Firm Description
LCM Capital Management Inc. ("LCM") is a registered investment advisor based in Chicago,
Illinois. We are organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois. LCM has been
providing investment advisory services since 2001. John Michael Nowicki and Gary Michael
Wozny are the principal owners.
The following paragraphs describe our services and fees. As used in this brochure, the words
"we", "our" and "us" refer to LCM Capital Management Inc. and the words "you", "your" and
"client" refer to you as either a client or prospective client of our firm.
You may see the term Associated Person throughout this Brochure. As used in this Brochure,
this term refers to anyone from our firm who is an officer, employee, and all individuals
providing investment advice on behalf of our firm. Such persons are registered as investment
adviser representatives in all required jurisdictions.
Program Services
LCM provides continuous and regular supervisory services on a discretionary basis. LCM will
offer Clients ongoing portfolio management services through determining individual
investment goals, time horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment strategies,
investment selection, assets allocation, portfolio monitoring and the overall investment
program will be based on the above factors.
When the Client provides LCM discretionary authority the Client will sign a limited trading
authorization or equivalent. LCM will have the authority to execute transactions in the
account without seeking Client approval on each transaction.
Through a multiple step discovery process, LCM obtains the necessary financial data from the
Client and assists the Client in setting appropriate investment objectives for the Program
account. LCM obtains updated information from the Client during regularly scheduled Client
performance reviews, as necessary in order to provide personalized investment advice to the
Client.
The Client will be required to enter into a written agreement with LCM in order to establish
a Program account. The Client will also be required to complete an application with the
broker/dealer that will act as custodian for Program account assets.
A Wrap Fee Program is an investment advisory program in which Clients pay one bundled
fee for both investment advisory services and the transaction costs in the account(s). This
may result in a higher advisory fee to the Client. LCM does not charge Clients higher advisory
fees based on the trading activity, but Clients should be aware that LCM may have an
incentive to limit the trading activities in the account(s) because LCM may be charged for
executed trades. By participating in a wrap fee program, Clients may end up paying more or
less than they would through a non-wrap fee program elsewhere, where a lower advisory fee
may be charged, but trade execution costs would be passed directly through to the Client by
the executing broker.
The Program Fee is not based directly upon the actual transaction or execution costs for the
transactions within the account(s). Depending on the underlying investments in the Program
and how much trading activity occurs, Clients may pay more or less than if they chose another
advisory program that does not have a wrap fee, or if Clients chose to pay separately for all of
the transaction costs (e.g., pay the advisory fee plus all transaction charges). Similar services
to those offered in the Program may be purchased from another unaffiliated financial services
provider.
Services
LCM, as portfolio manager, is responsible for the research, security selection and
implementation of transaction orders in your portfolio. We offer discretionary portfolio
management services through the Program, which provides for various private client
portfolio investment strategies.
These strategies are:
Asset Allocation - The portfolio strategy consists of an allocation of equity securities and
fixed income securities designed to meet the client’s specific risk profile. Risk profiles range
from Aggressive (80% Equity / 20% Fixed Income) to Conservative (25% Equity / 75% Fixed
Income).
Custom Managed – The portfolio strategy is customized for clients who require special care
when merging old portfolios into new strategies or otherwise catering to a client’s specific
situation. The portfolios under Custom Managed can include different allocations of equity
and fixed income securities. Risk profiles range from 100% Fixed Income to 100% Equity.
Core Portfolio – This equity-only portfolio strategy is designed to achieve long term capital
appreciation by investing in a portfolio of diversified large cap US domestic leaders. Risk
Profile: Aggressive – 100% Equity.
Global Growth – This equity only portfolio strategy is designed to achieve long term capital
appreciation by investing in a portfolio of diversified large cap global leaders. Risk Profile:
Aggressive – 100% Equity.
Fixed Income - A customized portfolio tailored to the client’s specific needs. This portfolio
could emphasize tax free monthly income, periodic lump sums, laddered portfolios, or a
combination of fixed income vehicles. Risk Profile: Conservative - 100% Fixed Income.
LCM employs an investment process that is adapted to meet the needs and investment
objectives of each client. We begin the investment process by having an in-depth conversation
with the client to gain a thorough understanding of the client’s investment objectives, risk
tolerance, time horizon, and other relevant information.
Each potential client receives an Information Request asking for copies of documents relating
to the client’s current assets that make up the client’s investment portfolios. LCM then
performs an analysis in order to provide a proposal to the potential client. LCM also uses the
information gathered from the potential client to identify the client’s financial risk profile and
to provide a comparison between LCM's proposed strategy and the prospective client’s actual
invested portfolio. An Associated Person of LCM will then discuss the contents of the proposal
with the prospective client during a meeting or telephone conference.
We determine an appropriate investment strategy for the client based on mutual
understanding. Portfolio holdings may be adapted to take into account specific client
circumstances, such as cash flow needs, concentrated positions, existing holdings, taxes, and
other considerations. The investment strategy provides a framework for determining the
asset allocation that seeks to appropriately balance risk and return over a long-term time
horizon. Asset allocation is the relative mix of cash, fixed income, and equity securities
suitable for a client’s investment portfolio. LCM believes investment risk is lessened when a
portfolio is diversified. Diversification of a portfolio helps prevent under or over-exposure to
sectors or specific securities. We implement the selected strategy in order to achieve the
client’s investment objectives. Although strategies can be changed to account, for example,
for changed circumstances, we believe adhering to our long term, low-turnover asset
allocation approach will generally provide enhanced portfolio returns with reduced volatility.
Program Fees
The annual investment advisory fee (“Annual Fee”) schedule for the Program is described
below:
Fixed Income Strategy Portfolios*
Assets Under Management Maximum Annual Fee
$100,000 to $499,999 1.50%
$500,000 to $999,999 1.00%
$1,000,000 and above 0.75%
Equity / Asset Allocation Strategy Portfolios*
Assets Under Management Maximum Annual Fee
$25,000 to $99,999 2.50%
$100,000 to $249,999 2.25%
$250,000 to $499,999 2.00%
$500,000 to $999,999 1.75%
$1,000,000 and above 1.50%
*Equity/Asset Allocation Strategy Portfolios are subject to a minimum size of $25,000 and
Fixed Income Strategy Portfolios are subject to a minimum size of $100,000. Portfolio
minimums are negotiable at the sole discretion of LCM.
At our discretion, we may combine the account values of family members to meet the Portfolio
minimums and/or lower fee brackets. Older client relationships
may be subject to a different
fee schedule and Portfolio minimum. Advisory fees are based upon the initial investment
contribution total of all the accounts represented in a portfolio. Once the annual fee
percentage has been established, the fee rate remains in effect for the life of the portfolio. In
the event of a significant deposit or withdrawal from the portfolio, our fee can be adjusted
accordingly to reflect a higher or lower fee bracket for the combined total of all accounts in
the billed portfolio.
Our annual portfolio management fee for portfolio management services is billed and payable
monthly in arrears based on the number of days in the month. For fee purposes, the account
valuation will be based upon the last day of the preceding month.
For the first and last month for which you are a client, you can be billed on a pro rata basis,
which means that the advisory fee is based on the number of days in the month during which
you are a client.
Except for certain accounts which will be invoiced, we will deduct our advisory fee through
the qualified custodian holding your funds and securities. We will deduct our fee only when
you have given our firm written authorization permitting the fees to be paid directly from
your account. Further, the qualified custodian will deliver an account statement to you at least
quarterly. These account statements will show all disbursements, including management
fees, from your account. Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be
deducted, we encourage you to carefully review the account statements to verify the fee
calculation and the consistency of the fee deducted with our agreement with you, among
other things. If you find any inaccurate or inconsistent information, please call our main office
number located on the cover page of this brochure. We will also have access to a duplicate
copy of your account statements.
You may terminate the portfolio management agreement upon written notice to our firm. You
will incur a pro rata charge for services rendered prior to the termination of the portfolio
management agreement, which means you will incur advisory fees only in proportion to the
number of days in the month for which you are a client. A termination fee of $750.00 per
account will apply if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated within the first two
years.
Upon termination of accounts held at Schwab or Fidelity, they can deliver securities and funds
held in the account per your instructions unless you request that the account be liquidated.
After the agreement has been terminated, transactions are processed at the prevailing
brokerage rates/fees. You become responsible for monitoring your own assets and our firm
has no further obligation to act upon or to provide advice with respect to those assets.
In the case of account closures or transfers out, client grants LCM the right to cross trade
any/all bond position(s) held in account(s) with existing clients, prior to transfer. Client
acknowledges these cross trades may or may not generate a taxable event, and may incur a
liquidation transaction fee as defined in the Investment Advisory Agreement.
In the event of “partial or full liquidations” at the request of the client, a liquidation
transaction fee of $20.00 per transaction can be charged for those positions closed or adjusted
to generate the cash and/or transfer of assets requested by client. This fee may also apply if
client changes their investment criteria or risk profile significantly.
In addition to the Annual Fee, Clients may also incur certain charges imposed by third parties
in connection with investments made through Program accounts, including those imposed by
the custodian. These may include, but are not limited to, the following: mutual fund or money
market 12b-1 fees, sub-transfer agent fees, certain deferred sales charges on previously
purchased mutual funds transferred into the account, other transaction charges and service
fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, administrative fees, fees for trades executed away
from custodian, administrative servicing fees for trust accounts, creation and development
fees or similar fees imposed by unit investment trust sponsors, managed futures investor
servicing fees, and other charges required by law. LCM does not receive any portion of these
fees. In addition, LCM does not pay those costs that are embedded in the price of the security
such as mark-ups or mark-downs on the purchase or sale of fixed income instruments and
does not cover margin interest. LCM does not share in any portion of these fees imposed by
the broker-dealer or custodian. Further information regarding charges and fees assessed by
a mutual fund or variable annuity are available in the appropriate prospectus.
In general, with very few exceptions, LCM does not invest in Mutual Funds as a core principle
in its investment strategies. In certain exceptional market conditions, we may also buy or sell
money market mutual funds in your portfolios if we believe it is in your interest however we
expect such purchases to be limited. For example, from time to time, the rates paid on free
cash balances in your portfolio may be higher in money market mutual funds than in other
cash management options such as custodial sweep accounts; in such event, we may buy and
sell such funds in your portfolio in order to increase the income in your portfolio. From time
to time, your account may hold cash equivalents with respect to which the custodian or other
provider may charge a fee.
If you transfer Mutual funds into the LCM Wrap Program, the Mutual Funds may also charge
a redemption fee if a redemption is made within a specific time period following your original
investment. The terms of any redemption fee are disclosed in the fund’s prospectus.
Transactions in mutual fund shares (e.g., for rebalancing, liquidations, deposits or tax
harvesting) may be subject to a fund’s frequent trading policy.
LCM recommends that Clients establish brokerage accounts with the Charles Schwab & Co.
division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
1 ("Schwab"), and/or Fidelity Investments
2 through
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and National Financial Services LLC (“Fidelity”), FINRA
3
registered broker-dealers and SIPC
4 members, to maintain custody of Clients’ assets and to
effect trades for their accounts. Schwab and Fidelity have eliminated commissions for online
trades of equities, ETFs and options (subject to $0.65 per contract fee). This means that, in
most cases, when we buy and sell these types of securities, we will not have to pay any
commissions to Schwab or Fidelity, but would have to pay options contract fees. We
encourage you to review the custodian’s pricing to compare the total costs of entering into a
wrap fee arrangement versus a non-wrap fee arrangement. If you choose to enter into a wrap
fee arrangement, your total cost to invest could exceed the cost of paying for brokerage and
advisory services separately. To see what you would pay for transactions in a non-wrap
account please refer to Schwab’s most recent pricing schedules available at
schwab.com/aspricingguide and Fidelity’s schedules at fidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-
fees.
Client should be aware that margin borrowing involves additional risks. Margin borrowing
will result in increased gain if the value of the securities in the account go up, but will result
in increased losses if the account value decreases.
Since LCM will receive 100% of the fees paid for management of the wrap program, this may
create an incentive that Clients participate in a wrap fee program rather than a non-wrap fee
program elsewhere (where Clients would pay for trade execution costs) and brokerage
accounts where commissions are charged.