Celebrating over

40 Years of Growth

A rules-based strategy
that has stood the test of time

Using our time-tested core philosophy developed over four decades, Running Oak Capital is focused on outperforming the S&P 500 over a full economic cycle with less downside risk. We apply a principled, rules-based approach that overcomes the limitations of human judgement and delivers strong risk-adjusted returns by focusing on quality growth companies that are undervalued by the market.

Ultimately, we endeavor to achieve outcomes that our clients can rely on across all market cycles.

An approach honed
over 40+ years

Running Oak is founded upon the proven Efficient Growth strategy, pioneered by our Portfolio Manager, Gary Cogswell:

*As of December 31, 2023.

A dynamic team
with accomplished track records

Veteran Leadership
backed by a prominent board

Running Oak is led by accomplished investment professionals who bring deep experience acquired in prominent roles across the asset management industry. Our management team is supported by a distinguished Advisory Board and top-tier outsourced services.

Management

Leading operational, sales and marketing support

  • Palmetto Advisory Group

    Due diligence and marketing firm, founded in 2008.

  • Whitestone Global

    Highly skilled professionals creating freedom to innovate and implement unique investment philosophies.

  • Orion Advisor Solutions

    Best-in-class software partner enabling Running Oak to provide exceptional service for a large number of clients

  • ACA Compliance Group

    GIPS compliance verification and investment performance services

  • Cerulean Securities Compliance, LLC

    Professional compliance consulting

  • Brightflow Technologies

    Managed IT and cyber security

Advisory Board

Driving success through valuable expertise and networks

Running Oak’s overall business and investment strategies are validated by an eminent Advisory Board, whose members provide thorough knowledge of markets, differentiated perspectives and access to far-reaching networks of key contacts.

  • Pete Vorbrich

    Brings 25+ years’ experience in private operational, investment and legal aspects

    • Former CFO of CarVal, a $10 billion+ private equity firm
  • Christopher Vogt

    Oversees $5 billion+ in equity investments and brings a strong institutional perspective

    • Director of Equity Strategies at the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
  • Ben Marks

    Provides crucial wealth-advisory perspectives as self-made architect of a $1 billion+ enterprise

    • Founder and CIO of Marks Group Wealth Management, a Minneapolis-based RIA

A disciplined, repeatable approach - applied through all markets

Driven by our proven Efficient Growth equity management style, Running Oak's strategy is designed with a specific outcome in mind: to outperform the S&P 500 over a full economic cycle and do so with meaningfully less risk.

Our disciplined rules-based approach does not rely on human discretion and objectively manages volatility and captures opportunities. Executed with consistency since the 1980s, our time-tested strategy offers investors a repeatable wealth-accumulation strategy and peace of mind through all markets.

Our beliefs are founded on three simple, dependable economic principles:

Higher returns. Lower risk. Less taxes. 

  • Efficient Growth Portfolio

    Common sense, self-evident equity strategy, built to outperform the S&P 500 Index over a full economic cycle with meaningfully less risk.

    Rules-based investment process, ensuring a disciplined, unemotional, repeatable, reliable result.

    Available in separately managed accounts, offering full transparency, daily liquidity, lower expenses and greater control over taxes.

    Currently Available on these platforms: Schwab, Fidelity, Envestnet, RBC, SmartX, Mutual Advisors, Interactive Brokers, Cetera, Osaic, and others

    Look for Efficient Growth on Riskalyze: Increase expected portfolio return and reduce overall risk.*

     

Efficient Growth:
Uncommon outperformance since inception

  • As of February 29, Efficient Growth had outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index and S&P 500 Equal Weight Index by 0.11% and 2.09%, respectively, annualized and gross of fees.*
  • Despite its universe trading at a twice-in-42-year discount and a historically poor environment for a disciplined, risk-focused strategy, Efficient Growth has still outperformed.* Few outperform when in favor. Efficient Growth outperformed when historically out of favor.*
  • Efficient Growth has provided 28% more return than the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, given the same level of downside risk, gross of fees (Ulcer Performance Index).*
1 Month3 Months1 Year5 Year10 YearSince Inception
Efficient Growth, Gross6.94%13.90%20.97%13.27%12.81%13.73%
Efficient Growth, Net6.90%13.76%20.37%12.71%12.25%13.17%
S&P 500 Equal Weight4.16%10.39%13.28%11.57%10.52%11.64%
S&P 500 Total Return5.34%11.98%30.45%14.76%12.70%13.57%
> DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET

* Since inception: as of February 29, 2024.
Net performance reflects a management fee of 0.5%. In the event this strategy is offered within a third party’s wrap program, the net performance shown here may be further reduced by an additional amount equal to the fees charged by the third party. For example, if the third-party charges 2% for their wrap program, net performance would be reduced by both the 0.50% fee to Running Oak Capital as well as the 2% charged by the third party (total of 2.50%). Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

A rules-based strategy
that has stood the test of time

Insights

To view Running Oak's quarterly newsletters and other insights, please click below.

  • 11/17/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter Oct 2023

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 07/20/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter July 2023

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 04/28/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter April 2023

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 03/13/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter Jan 2023

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 03/13/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter Dec 2022

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 03/13/2023

    ROC Efficient Growth Newsletter Oct 2022

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 01/14/2021

    ROC Efficient Growth Performance Update Nov 2020

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 01/14/2021

    ROC Efficient Growth Performance Update Sep 2020

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 10/01/2019

    ROC EG Portfolio Commentary

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 09/30/2019

    ROC RIA Sep 2019 Update

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 08/31/2019

    ROC RIA August 2019 Update

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 06/30/2019

    ROC RIA June 2019 Update

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 05/31/2019

    ROC RIA May 2019 Update

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 04/30/2019

    ROC RIA April 2019 Update

    > DOWNLOAD
  • 12/31/2018

    ROC RIA 2018 Year-End Update

    > DOWNLOAD

For more information on Running Oak, please contact us.

[email protected]

4519 West 56th St
Edina, MN
55424

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