not likely to stop anytime soon. Governments simply have a lot to lose and not much to gain by allowing the cryptocurrency revolution to supplant their own fiat money, so crypto must rise despite the intervention of some of the world’s most powerful fiscal and temporal institutions. Demand for digital currencies may well erode further if the United States Federal Reserve begins raising interest rates in the near future, and when countries like China and Russia seek to create their own digital currencies with national backing.

Cryptocurrency is a new commodity, and that very novelty contributes to its volatility. Cryptocurrencies don’t have a long track record over which experts can collate massive amounts of data about its inherent trends, risks, and rewards. Investors thus lack the knowledge to make truly informed choices.

Volatility and Speculation

Cryptocurrencies do not accrue interest over time and are now subject to capital gains taxes. This suggests that digital currencies should be considered a speculative trading tool more than anything else. It could potentially offer rich payouts if an investor can manage to buy low and sell high, but carrying the attendant risk of any volatile asset without the guaranteed upside of interest.

Most retail investors understand that investing always carries some degree of risk. For investors that relish the Wild West atmosphere around bitcoin and other digital currencies, advisors have the task of telling their clients that cryptocurrency’s volatility makes it a very speculative asset class and to treat crypto as an alternative investment. As a rule-of-thumb, institutional investors invest less than 1% of their overall assets in alternative investments. Individual investors buying crypto may want to consider their risk tolerance.

The Last Word is Pending

Some things appear to have a value just because they are popular, but as their popularity falters, so does their value. Some people have become overnight millionaires buying cryptocurrencies, and this has driven the demand for investors to get in on the action. The big question remains, “Can cryptocurrency continue to grow in value and is it a good or bad investment?” It remains to be seen if those overnight millionaires will be able to hold on to their wealth. At this time, many factors point to crypto being a highly speculative investment where many investors could find themselves at the short end of the stick.


Christopher Crawford is the Director of Sales & Distribution for the Buffalo Funds. He has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, previously holding positions at Invesco, IMA Financial Group, and Arthur J. Gallagher. At the Buffalo Funds, Christopher works with investment consultant relations, key account management, institutional distribution and client service. His main goal is to partner with advisors to bring business building ideas and provide unparalleled customer support to their business, always striving to make it easy and reliable to work with the entire Buffalo Funds investment team. Christopher received an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.S.F.A. from Southern Methodist University. He also holds licenses for the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65.


Cryptocurrencies could be vulnerable to fraud or cybersecurity risk. Investing in cryptocurrencies is highly speculative and an investor can lose their investment.

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Christopher Crawford
Director, Advisor Relationships

Kiplinger: Top-Performing Mutual Funds

Media Coverage

Kiplinger: Top-Performing Mutual Funds

Overview

Kiplinger recognized the Buffalo Small Cap and Early Stage Growth Funds as “Top-Performing Mutual Funds” in their recent fund analysis for the period ending May 31, 2021.

The Buffalo Small Cap Fund (BUFSX) ranked #4 in the Small-Company Stock Funds category for the 20-year annualized return, #9 for 3-year annualized returns, and #10 for 5-year annualized returns, based on Morningstar’s universe of 25,000+ funds. (BUFSX was not ranked in the top 10 for the 1- or 10-year time periods)

The Buffalo Early Stage Growth Fund (BUFOX) ranked #7 in the Small-Company Stock Funds category for the 10-year annualized return. (BUFOX was not ranked in the top 10 for the 1-, 3-, 5-, or 20-year time periods)

Management Teams:

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the funds may be lower of higher than the performance quoted. Quarter-end performance can be obtained here and month-end performance can be obtained here.

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Terms of Use – Email lists are created for use by U.S. investment professionals only and are published strictly for informational purposes. Providing access to the content of these emails does not explicitly or implicitly constitute a solicitation of services or products of the Buffalo Funds, Kornitzer Capital Management, or any of their affiliates. The information contained in the emails is not intended for distribution to, or for use by, investment professionals in a jurisdiction where distribution or purchase is not authorized. The information contained in these emails is not appropriate for use by individual investors. By registering for any of these emails, you agree to Buffalo's terms and conditions and that you are qualified as an institutional investor or otherwise member of a registered broker/dealer, registered investment advisor, or investment consulting firm.

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Preparing for a Post-Pandemic World: 3 Key Tips for Financial Advisors

Home > Advisor Blog > 3 Ways Financial Advisors Can Prepare For A Post-Pandemic World

Preparing for a Post-Pandemic World: 3 Key Tips for Financial Advisors

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses and consumers alike to grow accustomed to meeting online. After so much of this distanced interaction, the pandemic appears to be coming under control. As vaccination rates spread, the CDC has relaxed safety protocols such that in-person business meetings are once more becoming possible, especially between vaccinated individuals.

This is excellent news for financial advisors, as building a personal rapport with clients is vital to a successful practice, and that sort of relationship is much easier to establish in person than online. But even as face-to-face meetings become acceptable once more, it is vital both for public health and the comfort and confidence of one’s clients to provide clear communication about safety precautions.

Get The Word Out

Financial advisors who plan to resume in-person meetings should let existing and potential clients know this option is returning. It is important at this time to check and update all email lists and send out communications detailing any changes in plans or protocols. Financial advisors who have embraced social media are in especially good standing here. These spaces for engagement provide a wonderful opportunity to get the word out to established clients while also catching the attention of individuals looking to begin face-to-face meetings with a new advisor. In the course of making these announcements, financial advisors should always stress the safety measures they mean to implement, as well as their commitment to communicating with and listening to their clients.

Precautions Are Key

Returning to in-person meetings does not mean returning to the way things were before COVID-19. The coronavirus is still at large within the population and even with vaccinations and careful safety measures, there is still a chance of contracting this dangerous illness at a face-to-face meeting. Thus, even with the current CDC guidelines, clients returning to meet in person should be provided with new and more rigorous safety practices for the foreseeable future.

As accustomed as business professionals are to beginning any meeting with a handshake, do not insist on this and make clear to clients that such contact is optional. Regardless of whether clients are comfortable shaking hands, hand sanitizer should be available. Other sorts of PPE such as gloves and disposable face-masks should be on-hand, and holding meetings wearing masks and remaining at a distance of six feet apart should be possible if that is what the client requires. Meetings can also be held outside if such spaces are acceptable, and one can minimize paper sharing by encouraging clients to bring their own tablets, phones, and laptops to review any documents.

Transparency and Flexibility

Proper communication with clients about safety measures may well be even more important than the measures themselves. Face-to-face meetings are meant to build trust and rapport, and there is no better way to demonstrate trustworthiness and protect a relationship than to explain clearly before the client even arrives what precautions and options are available to ensure everyone feels safe attending the meeting.

Financial advisors must consider and convey their own needs as well. It is better to hold meetings in masks and socially distanced than it is to be tense and uncomfortable in one’s own place of business. In this same vein, if a client would prefer to keep meetings online for the time being, they should know this choice is perfectly acceptable. Coming out of such a tense and dangerous period, safety and comfort should be everyone’s first concern.

The pandemic is by no means over and we must take care not to pressure ourselves or our clients. Business practices will return to normal — or find a new normal — in due time, and all we can do is adjust day by day. Just as we come out of the pandemic cautiously and intelligently, we should use our best judgment to create a safe and encouraging environment for our clients to return to a world of handshakes and in-person financial advice.


Christopher Crawford is the Director of Advisor Relationships for the Buffalo Funds. He has 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, previously holding positions at Invesco, IMA Financial Group, and Arthur J. Gallagher. At the Buffalo Funds, Christopher works with investment consultant relations, key account management, institutional distribution and client service. His main goal is to partner with advisors to bring business building ideas and provide unparalleled customer support to their business, always striving to make it easy and reliable to work with the entire Buffalo Funds investment team. Christopher received an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.S.F.A. from Southern Methodist University. He also holds licenses for the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65.


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Christopher Crawford
Director, Advisor Relationships

7 Buffalo Funds Named to IBD Best Mutual Funds 2021 List

7 Buffalo Funds Named to IBD Best Mutual Funds 2021 List

Media Coverage

7 Buffalo Funds Named to IBD Best Mutual Funds 2021 List

Overview

The Buffalo Funds recently had seven funds selected for the Investor’s Business Daily 2021 Best Mutual Funds Award Winner list, in the 6th annual ranking by the investment publication.

Best U.S. Diversified

  • Buffalo Early Stage Growth Fund
  • Buffalo Small Cap Fund
  • Buffalo Discovery Fund
  • Buffalo Large Cap Fund
  • Buffalo Growth Fund

Best Large Cap

  • Buffalo Large Cap Fund
  • Buffalo Growth Fund

Best Mid Cap

  • Buffalo Discovery Fund

Best Small Cap

  • Buffalo Early Stage Growth Fund
  • Buffalo Small Cap Fund

Best International

  • Buffalo International Fund

Best U.S. Taxable Bond

  • Buffalo High Yield Fund

Funds named to IBD’s list were chosen because they have outperformed their benchmark index over the past 1, 3, 5, and 10-year periods, as of 12/31/20. In order to make the list, funds must have outperformed in all four time periods. IBD made its selections from 3,368 mutual funds that met the criteria of having at least 10 years of operation.

We’re honored that our funds have been recognized in this way by IBD. These funds exemplify our firm’s goal of consistently delivering strong risk-adjusted performance to our shareholders, said Kent Gasaway, president of the Buffalo Funds.

To view IBD’s complete list and analysis of the Best Mutual Funds 2021, please visit: https://www.investors.com/etfs-and-funds/mutual-funds/best-mutual-funds-beating-sp-500-over-last-1-3-5-10-years/

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original value. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained here. Performance data current to the most recent quarter-end may be obtained here. Performance is annualized for periods greater than 1 year.

Opinions expressed are those of the author or Funds and are subject to change, are not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice.

References to other mutual funds should not to be considered an offer to buy or sell these securities.

HIGHLIGHT

Seven Buffalo Funds were named to Investor’s Business Daily Best Mutual Funds 2021 list, including the Best U.S. Diversified, Growth, Large Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap, International, and U.S. Taxable Bond Fund categories.

MEDIA CONTACT

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Terms of Use – Email lists are created for use by U.S. investment professionals only and are published strictly for informational purposes. Providing access to the content of these emails does not explicitly or implicitly constitute a solicitation of services or products of the Buffalo Funds, Kornitzer Capital Management, or any of their affiliates. The information contained in the emails is not intended for distribution to, or for use by, investment professionals in a jurisdiction where distribution or purchase is not authorized. The information contained in these emails is not appropriate for use by individual investors. By registering for any of these emails, you agree to Buffalo's terms and conditions and that you are qualified as an institutional investor or otherwise member of a registered broker/dealer, registered investment advisor, or investment consulting firm.

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