Don Merrell Profile Picture Individual Investor

Don Merrell

Consultant,Real Estate

  • Education Arizona State University

Small to Mid-Cap Value

This is a value investing model with a small- to mid-cap bias and long term holding periods. The manager primarily holds long positions, but may occasionally sell short.
The manager uses fundamental analysis, including discounted cash-flow assessment, to invest in equities he determines to be undervalued by the market. The model primarily holds U.S. equities, though some U.S.-listed foreign companies may also be held.
Via primary research, secondary sources, and proprietary software, the manager creates a relative ranking of equities based on several factors including P/E ratio, return on tangible net assets, return on enterprise value, discounted returns (cash flow, earnings, dividends), price to book, PEG and dividend yield. Upon selecting stocks from this ranked list, the manager will also take into account competitive and industry trends.
The primary focus is on identifying undervalued equities, with very little attention to industry diversification. The manager typically holds 20-25 positions. His average holding period is 8-9 months, though some positions may be sold far sooner or held longer.
The manager closes a position when the investment reaches a pre-determined exit price or when changing fundamentals or other screening criteria become unfavorable to the investment strategy. The manager does not use stop losses.
When standard valuation metrics are overridden by information entering the market that moves stocks with unusual directional force, the manager may adjust the portfolio accordingly.

Risk rating

4
19.0%

Best 30 days

-20.7%

Worst 30 days

Performance

  • -6.1%
    30 day
  • -2.7%
    365 days
  • 1.2%
    Since Inception
    February 01, 2011
Monthly vs S&P500
Sparkbar Graph, Small to Mid-Cap Value Investment Model Performance versus S&P500
0.0%

Last 12 months

  • $5,000 subscription min
  • margin account required
  • 1.5% fee

Replicability

100.0%
  • Replicable

Top 5 Holdings View all

9.2%
7.3%
6.7%
6.0%
6.0%
  • ROST
  • DDIC
  • CBT
  • HRS
  • KRO

Model commentary

  1. The quick thesis for my four new positions

    19 January 2012

    Here's why I consider these stocks attractive from a fundamental perspective.

  2. Don Merrell seeks value in Small to Mid-Cap s… 9 May 2011

show more


Performance detail

  • Manager
  • Russell 2000
  • S&P 500

Performance

Inception February 01, 2011
as of May 21, 2012 Manager Russell 2000 S&P 500 Average Subscriber
Past 30 days -6.1% -4.9% -4.5% -6.2%
Past 90 days -10.5% -7.1% -3.4% -10.6%
Past 365 days -2.7% -7.8% -1.3% -
Since Inception (Annualized) 0.9% -3.3% 0.5% -
2012 (YTD) 1.6% 3.2% 4.6% -

Risk Metrics

Last 365 Days
as of May 21, 2012 Manager Russell 2000 S&P 500
Best 30 days 19.0% 20.3% 13.6%
Worst 30 days -20.7% -23.6% -16.7%
Volatility 28.4% 33.1% 23.2%
Sharpe Ratio -0.10 -0.24 -0.06
Sortino Ratio -0.16 -0.35 -0.08
Maximum Drawdown -24.1% -29.0% -18.8%
Value-at-risk (95%, 1 week) -6.6% -7.7% -5.4%
vs. Russell 2000 vs. S&P 500
Information Ratio 0.53 -0.15
Alpha 3.4% -0.4%
Beta 0.83 1.16
R-Squared 0.93 0.90

Latest transactions view all

Average trades per month 4.6
Executed Symbol Security Replicable Type Price
03/27/12 KRO KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC Yes Buy $24.77
03/26/12 KRO KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC Yes Buy $24.29
03/26/12 DVN Devon Energy Corp Yes Sell $72.39
02/22/12 RES RPC INC Yes Buy $16.60
02/22/12 LRCX LAM RESEARCH CORP Yes Sell $40.55
01/17/12 GLW Corning Inc Yes Buy $14.28
01/17/12 POL POLYONE CORPORATION Yes Buy $13.49
01/17/12 EZPW Ezcorp Inc Yes Buy $27.32
  • $5,000 subscription min
  • margin account required
  • 1.5% fee

Important Information

Important Information

1. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

2. Performance of the model manager's account is calculated by Covestor on a daily time-weighted basis, including cash, dividends and earnings distributions, and broker commissions. Manager returns include trades that fail Covestor's trading rules, do not reflect any Covestor suitability or risk score restrictions and are exclusive of Covestor fees. More

3. Average subscription returns ("Avg Sub" or "Avg Client") are calculated by Covestor and are composed of the average, daily, time weighted returns of all active subscriptions to the underlying model. These daily average returns are then linked together for the timeframe requested. In addition, these returns include cash, dividends and earnings distributions, brokerage commissions, Covestor advisory fees, and reflect individual client suitability and risk score restrictions. More

4. All graph data is as of the end of day for the referenced period, unless otherwise specified. The subscription minimum is the minimum subscription required to follow a particular model. The minimum amount is determined by Covestor, based on the characteristics of the underlying model. It should not be considered as specific investment advice for your investment situation.

5. Benchmark returns have been calculated by Covestor using a time-weighted calculation of daily index valuations and do not include cash, dividends and earnings distributions, or transaction costs. More

6. Leverage indicates the level of margin utilized and is calculated by dividing gross exposure by portfolio net liquidation value.

7. All Model Manager information including personal data, profiles, strategies, monthly investment reports, and historical results outside of Covestor has been provided by the Model Manager. Covestor makes no representation or warranty of its accuracy, completeness or relevance and it does not represent the opinions of Covestor. Transaction history is available upon request. Model classifications (Approach, Asset Class) are provided by Covestor, and are intended to serve as a general guide.

8. Top Replicable Holdings: These securities are currently held in the model manager's brokerage account. Those marked as "Replicable Holdings" currently pass Covestor's trading rules, subject to individual client constraints. Eligibility for replication may change over time. Actual client subscription holdings may vary.

9. Latest Transactions: These transactions were executed in the model manager's brokerage account. Those marked as "Replicable" () passed Covestor's trading rules and were eligible for replication at the time of execution, subject to individual client constraints. Eligibility for replication may change over time. Actual client subscription trade activity may vary.

10. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index compiled by Standard & Poor´s Corp. Index returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. Individuals cannot invest directly in an Index. S&P 500 index data: S&P 500 Copyright © 2012.

11. Dow Jones index data: CME Group Index Services, LLC 2012