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ITEM 1 – COVER PAGE
Disclosure Brochure
March 2025
6363 Woodway Dr, Suite 763
Houston, Texas 77057
713.917.0022
713.917.0033 (fax)
www.doliveradvisors.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Doliver Advisors, L.P. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at 713.917.0022 and/or rrourke@doliveradvisors.com. The information in this
brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Doliver Advisors, L.P. is also available at the SEC’s website
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov (click on the link, select “investment adviser firm” and type in our
firm name or our CRD #106427). Results will provide you the most updated versions of both
Part 1 and 2 of our Form ADV and Form CRS.
We are an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our
registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.
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ITEM 2
MATERIAL CHANGES
–
I.
Please note that the following material change was made to this Brochure since our last annual
update filed on March 25, 2024:
Doliver Advisors has launched 1 alternative investment special purpose vehicle(s) (SPV’s):
Doliver APP Equity SPV, LLC
Doliver Advisors has launched 1 alternative investment fund of funds: Doliver Private
Opportunity Fund III, LP.
ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 1 – COVER PAGE ................................................................................................................................................
ITEM 2
MATERIAL CHANGES ................................................................................................................................
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ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................................................................................
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ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS.................................................................................................................................
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ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION .....................................................................................................................
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ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE‐BASED FEES AND SIDE‐BY‐SIDE MANAGEMENT .............................................
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ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS .....................................................................................................................................
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ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS ..............................
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ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ............................................................................................................
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ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS ..........................................
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ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND
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PERSONAL TRADING ................................................................................................................................................
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES ....................................................................................................................
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ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS .......................................................................................................................
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ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION ..................................................................
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ITEM 15 – CUSTODY .................................................................................................................................................
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ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION ................................................................................................................
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ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES ............................................................................................................
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ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................
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ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS
I.
ADVISORY FIRM DESCRIPTION.
Doliver Advisors, L.P. (Doliver) is an investment advisory firm located in Houston, TX.
Doliver’s investment advisory services are offered through quantitative investment strategies
and wealth management. While the firm has been in business since 1988, Ralph McBride
has been the sole owner of the firm since 2005. As of December 31, 2024, Doliver managed
Overview of Quantitative Investment Strategies:
approximately $615,000,000 on a discretionary basis and $0 on a non-discretionary basis.
Doliver offers two quantitative investment strategies related to closed end funds
(“CEF’s”). Both strategies seek to capture potential inefficiencies in changing discounts
and premiums to NAV and seek to produce returns similar to the equity market over the
long term but with less volatility. Clients have the ability to restrict specific CEF’s and can
also choose a custom target allocation between the three major sectors of CEF’s: equity
CEF’s, taxable bond CEF’s, and municipal bond CEF’s.
Overview of Wealth Management:
Doliver provides personalized wealth management solutions and customized portfolio
management to its clients. Doliver works closely with each client to identify their goals,
investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and financial situation in order to
formulate a financial strategy. Advice is provided through further consultation with the
client and may include: asset allocation, customized portfolio management, risk
management, retirement planning advice on 401(k) and cash balance plans, asset
dashboard organization and consolidated reporting, private equity opportunities, and
access to our network of service providers and alternative investments.
Doliver also provides cash management solutions for clients. Depending on the client’s
time horizon, liquidity needs, risk tolerance and return requirements, Doliver can build
and customize a client’s cash management plan using the following types of securities:
U.S. treasuries, municipal bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, high yield corporate
bonds, certificates of deposit (CD’s), or treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS). For
some clients, a bond ladder may be utilized to help minimize reinvestment risk in fixed
income securities while also managing the timing of liquidity needs (cash flows) for the
client. Doliver is also investment advisor to qualified settlement funds (QSF’s) and seeks
to enhance the QSF’s yields by utilizing money market funds or investment programs
through the Promontory Interfinancial Network such as the Insured Cash Sweep,
Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS), or Promnet Repo which
provides the ability to invest in U.S. Treasuries or Agency MBS.
For some clients in wealth management, and where appropriate, enhanced options
strategies may be employed in an effort to reduce risk and increase income. Covered call
strategies may be used for clients with low-cost basis stock positions.
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For wealth management and quantitative investment strategies, clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities. See Item 8 of this
brochure for more information on our wealth management and investment strategies.
Doliver will hire sub-advisors for various strategies to manage some, all, or a portion of
accounts as deemed appropriate within client investment objectives.
Doliver offers private equity investment opportunities to eligible clients. Doliver is the
general partner of three private equity funds that follow predetermined investment
objectives and are subject to annual audits by third-party public accountants in
accordance with regulatory requirements.
Doliver has launched five special purpose vehicles since 2021 to fulfill specific investment
objectives and isolate risk and return exposure for qualified clients.
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION
CLOSED‐END FUND STRATEGY FEES:
I.
DEFINITIONS
A.)
Net Asset Value
i.
is defined as the sum of net equity across all of each client's
managed accounts including the effect of securities receivable and corresponding
sums (including fees) payable, plus any distributions, dividends, fee credits
receivable, (or tax credits receivable). Doliver receives custodial data from a 3rd
party service provider. The custodial data may not match the broker statement
exactly due to any of the following reasons: different price sources, accrued
interest may be included or excluded, or unsettled trades.
Net Asset Value
Net Performance
ii.
for any period is defined as the change in
after
considering commission and interest expenses less any additional funds placed
under management by the client plus any withdrawals by the client.
Net Performance
Net Rate of Return
Net Asset Value
iii.
for any period is defined as the
for the
period divided by the beginning
for the period.
(Effective January 1, 2015)
Benchmark
iv.
.
The benchmark will be applied as
0.75% for each quarter and will be used as an alternative until the 90-day T-
Bill rate increases to a level above this 3% annual rate. This change is beneficial
for clients and is reflected by the quarterly percentage gain (or loss) in the
account value being reduced by 0.75% prior to the calculation of the
performance fees, thus resulting in lower performance fees (or larger fee
credits in event of a decline in the value of the account) for the quarter. This
new benchmark does not result in any change in the methodology used for the
calculation of the performance fees or fee credits and will not impact the base
advisory fee.
FEE SCHEDULE
B.)
: Our standard fee schedule is billed on a quarterly basis (Lower fees for
comparable services may be available from other sources.):
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FEE:
beginning
Net Asset Value
Net Rate of Return
quarter
An annual fee of 1.0% (.25% quarterly) of assets under management based on
. The performance fee is plus or minus 0.1% of
exceeds or falls short of the benchmark (see
the
each 1% that the
Benchmark Definition) during the quarter.
Fees are assessed quarterly in arrears.
After the base fee calculation, any fee reduction resulting from the cumulative
performance adjustment will be carried as a fee credit against subsequent client
performance fees due. We reserve the right to negotiate the above fee schedule if we
consider such negotiation advisable. Effective January 1, 2015, Doliver implemented
an alternative benchmark.
FEE CREDITS:
The inclusion of fee credits in the account used to calculate fees will
have a small effect, over time, on the total fees paid. Generally future fee credits
accumulated by the client will result in the client paying higher total fees than would
otherwise be the case. Sufficient information is provided in the reports to clients in
order to permit them to calculate the differences in fees based on their particular
circumstances. We will provide assistance to any client who requests such a
determination.
TERMINATION:
The client may terminate the advisory agreement at any time by
giving written notice to us, and the account value used in determining the final
performance fee adjustment will be based on the next available closing market values
on major exchanges. In the event of account termination, there will be no refund of any
previously paid advisory fees or previous fee credits issued.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT FEES:
II.
Wealth Management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management (see
schedule below):
TIERED FEE SCHEDULE
AUM
Annual Fee
$0 - $1,000,000
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
Over $10,000,000
1.00%
0.80%
0.60%
0.50%
The wealth management fee includes guidance of financial objectives and goals, in-house
wealth management, and access to our third-party network of ancillary financial service
providers.
Clients will be invoiced in advance at the beginning of each calendar quarter based upon the
market value of the client’s account at the end of the previous quarter. Fees will be debited
from the account in accordance with the client authorization in the Wealth Management
Agreement.
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Lower fees for comparable services are available from other sources. In certain
circumstances, fees, account minimums and payment terms are negotiable depending on
client’s unique situation such as the size of the aggregate related party portfolio size, family
holdings, low-cost basis securities, passively advised investments, complexity of the
engagement, or other factors. To the extent that margin is employed in the management of
the client’s portfolio, the market value of the client’s account will be increased. Therefore,
the corresponding fee payable by the client to the Advisor will be increased since the
margin balance is included in the overall management fee calculation.
If an account with a fee in advance arrangement is terminated before the end of the billing
period, Doliver will refund the pre-paid fee for the unearned portion of the fee. Some clients
may pay fees in arrears as written in the investment management agreement.
For clients entering sub-advisory relationships, whereby Doliver has authority to hire a
sub-advisor, the total amount of fees paid by Clients (including both the sub-advisor’s and
Doliver’s fee) will not be more than the advisory fee which that Client would have paid to
Doliver for its advisory services absent the sub-advisory relationship.
For clients participating in private equity opportunities, Doliver has confirmed with that
they meet the requirements as “qualified clients” by having a net-worth of at least $2.1M
or at least $1M held with the advisor immediately after participating in the investment.
DOLIVER PRIVATE EQUITY FUND FEES:
III.
The Manager and its affiliates may receive certain transaction fees, advisory fees, break-up
fees, monitoring fees and other similar fees from Portfolio Companies and in connection
with unconsummated transactions. The Manager’s ability to receive such fees from
Portfolio Companies for performing consulting and other services for, or serving as
directors (or similar positions) of, such Portfolio Companies represents a conflict of
interest to the extent that the Partnership has or will have control or significant influence
over such Portfolio Companies, although this potential conflict of interest is mitigated by
the fact that the amounts of such fees is typically negotiated with the applicable Portfolio
Company’s management team and/or any roll-over equity holders.
FEE BILLING:
IV.
Fees are calculated by Doliver and are deducted from the client’s account(s) at the
Custodian. Clients provide written authorization permitting Doliver to be paid directly
from their account(s) held by the Custodian as part of the investment advisory agreement
and separate account forms provided by the Custodian. Clients will be provided with a
statement, at least quarterly, from the Custodian reflecting deduction of the investment
advisory fee. We encourage clients to verify the accuracy of these fees as listed on the
Custodian’s brokerage statement against their fee statement, as the Custodian does not
assume this responsibility.
Clients have the option to make fee payments by check. Before doing so, Clients should
request and receive written approval from Doliver. Payments by check should be made
within 15 days of receiving a fee invoice.
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ADDITIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES:
V.
Clients may incur certain fees or charges imposed by third parties, other than Doliver, in
connection with investments made on behalf of the client’s account(s). The client is
responsible for all custody and securities execution fees charged by the Custodian. The
fees charged by Doliver are separate and distinct from these custody and execution fees.
The following list of fees or expenses are what clients pay directly to third parties, whether
a security is being purchased, sold or held in accounts under our management. The fees
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brokerage commissions;
Exchange fees;
SEC fees;
Advisory fees and administrative fees charged by funds;
Advisory fees charged by sub-advisers (if any are used for your account);
Custodial fees;
Deferred sales charges;
Transfer and electronic fund processing fees;
Commissions or mark-ups / mark-downs on security transactions;
Others that may be incurred.
In addition, no employees receive (directly or indirectly) any compensation from the sale
of securities or other investment products that are purchased or sold for your account. As
a result, we are a fee only investment adviser.
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE‐BASED FEES AND SIDE‐BY‐SIDE MANAGEMENT
We charge performance-based fees to "qualified clients" (clients having a net worth greater
than $2,100,000 or for whom we manage at least $1,000,000), immediately after entering
an agreement for our services. Performance-based fees are fees based on a share of capital
gains or capital appreciation of a client's account. The amount of the performance-based
fee we charge for the closed end fund strategy is described in "Item 5 Fees and
Compensation" section in this Brochure.
For clients participating in the closed end fund strategy who do not satisfy the net worth
or account size requirements necessary for the performance-based fee, the advisory fee
will instead be 0.375% of net assets each quarter (1.5% annual rate). This fee may be
negotiable.
We manage accounts that are charged performance-based fees while at the same time
managing accounts (in some cases with similar objectives) that are not charged
performance-based fees ("side-by side management"). Performance-based fees and side-
by-side management creates conflicts of interest, which we have identified and described
in the following paragraphs.
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Performance-based fees creates an incentive for our firm to make investments that are
riskier or more speculative than would be the case absent a performance fee arrangement.
In order to address this potential conflict of interest, client accounts are periodically
reviewed to ensure that investments are suitable and are managed according to the client's
investment objectives and risk tolerance. For clients participating in Doliver’s private
equity opportunities there are performance-based fees in place according to the PPM of
each fund.
Side-by-side management might provide an incentive for our firm to favor accounts for
which we receive a performance-based fee. For example, we have an incentive to allocate
investment opportunities to clients who are charged performance-based fees over clients
who are charged asset-based fees only. To address this conflict of interest, we have
instituted policies and procedures that require our firm to allocate investment
opportunities in an effort to avoid favoritism among our clients, regardless of whether the
client is charged performance fees.
For clients participating in private equity opportunities, Doliver will receive compensation
from general partners on a case-by-case basis pursuant to the PPM and subscription
documents for each third-party fund. Each arrangement with general partner is disclosed
to our clients such that they are able to make an informed decision if they choose to
proceed with the investment.
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS
TYPES OF CLIENTS:
I.
We offer our services to a number of clients:
individuals, trusts, estates,
foundations, charitable
Individuals, high net worth
organizations, pooled investment vehicles, corporations or other business entities,
pension, employer sponsored plans and profit-sharing plans, among others.
Closed‐End Fund Strategies’ Account Minimums:
II.
A minimum account of $250,000 is required for closed-end fund strategy clients, although
this may be negotiable under certain circumstances.
As described in Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, we will only enter
into investment advisory contracts under the performance fee arrangement with qualified
clients. Qualified clients are individuals or companies who have certified that,
immediately after entering the contract, have $1,000,000 under the management of the
Advisor or whose net worth, at the time the advisory contract is entered into, exceeds
$2,100,000 exclusive of his or her primary residence.
III. Wealth Management Account Minimums:
A minimum account of $250,000 is required for wealth management clients, although this
is negotiable under certain circumstances. Doliver may group certain related client
accounts for the purposes of achieving the minimum account size.
IV. Doliver Private Equity Fund Account Minimums:
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A minimum account of $200,000 is required for Doliver Private Opportunity Fund I LP
clients, although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund
qualifies for the exclusion from the definition of investment company under section
3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified
clients.
A minimum account of $200,000 is required for Doliver Private Opportunity Fund II LP
clients, although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund
qualifies for the exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section
3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified
clients.
A minimum account of $200,000 is required for Doliver Private Opportunity Fund III LP
clients, although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund
qualifies for the exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section
3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified
clients.
A minimum account of $200,000 is required for Doliver Income Fund I LLC clients,
although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies
for the exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
A minimum account of $100,000 is required for Doliver Maple Fund LLC clients, although
this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies for the
exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
A minimum account of $100,000 is required for Doliver Tempo Fund LLC clients, although
this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies for the
exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
A minimum account of $100,000 is required for Doliver Build to Suit LLC clients, although
this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies for the
exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
A minimum account of $100,000 is required for Doliver Royalty Fund I LLC clients,
although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies
for the exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
A minimum account of $100,000 is required for Doliver APP Equity SPV LLC clients,
although this may be negotiable under certain circumstances. The private fund qualifies
for the exclusion from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(1) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, with sales being limited to qualified clients.
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ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK
OF LOSS
CLOSED‐END FUND STRATEGY:
I.
Background:
Closed end funds (“CEFs”) are similar to open end funds (commonly known as mutual
funds) but have several distinguishing features that, Doliver believes, make them very
attractive and differentiated from other investable securities.
CEF shares are listed on securities exchanges where they are bought and sold at a market
price. The market price of the CEF shares can vary considerably over time relative to the
fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). When the market price of the CEF trades below the fund’s
NAV (known as a discount), there may be an opportunity to purchase shares at a bargain,
or “discounted,” price. When the market price of a CEF trades above the fund’s NAV
(known as a premium), this may be an indication that the fund is trading above what it’s
worth and should be sold. Over time, a CEF’s market price relative to its NAV can fluctuate
significantly which may present opportunities for investors to capture a narrowing
discount and produce attractive risk- adjusted returns.
Investment Strategies & Methods of Analysis:
Doliver’s Core CEF Strategy is a quantitative investment strategy focused on capturing
inefficiencies in CEFs. The strategy holds a very diversified portfolio of CEFs with broad
market exposure and seeks to add extra return above that of the underlying market by
trading in and out of longer-term opportunities based on more extreme discounts and
premiums. Clients also have the option to choose their own asset allocation targets
between equity CEFs, taxable bond CEFs, and municipal bond CEFs. The investment
model includes factors such as discount to NAV, correlation analysis, linear regression,
liquidity, CEF management history, corporate governance, and activism. Turnover is
generally moderate to high and holding period of a position can range from days to
months. The strategy may also hold broad based ETF positions which may be increased
or decreased depending on the available opportunities existing in CEF’s. The strategy is
most suitable for conservative clients seeking capital appreciation with moderate risk.
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Doliver's Alternative CEF Strategy deploys a quantitative model to exploit market
inefficiencies of CEFs by analyzing the discount change of those CEFs. Statistical in
nature, the model derives its parameters from historical prices and trading data. Further,
Doliver utilizes a proprietary automated trading platform to execute trading signals that
the investment model generates, taking into consideration the trading cost, market
impact, and other trading metrics. Doliver's strategy seeks to hold a very diversified
portfolio of CEFs with broad market exposure to minimize risk and maximize return for
clients. Holding period of a position is largely dependent on the volatility in the market
and can range from a few days to several months. While turnover of the portfolio may be
higher when volatility increases, we also expect the strategy to perform well during more
volatile periods as discounts and premiums in CEFs can fluctuate significantly resulting
in more attractive opportunities. The strategy may also hold broad based ETF positions
which may be increased or decreased depending on the available opportunities existing
in CEF’s.
Doliver’s CEF Strategies do not attempt to predict the future of the markets, nor the
relative performance of different market sectors. The CEF Strategies seek to hold a good
cross section of all CEFs such that the combined market exposure provides desirable risk
characteristics relative to the overall markets. Doliver may leverage its portfolio through
margin debt for some clients where appropriate and approved by the client.
While portfolio turnover can increase brokerage and other transaction costs and taxes,
Doliver monitors these costs and their impact on the portfolio’s return.
CUSTOM WEALTH MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO:
II.
Investment Strategy and Methods of Analysis:
As part of the wealth management process, Doliver may use asset allocation among a
number of asset classes and sectors (domestic stocks vs. foreign stocks; large cap stocks
vs. small cap stocks; corporate bonds vs. government securities) for client accounts.
Asset allocation and individual investments within asset classes may be customized
based on the client’s return objectives, risk tolerance, age, retirement goals, assets held
outside Doliver management, and other factors. Where appropriate, enhanced options
strategies may be employed in an effort to reduce risk and increase income. Short
positions may be used from time to time to reduce market risk and take advantage of
perceived overvaluation in individual companies or specific markets. To obtain broad
exposure in certain sectors or markets, ETF’s and mutual funds may be utilized.
Our customer portfolio manager, Scott Jackson, employs a thematic approach to
investing which aims to capitalize on global trends and be a framework for bottom-up
fundamental research and further investment analysis. The portfolio invests primarily in
domestic equities with a market capitalization of $1 billion or greater. The portfolio may
also employ “risk management” tools including cash (which we view as an asset class),
ETFs, what we call “natural hedges”, and inverse and leveraged- inverse ETFs. With a
benchmark, capitalization, and style agnostic approach (meaning that we do not try to
manage accounts in a manner designed to track a market index, such as the S&P 500), we
have the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations, equity styles, and company
sectors.
FOCUSED GROWTH STRATEGY:
III.
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The Focused Growth strategy (U.S. Traded Equities, Long-Only) is designed to be the core
portion of a client’s equity exposure. Within the Focused Growth portfolio, we purchase high
quality companies in attractive industries that possess long-term growth opportunities
greater than that of the broader market. We want to own these businesses as long as these
advantages persist, and long-term return projections remain attractive. Each investment is
made with a 3-5 year time horizon in mind so that the favorable growth attributes of our
portfolio companies are allowed to compound in a tax efficient manner. As a general rule,
the Focused Growth strategy seeks to invest in companies that are disrupting existing and
sometimes sluggish business models, businesses with network characteristics that are very
difficult if not impossible to replicate, and businesses with predictable and recurring
revenue streams.
Stock selection and weightings are based on our internal estimates of risk-adjusted 3-year
total return projections. Our 3-5 year holding period allows us to look beyond day-to-day
market noise and focus on the long-term growth prospects of a company.
The Focused Growth strategy provides clients with diversified equity exposure across
numerous geographies and multiple sectors of the economy. The portfolio companies tend
to be large-to-mega cap in size and would generally be classified as growth rather than
value. We view risk more in terms of permanent impairment of capital and as such, the
businesses we invest in tend to have strong balance sheets and typically generate
substantial free cash flow. For clients desiring fixed income exposure, we leverage our
fundamental equity research to identify attractive high-quality corporate bonds.
The Focused Growth strategy is managed by Kenneth Burke, a subadvisor of Doliver
Advisors. Kenneth is the founder & CIO of Burke Wealth Management, LLC. Before hiring a
sub-advisor for client accounts, Doliver will perform due diligence on the firm and the
investment strategy. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting with the team making
investment related decisions to review and understand the investment philosophy and risk
profile of the strategy.
US MIRCOCAP STRATEGY
IV.
EMC's services are based on long-term investment strategies incorporating the principles
of Modern Portfolio Theory. EMC's investment approach is firmly rooted in the belief that
markets are "efficient" over long periods of time and investors' long-term returns are
determined principally by asset allocation decisions, rather than market timing or stock
picking. EMC recommends diversified portfolios, principally through the use of passively
managed, asset class mutual funds and ETFs. EMC selects or recommends to clients’
portfolios of securities, principally broadly traded open-end mutual funds to implement this
investment strategy.
Although all investments involve risk, EMC's investment advice seeks to limit risk through
broad diversification among asset classes. EMC's investment philosophy is designed for
investors who desire a buy and hold strategy. EMC's strategy seeks to minimize frequent
trading of securities that increase brokerage and other transaction costs.
In the implementation of investment plans, EMC therefore primarily uses mutual funds. EMC
may also utilize Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to represent a market sector.
Clients may hold or retain other types of assets as well, and EMC may offer advice regarding
those various assets as part of its services. Advice regarding such assets will generally not
involve asset management services but may help to more generally assist the client.
EMC’s strategies do not utilize securities that we believe would be classified as having any
unusual risks and we do not recommend frequent trading, which can increase brokerage
and other costs and taxes.
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The US Microcap strategy is managed by Rasool Shaik, a subadvisor of Doliver Advisors.
Rasool is the founder, managing partner & CCO of EMC Capital Management, LLC. Before
hiring a sub-advisor for client accounts, Doliver will perform due diligence on the firm and
the investment strategy. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting with the team making
investment related decisions to review and understand the investment philosophy and risk
profile of the strategy.
ABSOLUTE RETURN STRATEGY
V.
The Absolute Return strategy is built around using diversification, investment selection, and
investment skill to limit downside risks, while seeking to maximize upside return for clients
over the long term. Quantitative research shows that an investment strategy that can limit
downside return capture to fifty percent or less, and produce upside return capture of fifty
percent or more will statistically produce clients a smoother portfolio equity curve over
long-term investing timeframes that improve the long-term investor experience through
secular market cycles.
The Absolute Return strategy is built as an unconstrained highly diversified and
investment strategy that utilizes statistical and
liquid global macro quantitative
mathematical inference to invest both long and short across the universe of U.S. traded ETFs.
The strategy's flexible mandate is focused on achieving its investment philosophy of limiting
downside capture and maximizing upside capture through a disciplined time-tested
framework of diversification, investment selection, and systematic hedging.
The strategy engages through a model-driven investment decision approach that
continuously monitors the universe of ETFs. The investment model includes portfolio
component selection criteria aimed at reducing unsystematic risk and maximizing liquidity.
The model also incorporates correlation analysis used in both selection, rebalancing, and
hedging decisions. Market volatility presents opportunities to generate short-term portfolio
alpha through factor-based rebalancing.
The strategy holds a diversified portfolio of U.S. traded ETFs across a broad market exposure
with a variety of investment factor styles. These styles can at times include factors of growth,
value, sector, momentum, and thematic. The strategy is appropriate for clients seeking
wealth preservation and capital appreciation with a moderate risk profile. The Absolute
Return strategy can be implemented as a core portfolio allocation, or as a stabilizing
complement to a traditional portfolio.
The Absolute Return strategy is managed by Christopher Day, a subadvisor of Doliver
Advisors. Christopher is the founder & CEO of Days Global Advisors, LLC. Before hiring a
sub-advisor for client accounts, Doliver will perform due diligence on the firm and the
investment strategy. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting with the team making
investment related decisions to review and understand the investment philosophy and risk
profile of the strategy.
PRIVATE EQUITY:
VI.
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Doliver may evaluate private equity opportunities for qualified clients seeking bond-like
income and returns uncorrelated to public markets. Doliver has developed strategic
relationships with private equity partners and entrepreneurs that provide our investors
with access to proprietary deal flow in proven and emerging asset classes. Our team
continually invests time in cultivating relationships, identifying opportunities, conducting
thorough due diligence on each company’s revenues, cash flow, underlying fundamentals,
and relevant experience. Placements into private equity opportunities are evaluated on a
case-by-case basis according to the individual suitability of each client.
All investments in securities, including private investment partnerships, include a risk of
loss of your principal (invested amount) and any profits that have not been realized. For
more detailed information regarding the risks of investing in each private fund managed by
Doliver, please refer to and review the respective private fund’s offering memorandum and
partnership agreement.
VII. RISK OF LOSS:
All investments in securities include a risk of loss of your principal which clients should
be prepared to bear. Investment risk may affect a single issuer, industry, or section of the
economy, or it may affect the market as a whole. During a general downturn in the
financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value.
Some closed-end fund securities have the ability, subject to regulatory limits, to use
leverage as part of their investment strategy. The use of leverage allows a closed-end
fund to raise additional capital, which it can use to purchase more assets for its portfolio.
The use of leverage by a closed-end fund can allow it to achieve higher long-term returns,
but also increases the likelihood of share price volatility and market risk.
Where appropriate, some wealth management clients may hold relatively small, short
positions. Because a potential loss in a short position arises from increases in the value of
the assets sold short, the extent of such loss, like the price of the assets sold short, is
theoretically unlimited. Short sales are speculative positions, and in a rising market,
short positions will underperform the overall market and its peers that do not engage in
shorting. Accounts that permit short selling are exposed to leverage risk. Selling
securities short is a form of leverage.
The use of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of
an account’s holdings and make any change in an account’s investment performance
greater than it would be without the use of leverage. This could result in increased
volatility of investment returns.
Options trading may also be utilized for clients where deemed appropriate. An option is a
type of derivative that depends largely on the value of an underlying security. The use of
derivatives may include other risks including counterparty, leverage, and liquidity risks.
An adverse change in the value of the underlying asset could result in a loss that is
substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative.
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A margin account allows for borrowing of securities held and pledging them as collateral
against new positions. Margin accounts have the potential to either magnify profits or
magnify losses. Due to the use of borrowing, margin accounts incur interest charges.
When using margin and the related securities decline in value, the broker may issue a
margin call and/or sell other assets in the account.
The use of sub-advisors presents oversight risk by not having on-going direct supervision
of the sub-advisors’ firm and investment strategy used. Doliver performs periodic due
diligence on sub-advisors to mitigate this risk.
As past global and domestic economic events have indicated, performance of any
investment is not guaranteed. As a result, there is a risk of loss of the assets we manage
that may be out of our control. We will do our very best in the management of your assets;
however, we cannot guarantee any level of performance or that you will not experience
a loss of your account assets.
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
We do not have any legal, financial or other “disciplinary” item to report to you. We are
obligated to disclose any disciplinary event that would be material to you when evaluating
us.
This statement applies to our firm and every employee.
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Doliver is a commodity trading advisor (CTA) registered with the National Futures
Association (NFA).
Ralph McBride, the co-founder and owner of the firm, serves as Of Counsel for The Lanier
Law Firm. He also holds a small ownership position in CAZ Investments. Doliver may
recommend private equity investments, including CAZ Private Equity Funds, for clients
requesting exposure to private equity. His involvement with the law firm does not present
a conflict of interest. His involvement with CAZ Investments presents a conflict of interest
that is disclosed to our clients such that they are able to make an informed decision if they
choose to proceed with the investment.
We will recommend other advisors as sub-advisors where appropriate. For clients
entering sub-advisory relationships, whereby Doliver has authority to hire a sub-advisor,
the total amount of fees paid by Clients (including both the sub-advisor’s and Doliver’s fee)
will not be more than the advisory fee which that Client would have paid to Doliver for its
advisory services absent the sub-advisory relationship.
Doliver is the managing partner of: Doliver Private Opportunity Fund I LP; Doliver Private
Opportunity Fund II LP; Doliver Private Opportunity Fund III LP; and Doliver Income Fund
I LLC. The private equity funds include investments through other financial professionals
and private equity funds. The relationships include an investment with a multi-family
residence whose general partners include a brother of Scott Jackson, Doliver’s Head of
Wealth Management.
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Doliver is the managing partner of Doliver Maple Fund LLC, Doliver Tempo Fund LLC,
Doliver Private Royalty Fund I LLC, Doliver Build to Suit I LLC, and Doliver APP Equity SPV
LLC. These are special purpose vehicles (SPV’s) created for the purpose of investing in a
specific opportunity through other financial professionals.
Ralph McBride, the Principal and CEO of Doliver Advisors, may make investments in
private equity opportunities alongside or separate from clients. In some instances, he may
have a GP or other ownership stake. These conflicts of interest will be disclosed to clients
prior to or during the signing of subscription documents.
Rasool Shaik, the portfolio manager for Doliver’s Microcap strategy, is the founder,
Managing Principal, and Chief Compliance Officer at EMC Capital Management LLC where
he provides investment services and products to his clients.
Christopher Day, the portfolio manager for Doliver’s Absolute Return strategy, is the
founder and CEO at Days Global Advisors LLC where he provides investment services to
his clients.
Kenneth Burke, the portfolio manager for Doliver’s Focused Growth strategy, is the
founder & CIO at Burke Wealth Management LLC where he provides investment services
to his clients.
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN
CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL TRADING
Doliver has adopted a Code of Ethics (Code) that governs a number of potential conflicts
of interest that can arise when providing our advisory services to you. This Code is
designed to ensure we meet our fiduciary obligation to you, our client (or prospective
client), and to institute a culture of compliance within our firm.
Our Code is designed to detect and prevent violations of securities laws, including our
obligations to you as our client. Our Code is comprehensive, and each employee must
certify to receiving, reading, and complying with the Code at the time of hire, and annually
thereafter. We also supplement the Code with annual training and on-going monitoring of
employee activity.
Doliver employees may from time-to-time purchase or sell for their own personal
accounts financial instruments that are purchased, sold, or recommended on behalf of
Clients’ accounts. Doliver employees may also take investment positions in their personal
accounts that are different from, or contrary to, those taken by client accounts.
The personal trading activities of Doliver employees may raise various actual and
potential conflicts of interest. The Firm has implemented various compliance personal
trading policies and procedures, including trading restrictions or limitations, reporting
policies, and employee training, in an attempt to reduce, mitigate or address any such
actual or potential conflicts of interest. For example, all employees are required to obtain
the prior written consent from the Chief Compliance Officer or his delegate before buying
or selling any “reportable security.”
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As discussed in Item 10, Ralph McBride owns an ownership interest in CAZ Investments
which presents a conflict of interest. Please see Item 10 for more information.
We provide our Code of Ethics to our clients upon request. You may request a complete
copy of our Code by contacting ou r Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) at 713-917-0022 or
rrourke@doliveradvisors.com.
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Doliver has arrangements with several independent and unaffiliated broker-dealers to
serve as custodians for our clients’ accounts. Factors that Doliver considers in
recommending custodians include historical relationship with Doliver, financial strength,
reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, quality of recordkeeping, and client service. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but
whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into
consideration the full range of a broker- dealer’s services, including execution capability,
commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Doliver seeks competitive
rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for client
account transactions.
As part of these arrangements, custodians also make certain research and brokerage
services available at no additional cost to our firm, however there are no formal soft-
dollar relationships. Research products and services provided by these custodians to our
firm may include research reports on recommendations or other information about
particular companies or industries; economic surveys, data and analyses; and other
financial publications. The aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by
our firm as part of our investment research. By the use of multiple custodians, certain
clients’ trades will benefit other clients not using the same custodian. Doliver uses the
research and services provided by the custodians for the benefit of all clients regardless
of which custodian is used. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to
purchase the same or similar services at our own expense.
As a result of receiving these types of services at no additional cost, we may have an
incentive to select or recommend a custodian in order to receive these types of services
rather than on our clients’ interest in receiving most favorable execution. As mentioned
previously, there are several factors that are considered when entering into relationships
with a custodian and research services is not a factor considered.
Doliver does not cause clients to pay commissions higher than those charged by other
broker- dealers in return for soft dollar benefits. Also, Doliver does not direct client
transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar benefits.
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During the normal course of trading, the Advisor may aggregate orders (also known as
bunched orders or block trades), which is a common method of executing orders when
the intent is to buy or sell the same security for multiple clients. Aggregating trades for
multiple clients may result in more favorable execution prices and/or commission rates.
Doliver has implemented a trading policy for handling the aggregation and allocation of
trades in the most fair and consistent manner for our clients.
At this time, Doliver does not allow clients to direct brokerage.
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
NATURE & FREQUENCY OF REVIEW
I.
Account reviews are conducted on an on-going basis by Doliver’s Portfolio Managers and/or
the Chief Operating Officer. The nature of these reviews is to make sure the accounts are
consistent with the client’s investment objectives and information provided by the client.
The reviews are conducted at least annually for each strategy.
QUARTERLY REPORTS
II.
Doliver provides a written quarterly report to each client which includes account balance,
activity, and fees due. Clients are encouraged to compare these reports to the statements
provided by their custodians.
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
For clients that are introduced to Doliver by either an affiliated or an unaffiliated solicitor,
Doliver pays that solicitor a referral fee in accordance with the requirements of Rule
206(4)-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Rule 206(4)-3”). Any such referral fee
shall be paid solely from the investment management fee and shall not result in any
additional charge to the client. Doliver also receives referral fees for clients introduced by
Doliver to other Registered Investment Advisors in accordance with Rule 206(4)-3.
Referral fees are negotiated on a case-by-case basis and documented in a written
agreement. The Solicitor is required to provide the prospective client with a copy of our
Firm Brochure and a Solicitor’s Disclosure Statement. Referral arrangements are entered
into in accordance with Rule 206(4)-3.
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY
Doliver is deemed to have limited custody of client assets due to our ability to deduct
management fees, in accordance with the advisory agreement, directly from client
accounts. Clients receive account statements monthly or quarterly from the broker dealer,
bank, or other qualified custodian that holds and maintains the client’s portfolio of
investment assets. Doliver urges clients to carefully review such statements and compare
custodial statements to the account reports provided by Doliver. Account balances on
Doliver reports may differ from the custodian’s statement for several reasons including
but not limited to different price sources, accrued interest or dividends receivable may be
included or excluded, or unsettled trades.
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Doliver is deemed to have custody of the Doliver Private Opportunity Fund I LP, Doliver
Private Opportunity Fund II LP, Doliver Private Opportunity Fund III LP, Doliver Income
Fund I LLC, Doliver Maple Fund LLC, Doliver Tempo Fund LLC, Doliver Private Royalty
Fund I LLC, Doliver Build to Suit I LLC, and Doliver APP Equity LLC assets. As such, we
perform annual audits in accordance with SEC guidelines.
Doliver does not custody 401k ERISA assets.
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Doliver receives discretionary authority from the client as part of the investment advisory
agreement and the custodian’s account opening documents. Such discretion is to be
exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment objectives for the particular
client account. Clients may request restrictions on certain securities they do not want to
own.
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
The client has and retains the sole power to vote all securities in the client's accounts. As
a matter of firm policy and procedure, Doliver does not have any authority to vote proxies
on behalf of advisory clients.
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Registered investment advisers are required in this item to provide you with certain
financial information or disclosures about our financial condition. We have no financial
commitment that impairs our ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to
clients and have not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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