Horizon alignment is the first requirement.
Mercury's strategy requires patience that most investment mandates do not permit. The demographic shifts we invest against operate on five-to-fifteen-year timescales. Interim periods of underperformance relative to the S&P 500 are not only possible — they are a predictable feature of the strategy, not a defect.
Before accepting a new client, we confirm that their investment policy explicitly permits the holding periods and short-term volatility our approach requires. A client who will exit after eighteen months of underperformance destroys the mechanism of return — for themselves and for the portfolio.
$500,000 for individually managed accounts. Institutional accounts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We do not offer pooled vehicles at this time.
Five years minimum. The strategy is designed for investors who can commit capital for a full market cycle without requiring liquidity from the advisory account.
Annual fee billed quarterly, based on assets under management. Full schedule disclosed in Form ADV Part 2A. No commissions, no transaction fees, no revenue from third parties.
We manage several types of accounts under the same investment framework.
All accounts are individually managed and fully discretionary. The demographic thesis and investment process apply equally across account types.
Individual & Joint Taxable Accounts
Individually managed taxable brokerage accounts for individuals and joint account holders. Tax-loss harvesting is considered within the constraints of the investment thesis. We do not sacrifice position integrity for tax efficiency.
Retirement Accounts
IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. Rollover accounts from former employer plans. The long time horizons typical of retirement accounts align well with our investment framework, which makes retirement capital a natural fit for the strategy.
Trust & Institutional Accounts
Revocable and irrevocable trusts, family investment accounts, and smaller institutional mandates where the investment policy permits concentration and long holding periods. We do not manage against defined-benefit pension obligations or endowment spending requirements without explicit discussion of the constraints involved.
The onboarding process, step by step.
Initial Conversation
A 45-minute call or in-person meeting with David Godman to discuss your financial situation, objectives, and time horizon. Not a sales presentation — a mutual evaluation.
Investment Policy Review
We review your investment policy statement and confirm in writing that it permits our required holding periods and volatility range.
Advisory Agreement & Disclosures
We provide Form ADV Part 2A, Form CRS, and our advisory agreement for review. We answer all questions before any documents are signed. There is no pressure and no deadline.
Account Opening & Funding
Accounts are held at an independent qualified custodian. We coordinate the opening and transfer process. Portfolio construction begins within five business days of funding.
Ongoing Communication
Quarterly performance reports, an annual review meeting, and direct access to David Godman for questions at any time. We do not use a client portal as the primary communication channel — we communicate directly.
Ready to begin a conversation?
Fill out the form or reach us directly. We respond to every inquiry within one business day.
901-327-2788
info@merc-invest.com
Memphis, Tennessee