Overview
A. DESCRIPTION OF OUR ADVISORY FIRM, INCLUDING HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN IN
BUSINESS AND OUR PRINCIPAL OWNER(S)
Claret is a Canadian based portfolio management firm, managing private portfolios mainly for
clients in North America. Our firm was founded in 1996. Our principal office is located at 900
de Maisonneuve O., Suite 1900 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Claret manages investment on
behalf of individuals. Assets under management are approximately $1.8 billion U.S. dollars as
of December 31, 2023.
Through their respective holding companies, William K. Kovalchuk, President, owns 25% of the
voting shares, Alain D. Chung, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, owns 55% of the voting
shares and Jean-Paul Giacometti, Vice President, owns 20% of the voting shares.
B. DESCRIPTION OF THE TYPES OF ADVISORY SERVICES WE OFFER
Claret is a single purpose organization which provides investment management services only.
We create portfolios consisting of bonds/fixed income securities as well as North American and
international equities/stocks. The objective is to add value through security selection. Portfolio
volatility or risk is managed by diversification. We do trade in options and derivatives if it is in
the clients’ best interest. Our style primarily emphasizes buying securities that are trading at
low valuations that have sound businesses and strong balance sheets. Further information is
available upon request.
C. EXPLANATION OF HOW WE TAILOR OUR SERVICES TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF
CLIENTS
We spend time to get to know you, our client, to review and discuss your current financial
situation. Areas of review will focus on, but are not be limited to, your: (i) goals and objectives;
(ii) asset and liabilities; (iii) liquidity needs; (iv) risk tolerance; (v) tax status; (vi) legal constraints
(such as being a corporate insider, officer or director) and (vii) other variables relevant to
understanding your unique investment circumstances including any unique preferences. This
approach is based on the CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst Institute) guidelines to
portfolio management. We also spend time explaining our investment style to ensure that
your expectations will be met. Together we develop the investment guidelines and establish
the asset mix and ranges we will follow when managing your portfolio. This information can be
found in our investment policy statement.
All portfolios are managed on a segregated basis, meaning they are managed in the clients’
name and securities are held in the clients’ accounts. This allows us to respect your wishes
and exclude any securities you may not wish to hold such as securities issued by alcohol or
tobacco companies for example. We tailor your portfolio to your wishes using our research
methodology. Portfolio management software and accounting software allow us to create a
tailored portfolio.
D. WRAP FEE PROGRAMS
Claret does not engage in wrap fee programs. Therefore, this part is not applicable.
E. CLIENT ASSETS MANAGED ON A DISCRETIONARY BASIS
Claret manages portfolios on a discretionary basis which means that you sign a contract which
gives us the authority to buy and sell securities within your account(s) without having to first
ask your permission to do so. Claret had approximately $1.8 billion U.S. dollars under
management as of December 31, 2023.