Diversification refers to a risk management strategy of spreading investments across various assets and securities to reduce the impact of any one particular poor-performing investment on an overall portfolio. An example of market diversification is an equity index, such as the S&P 500, that aggregates the performance of a basket of 500 different stocks. However, after a certain point, the marginal benefits of diversification diminish due to a concept known as "unsystematic risk", otherwise known as "Diversifiable Risk." Some studies suggest that a portfolio's diversifiable risk has been effectively reduced after approximately 20 to 30 stocks, providing minimal further risk reduction benefits for each additional stock added to a portfolio. The graph below demonstrates the change in portfolio as number of stocks is increased.
Total Portfolio RiskMarket Risk
Conceptual illustration only (hypothetical data), based on Burton Malkiel’s “A Random Walk Down Wall Street.” Axis: portfolio standard deviation vs. number of holdings.
Key Statistics
Key Statistics
LCE-N1
LCE-N3
SPYM
YTD Return
-3.81%
-4.30%
-4.35%
Return
14.91%
12.62%
13.73%
0.64%
0.64%
1.16%
Net
0.00%
0.00%
0.02%
0.57
0.46
0.57
0.41
-1.90
0.00
1.06
1.07
1.00
-26.25%
-27.35%
-23.90%
16 mos
17 mos
15 mos
16.29%
16.41%
14.19%
0.82
0.67
0.86
107.24%
102.02%
100.00%
106.17%
110.70%
100.00%
Risk vs. Reward Scatterplot
Since-inception (risk) against compound annual return. Dashed crosshair marks the .
Portfolio Construction Process
Step 1Universe Selection: Equities
Step 2Filter Stocks by Fundamental Financial Metrics
Step 3Additional Fundamental & Qualitative Analysis
Step 4Final Selection of Approximately 20 to 30 Stocks
Cumulative Return
LCE-N1LCE-N3SPYM ()
$100,000 initial investment, from the monthly return series. Hover any point for the value.
Periodic Returns
LCE-N1LCE-N3SPYM ()
Periodic returns as of 3/31/2026. Periods under one year are not .
QTD
YTD
1 Yr
5 Yr
10 Yr
Inception
LCE-N1
-3.81%
-3.81%
24.56%
9.98%
14.30%
14.91%
LCE-N3
-4.30%
-4.30%
22.08%
7.79%
12.03%
12.62%
SPYM
-4.35%
-4.35%
17.73%
12.00%
14.16%
13.73%
Trailing 10 Yr Annualized Returns
Year
LCE-N1
LCE-N3
SPYM
2017
24.29%
21.82%
21.30%
2018
-9.67%
-11.47%
-4.77%
2019
34.11%
31.45%
31.99%
2020
37.68%
34.94%
18.52%
2021
42.81%
39.97%
28.78%
2022
-20.88%
-22.46%
-18.10%
2023
24.19%
21.72%
26.24%
2024
11.19%
8.98%
25.00%
2025
21.74%
19.32%
17.80%
YTD 2026
-3.81%
-4.30%
-4.35%
LCE-N1LCE-N3SPYM ()
Annual returns by calendar year.
Top 10 Underlying Holdings
Company
Ticker
Weight
Seagate Technology Holdings Plc
STX
8.83%
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
MPWR
5.53%
Costco Wholesale Corp.
COST
5.29%
HCA Healthcare, Inc.
HCA
5.07%
F5, Inc.
FFIV
4.77%
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.
JKHY
4.74%
NVIDIA Corp.
NVDA
4.72%
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
ISRG
4.60%
ConocoPhillips
COP
4.56%
EMCOR Group, Inc.
EME
4.45%
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. www.asmarterwaytoinvest.com · support@asmarterwaytoinvest.com · (810) 588-6178
The performance data presented herein has been independently verified by Alpha Performance Verification Services, a third-party verification firm, from the data inception date through the fact sheet as of date. Additional details, inlcuding the Independent Verifier's Report, are available upon request.
*Net performance values and statistics reflect the deduction of model fees of 1% that represents a hypothetical ASWTI asset management fee that would be charged to an investor and may not reflect actual deducted fees.
**Net performance values and statistics reflect the deduction of model fees of 3% that represent the highest possible wrap advisory fee that would be charged to an investor and may not reflect actual deducted fees.
***The graph depicting the diminishing benefits of diversification is based on purely hypothetical data, not actual research results, and is intended to demonstrate the concept for informational purposes only and to generate interest in the subject matter. The concept demonstrated by this purely hypothetical chart is based on the research and data from 'A Random Walk Down Wall Street' by Burton Malkiel.
For additional details, definitions, and explanations of certain performance and risk metrics presented in this fact sheet, please contact your Advisor or visit www.ASmarterWaytoInvest.com.
Returns presented for periods less than one year are not annualized.
State Street® SPDR® Portfolio S&P 500® ETF (SPYM) seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index. Under normal market conditions, the fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index is designed to measure the performance of the large-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
Performance and Risk Metrics are based on hypothetical model monthly return data and reflect the reinvestment of all dividends and other income. Performance is presented using the U.S. Dollar currency. Results exclude any impact of cash flows such as contributions or withdrawals, as well cash balances or reserves except those specifically held by the model portfolio. Returns are presented net of a hypothetical 1% asset management fee as well as a hypothetical 3% maximum wrap advisory fee that is inclusive of a A Smarter Way to Invest's asset management fees. Potential custodial, trading and administrative expenses are not included, and these hypothetical fees may not reflect actual deducted fees applicable to a client's account. Investment returns will be reduced by advisory fees and other expenses charged in the management of a client's account. Clients should carefully review applicable fees and understand how advisory fees, compounded over a number of years, reduce the value of an investment portfolio, as investment balances and potential gains on the investment balances are reduced by fees. Additional information is provided in the SEC Investors Bulletin "How Fees and Expenses Affect Your Investment Portfolio."
Performance results are considered hypothetical as the results were not actually achieved by any specific investor or client portfolio and do not reflect trading in actual accounts. Hypothetical performance is not an indicator of future or actual results and is not a guarantee or implied guarantee of future performance, returns, profit, or growth. Actual performance may differ significantly from hypothetical performance as a result of client specific circumstances, including but not limited to: deposits and withdrawals, legacy positions and excluded holdings, account size, or cash reserves. General assumptions of hypothetical returns include: dividends and other income are reinvested; trades are executed based on end-of-day security pricing; A Smarter Way to Invest would have been able to purchase the securities recommended by the models and the markets were sufficiently liquid to permit all trading. Changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on the returns presented herein. Certain assumptions have been made for modeling purposes and are likely to differ from actual circumstances. No representations or warranties are made as to the reasonableness of the assumptions.
Monthly performance shown in this fact sheet includes back-tested returns from the period of 9/30/2009 through 10/17/2025. Live model returns began on 10/18/2025 and thereafter, and are calculated using model trades that occurred in actual accounts. Back-tested and hypothetical performance is not an indicator of future actual results and is not a guarantee or implied guarantee of future performance, returns, profit, or growth. No representation is being made that any account or strategy will or is likely to achieve a performance record similar to the returns presented herein. Actual performance may differ significantly from hypothetical and back-tested performance. The risk of back-tested performance is that the strategy was retroactively applied to historical data with the benefit of hindsight and can be adjusted in order to obtain and show more favorable performance results during the relevant historical time periods. Back-tested results inherently include biases in the results, including but not limited to: hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and look-ahead bias. There is no assurance that the back-tested methodology and assumptions applied by A Smarter Way to Invest have adequately mitigated these biases, and there is no assurance that back-tested results could, or would, have simulated actual client performance during the relevant time periods.
Advisory services offered through A Smarter Way to Invest, Inc., 1024 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or expertise. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only and is intended for both educational purposes and to promote interest in the subject matter. It does not address any individual’s specific situation and is not to serve as the basis for any investment decision. Numerical examples, if any, are only illustrative. Investors should thoroughly evaluate financial objectives, goals, and parameters such as risk tolerance with their Advisor before investing. Investment account values will be subject to fluctuation in capital markets. Fiduciary does not guarantee or imply any level of investment performance, superior to the appropriate benchmark, or otherwise. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing with A Smarter Way to Invest. This and other information can be found in A Smarter Way to Invest’s Form ADV Part 2A, which can be obtained from your financial advisor, by calling (810) 588-6178 or by visiting www.ASmarterWaytoInvest.com. There are risks involved with investing, including possible loss of principal.
* Net performance values and statistics reflect the deduction of model fees of 1% that represents a hypothetical ASWTI asset management fee that would be charged to an investor and may not reflect actual deducted fees.
** Net performance values and statistics reflect the deduction of model fees of 3% that represent the highest possible wrap advisory fee that would be charged to an investor and may not reflect actual deducted fees.
*** The graph depicting the diminishing benefits of diversification is based on purely hypothetical data, not actual research results, and is intended to demonstrate the concept for informational purposes only. The concept is based on the research and data from "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton Malkiel.