Poplar Forest Capital LLC (Pasadena)


Poplar Forest Capital LLC is a large advisory firm based in Pasadena. It manages $1.68 billion of regulatory assets for 42 client accounts. It has been registered with the SEC as an adviser since 2007 and has operated in the jurisdictions of California, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas.

Poplar Forest Capital provides portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for investment companies, portfolio management for pooled investment vehicles, portfolio management for businesses and institutional clients, and provision of investment models for other advisers. It doesn't provide financial planning services to its clients. On top of advisory services, the firm doesn't engage in other business activities.

Poplar Forest Capital: assets under management

The assets under management (AUM) of Poplar Forest Capital LLC is $1.68 billion. The firm's AUM has grown by 2394% since the beginning of its operation, and the company doesn't manage any assets belonging to foreign clients.

The firm manages $1.36 billion in discretionary accounts and $317.6 million in non-discretionary accounts. On average, the discretionary accounts where all decisions are made on behalf of the client hold $52.37 million each. Non-discretionary accounts, where clients actively manage their portfolios, generally hold around $19.85 million.
Poplar Forest Capital has custody of $89.29 million in cash and securities for 8 clients in total but doesn’t act as a qualified custodian.

Investments

The firm invests in exchange traded securities the most. They account for 94% of the total AUM. The second-largest asset type is investment and business development companies, which make up 3% of the firm’s portfolio. Investments in pooled investment vehicles form 1% of the total invested assets.

Fees & Commissions

The advisory firm has a single stream of revenue. Clients pay Poplar Forest Capital LLC for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management. Compensation based on assets under management promotes a long-term relationship between a client and the adviser and helps align mutual interests. These fees don’t include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and other account expenses.

What kind of clients Christopher Evans Morphy serves?

The firm provides services to individuals, investment companies, other investment advisers, high net worth individuals, and pooled investment vehicles. The largest group of clients of Christopher Evans Morphy is other investment advisers with 6 clients and $638.75 million of assets under management. Among the 10 most similar advisory firms, Poplar Forest Capital has the highest percentage of other investment advisers out of all clients.

The amount of regulatory assets under management is $1.41 billion for 37 clients that can include trusts, estates, and 401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members. None of the firm’s clients are foreign persons or businesses.

Poplar Forest Capital also advises several private funds. Namely, one other private fund. The minimum investment commitment required of non-related persons is $2,500,000 for each fund.

Careers at Poplar Forest Capital LLC

The company employs 13 people that are either part- or full-time employees. 54 percent of the employees work as investment advisers or researchers. 2 employees are registered as investment adviser representatives with the state securities authorities.

There isn’t anyone with the role of looking for and bringing in new clients on behalf of the firm. The firm compensates employees in addition to the salary for bringing in new clients. Employees don’t receive compensation from other entities for client referrals.

Christopher Evans Morphy has been acting as President since 1 Dec 2007. Derek Scott Derman joined the executive team most recently as the Research Analyst & Co Portfolio Manager.

Direct owners and executive officers


Name Entity Date acquired Ownership Employer ID
James Dale Harvey Managing member, chairman, & ceo 1 Sep 2007 75% - 100% 1514610
Christopher Evans Morphy President 1 Dec 2007 Other 1260972
Peter James Mcaniff Chief compliance officer 1 Dec 2007 Other 2607678
Catherine Marie Lloyd Director of research 1 Jan 2009 Other 1868700
Lowry Mays Shareholder 1 Dec 2009 Other 4521292
Anne Ryan Newman Chief compliance officer 1 Jan 2012 Other 2209208
Derek Scott Derman Research analyst & co-portfolio manager 1 Jul 2017 Other 4071861

Based in Pasadena

The principal office where Poplar Forest Capital LLC performs its advisory services is located at 70 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 4703, which is also the mailing address of the firm. It doesn’t run an office outside of the United States.

You can reach the main office by calling the phone number 626-304-6000 or by fax 626-304-0827. The normal business hours are 6:30 am - 4:00 pm on Monday - Friday. You can find more information about the New York firm at poplarforestllc.com.