The Parametric Story
In 1987, with backing from Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, Parametric opened its doors. Initially focused on the institutional investment world, Parametric broadened its business and investment scope in 1992 with a custom portfolio for a private family office.
The 1990s brought considerable attention to, and innovation in, the areas of structured portfolios, tax-efficiency, and client customization. Parametric grew as it extended products into the areas of non-U.S. portfolios, emerging markets, and overlay management for retail separately managed account programs.
During this time, our client list expanded to include institutions, family offices, financial advisors, and significant financial intermediaries.
In 2001, with funding and support from a Seattle private equity firm, Parametric’s management team organized a buy-out of the firm from PIMCO Advisors, its institutional owner. In 2003, Eaton Vance became a majority shareholder and strategic partner. With Eaton Vance on board, Parametric increased its ability to innovate and serve clients and their advisors.
Under the guidance of Brian Langstraat, Chief Executive Officer (joined 1990), and David Stein, PhD, Chief Investment Officer (joined 1996), Parametric is focused, energetic, and committed − both to its clients and to its spirit of innovation.
The Parametric Difference
At Parametric you won’t find market pundits or star stock pickers. But you will find creative, thoughtful people who build and apply advanced technology to help achieve investment goals. A Parametric investment solution is typically based on rigorous research, a good helping of math, powerful computers, and proprietary software.
We’re not a startup. No one should have to be the guinea pig. And while experimentation might be good for some things, chances are it’s not with you or your client’s assets.
We’re not a behemoth. Large institutions can offer a lot of products to a lot of people. And yet, they often struggle with depth and focus − and do not offer a truly specialized level of service and knowledge.
We think we’ve found the right mix of size and hunger − of stability and entrepreneurship. So often in business, you have to choose between a stable industry leader and the dynamic innovator. Parametric brings you both in one partner.
Poised for the Future
Achieving investment success requires the right mix of creativity, experience − and dogged persistence. That is the spirit of Parametric. Since its founding, the company has persisted − with ideas and knowledge − on behalf of its clients. Not only when it was easy to do so, but more importantly, during periods of greater turbulence and uncertainty.
During over 20 years, Parametric has witnessed almost every possible market condition. Crashes, bull markets, bear markets, bubbles, recessions, expansions, and a variety of tax regimes. We’ve seen numerous client situations and responded with unique solutions. We’ve extended our base ideas into varied arenas, including non-U.S., and emerging markets. And we’ve innovated new applications, including tax-efficiency, overlay management, and the integration of options. At every turn we saw change not as an end but as a means.
What will the future hold? No one knows for sure. The only certainty is that it will demand experience, creativity, and focus − and the persistent hard work of a trusted partner.
