Investment management in SC invests in equities, income securities, real estate and derivative products. A South Carolina investment firm is the customer that represent the "buy side" of the investment business while investment bankers are on the "sell side."

South Carolina investment services are categorized by the type of asset managed by the investment firms. South Carolina 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 management in South Carolina:

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

2. Mutual funds typically come from individual investors that do not have a high net worth. South Carolina investment management company 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. This type of South Carolina investment firm 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 investment management firms in South Carolina that seek long-term results

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

I recommend: Use Prudential for a variety investment management services, including retirement planning. You can find an agent in your area by entering your zip code or city and state at Prudential’s website. Workman Securities deals in a range of investment services, including retirement planning, and allows you to locate representatives by state on its website.

Select investment management in SC that caters to wealthy investors

Wealthy clients often need an investment plan customized to their unique needs. South Carolina investment managers 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: Smith Barney provides a range of financial services, including wealth management. You will begin the financial consultation questionnaire on its website by entering your zip code or city and state along with the search radius. 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.

Select South Carolina investment services to support local businesses

Local money managers 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: CCM Investment Advisers in Columbia takes a disciplined approach towards building a complete portfolio with asset classes and individual securities. The National Bank of South Carolina has locations throughout the state and uses independent third-party research to design investment strategies for its clients.

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 South Carolina 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.