Skip to main content

Philosophy and process

SEI's investment management foundation. 

Everything we do across our investment management organization is based on the core tenets of: 

  • Advice: We start with investors’ goals and objectives, advising and recommending based on what is in their best interests for their specific situations. We seek to empower wiser decision-making and realization of goal attainment.
  • Customization: We access the entirety of the capital markets by blending internal capabilities with high-conviction third-party offerings to deliver investment solutions designed to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns over the long term.
  • Stability: We manage uncertainty with a forward-looking mindset and a risk-managed approach. Rooted in diversification and innovation, we constantly evolve to meet market challenges.

SEI's investment process.

A four-step process designed to help investors achieve their goals across all market environments.

1. Asset allocation: It starts with the right advice.

We believe the best way to maximize the chances of investment success is to avoid making emotionally driven portfolio changes. Specifically, strategic asset allocation is the key to constructing portfolios that: 

  • Align major financial goals (such as retirement, education or lifestyle) with risk tolerances—which can help improve investors’ understanding of how their current investments support their objectives.
  • Allocate across a variety of asset classes and risk exposures, reducing reliance on any one source of return— which should encourage and sustain investors’ confidence that the investment strategy is well-prepared for financial success across a wide range of economic and market scenarios.

2. Portfolio design: Customization at the forefront

Our portfolio design process is designed to assess the portfolio’s investment objectives; determine an appropriate return target and risk profile for those objectives; and to formulate an investment strategy that we believe will best achieve those goals.

3. Implementation: Customization to meet a range of needs

We then determine the most appropriate strategy implementation, whether from our suite of internally managed fixed income or equity factor solutions or from our roster of vetted sub-advised managers.1 The goal is to identify managers with a sustainable competitive advantage.

4. Risk management and oversight: Seeking stability in an uncertain world

  • The Investment Risk Management team is responsible for determining whether a portfolio’s risks are consistent with its given mandate. The team maintains a distinct separation from portfolio management in order to ensure objectivity. It reports directly to SEI's Chief Risk Officer, which helps preserve impartiality and enables immediate access to and support from senior management.
  • Our governance structure also includes several oversight committees that provide oversight around all functional areas. The objective of the governance framework is to ensure our investment processes, implementations, and investment results are meeting the expectations of SEI and its clients while adhering to established policies and procedures.

SEI Investment Management Unit. 

SEI’s Investment Management Unit (IMU) is responsible for building and managing a wide range of investment strategies for institutional and individual investors. Our investment resources are both deep and broad.  

The investment team comprises more than 100 professionals across three countries on two continents2 with direct experience managing assets as active decision-makers, including executing trades and overseeing risk.  They are supported by dedicated operations, technology, and communications teams embedded with the investment team. These investment professionals are overseen by a robust governance structure that maintains a system of checks and balances and reports directly to the Chief Investment Officer. The entire IMU is supported by a team at the intersection of trading, operations, and technology and is well-resourced, with an average annual research expenditure of roughly $14 million spent on data and research in 2024. 

The IMU is highly credentialed. As of 2024, the portfolio managers have, on average, over 20 years of investment experience and include CFA® charterholders as well as those who have either attained their MBA or have earned another advanced degree.

1 Please note that all references to internally-managed solutions are applicable only to U.S. and offshore market. Such solutions are not currently available in Canada.

2 As of 2024.

 

Important information 

This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. 

Statements that are not factual in nature, including opinions, projections and estimates, assume certain economic conditions and industry developments and constitute only current opinions that are subject to change without notice. Nothing herein is intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. 

There are risks involved with investing, including loss of principal. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the original amount invested. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investment may not be suitable for everyone. 

This material is not directed to any persons where (by reason of that person's nationality, residence or otherwise) the publication or availability of this material is prohibited. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions apply must not rely on this information in any respect whatsoever. 

The information contained herein is for general and educational information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting, securities, research or investment advice regarding the strategies or any security in particular, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment. This information should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, derivative or futures contract. You should not act or rely on the information contained herein without obtaining specific legal, tax, accounting and investment advice from an investment professional. 

The views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any investment in any jurisdiction. Our outlook contains forward-looking statements that are judgments based upon our current assumptions, beliefs and expectations. If any of the factors underlying our current assumptions, beliefs or expectations change, our statements as to potential future events or outcomes may be incorrect. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

For those SEI products which employ a multi-manager structure, the manager of such products is responsible for overseeing the sub-advisers and recommending their hiring, termination and replacement. References to specific securities, if any, are provide solely to illustrate the manager’s investment advisory services and do not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy, sell or hold such securities. Positioning and holdings are subject to change. 

There is no assurance that the objectives of any strategy or fund will be achieved or will be successful. No investment strategy, including diversification, can protect against market risk or loss. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk. Not all strategies discussed may be available for your investment. 

Information in the U.S. is provided by SEI Investments Management Corporation (SIMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company (SEI).

Information provided in Canada by SEI Investments Canada Company, the Manager of the SEI Funds in Canada.

In the UK and the EEA this information issued in the UK by SEI Investments (Europe) Ltd, 1st Floor, Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1BR which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Investments in SEI Funds are generally medium- to long-term investments. 

Issued in South Africa by SEI Investments (South Africa) (Pty) Limited FSP No. 13186 which is a financial services provider authorised and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Registered office: 3 Melrose Boulevard, 1st Floor, Melrose Arch 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa.