Tom Pence – Looking from the Outside
Back Home Again In Indiana
Tom Pence
Over the years, Tom Pence has been willing to create and follow his own path toward success.
He did not attend a training program for managers like those offered by Fidelity and T. Rowe Price. He also did not have a
friendly mentor in the business that could help “show him the ropes”. Instead, Tom says he learned how to succeed by making mistakes.
This type of “ on the job” learning has allowed Tom and his team to put together an excellent long-term track record of success.
Tom grew up in Columbus, Indiana and attended Indiana University where he majored in business.
He also attended Notre Dame University where he received an MBA. Upon graduation he headed to Chicago where he worked as an analyst
before moving back to Indiana in 1991 to join Conseco Funds. In 1997, Tom was named lead manager on the Conseco Equity Fund. This fund
was sold to Strong Capital and resold again to Wells Fargo in 2005. Tom and his core team of analysts have remained together in Indianapolis
through each of these acquisitions. Tom likes being located far away from the madness of Wall Street. He believes their Indiana location
provides more time for his team to focus on fresh investment ideas.
Tom’s team meets every Monday morning to discuss their existing portfolio of stocks. His team’s research
process is designed to provide a complete view of each company before they invest in the stock. His “surround the company” approach starts
with interviewing the existing management and CEO to understand their business plan. The next step is to interview the company’s suppliers,
competitors and industry contacts. Next, careful attention is given to the strength of their balance sheet and how capital has been allocated
to achieve future earnings growth. Finally, Tom and his team place a fair market value on the selected company. If the stock is selling well
below their valuation, it becomes a candidate to be added to the portfolio.
The fund’s portfolio is divided into three parts: core holdings, developing situations, and valuation opportunities.
He also has the ability to invest up to 25% of the fund assets in foreign stocks. This type of diversified portfolio construction provides
greater stability over long-term time periods.
The fund we are investing in to gain access to Money Master Tom Pence is:
| Fund Name: |
Wells Fargo Endeavor Select |
| Fund Symbol: |
WECDX |
| Fund Summary: |
|
The fund seeks to identify companies that have the prospect for improving sales and earnings growth rates, enjoy a competitive advantage
and have effective management teams with a history of making investments that are in the best interests of shareholders. The fund pays
particular attention to balance sheet metrics and the allocation of capital in order to drive future cash flow.
Click here for the
Fund Fact Sheet.
* Notes: The 10-year average return shown for WECDX is for the 10-year period 01/01/02 - 12/31/11.
The average was calculated by adding the results for the 10 consecutive calendar years shown and dividing that result by 10.
The 10-year average return and 10 individual annual performance results are shown with all dividends and gains
reinvested and are net of all fund fees. All fund expenses have already been deducted from the percentage results shown.
Source for Calendar year results: Zephyr StyleADVISOR.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Actual future results will vary.
The Retirement Corporation of America (RCA) is under no obligation to use
featured managers or funds and will change managers should they fail to meet
our selection criteria.
Information pertaining to RCA's advisory operations, services and fees is set forth in RCA's current disclosure statement (copy available upon request from RCA).