The story that follows is one of the more technical pieces that we have shared on our blog, but it is a fun introduction to Cliff Asness for those who aren’t yet familiar with his name. As referenced in another recent post, Cliff was a student of Gene Fama and since founded AQR Capital Management. Though his approach may seem lighthearted, his intent is seriously aimed at helping investors sort through the noise.  For example, the word “Bubble” is not only overused, but—for efficient-market fans like us—“It should never be uttered outside the tub.” Click here to read Cliff’s Top 10 Peeves.

Stay tuned for more in the future from AQR!

Hill Investment Group clients have come to know, like and expect simple images that creatively tell a story. The 2013 Holiday card is no exception.

Working with our long-time friend and designer, Cheree Berry of Cheree Berry Paper, we wanted to deliver a combination of iconic holiday images (along with our familiar coffee cup!) that would also provide a subtle nod to “the benefits of having a Diversified Portfolio.” The card is a seasonal play on a beloved Hill Investment Group T-shirt created by Life is Good. Their mission is to “spread optimism” —another thing that we at Hill Investment Group believe in strongly.

In mid-November, a few members of our team attended the largest conference of independent investment advisors and wealth managers in the country—Charles Schwab’s 2013 IMPACT conference in Washington, DC. Attending conferences like Impact is just one of the ways we stay sharp. As you know, DC is a beautiful city and an idyllic backdrop for speakers like Michael Lewis, Daniel Pink, Steve Kroft, and others who inspired us along the way. We also returned with our own renewed perspectives on our country, our peers, and our practice.