Investment management companies in Missouri invest equities, income securities, real estate and derivative products. Managers of Missouri investment firms are the customers that represent the "buy side" of the investment business while investment bankers are on the "sell side."

Missouri investment management companies categorize themselves by the type of asset managed by the investment firms. Missouri companies may dedicate themselves to a specific client base while others serve all client types, including businesses that have assets to invest.

You must be able to identify the following three basic types of investments when you select investment companies in Missouri:

1. Hedge funds typically invest in public securities or their financial derivatives and come from members of private partnerships. Missouri investment management firms may use many strategies for making a profit.

2. Mutual funds typically come from individual investors that do not have a high net worth. Missouri investment firms combine the individual contributions and invest them as a single asset.

3. The basis for institutional funds is pensions, endowments and foundations for non-profit organizations. These types of Missouri investment management firms must adopt a more conservative investment strategy than for mutual funds.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate an investment agency in Missouri that seeks long-term results

Creating a highly diversified portfolio to minimize the risks is the goal for these investment firms. Missouri investment services should pick stocks with a high earnings potential and a value that is not reflected in their current prices.

I recommend: Complete the form at Retirement Job Center and a single agent licensed to sell retirement planning services in Missouri will contact you. Respond.com uses a disciplined management approach to provide superior results over a complete market cycle for its clients.

Select investment management companies in Missouri that cater to wealthy investors

Wealthy clients often need an investment plan customized to their unique needs. An investment management firm with experience working with affluent clients will work closely with their financial advisers to increase each client's worth over the long-term.

I recommend: Wealth management is one of the core businesses of Wachovia. You can locate its nearest financial center by entering your city and state or zip code on its website. Robert W. Baird & Company specializes in wealthy investors and has a branch locator on its website you can use to find the nearest financial adviser.

Select investment management firms in Missouri that support local businesses

Local investment management firms in Missouri are best able to select the businesses in your area in which to invest your funds. That local knowledge will put your money to good use, not only increasing your own worth, but helping other local business owners expand and prosper as well.

I recommend: Premier Capital Services in Smithville uses a fee-based approach to eliminate conflicts of interest with its clients. Blattel & Associates in St. Peters uses customized strategies that can evolve to meet long-term needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You should use the type of invested assets to predict the performance of long-term investments. For example, a Missouri investment management firm usually holds that the investment of equities produces a higher return than bonds, which in turn are more profitable than cash. Financial theory predicts this because equities have a higher risk than bonds, which are more volatile than cash.