Details Are Part of Our Difference
David Booth on How to Choose an Advisor
20 Years. 20 Lessons. Still Taking the Long View.
Making the Short List: Citywire Highlights Our Research-Driven Approach
The Tax Law Changed. Our Approach Hasn’t.
Category: HIG News
The Longview Advantage ETF: Your Fund, Built for the Long View
We created the Longview Advantage ETF (EBI) to give our clients the best of evidence-based investing at the lowest possible cost. In this update, Matt Hall and Matt Zenz share how it’s working.
TRANSCRIPT
Matt Hall:
Okay, I told you we’re gonna do more videos. We’re doing another video. I’m here with Matt Zenz, CIO of Hill Investment Group, and the architect of our ETF. We thought it might be fun for you and important to just know a little bit more about the Longview Advantage, ETF. And Matt, one of the things that we’re really proud of that we haven’t communicated maybe to our audience is the Longview Advantage.
ETF symbol EBI is getting a lot of attention. What should our clients know about it? What’s the most important thing they should understand?
Matt Zenz:
Yeah, I think there’s kind of two different ways to look at this. The first is, as an evidence-based investor, which we all are, all of our clients are, is that you win because this is designed better. We combined all of the most compelling ideas across the evidence-based community into one fund. And then we’re implementing it without compromise. Because we’re smaller, which we all are, all of our clients are, is that you win because this is designed better. We combined all of the most compelling ideas across the evidence-based community into one fund. And then we’re implementing it without compromise.
Because we’re smaller, because we’re more nimble, we’re able to more effectively go after what the evidence says. You’re able to pick up the pennies, and that means wins means higher returns for you as a client, but then also as a client of Hill Investment Group, you get to win again because you get this strategy at cost. We don’t charge our clients for it. So that means we run it at the lowest possible cost to our end clients. Our clients save about a half a million dollars a year in fees because they’re, because they aren’t paying what they were paying before some of the other managers. And so you get to win both on the structure of the fund and also the cost of the fund.
Matt Hall:
Yeah. Well that’s obviously a home run. And how has it performed since February? Since it launched?
Matt Zenz:
It performed exactly as it was designed, on par with what we would expect based on how we designed the strategy.
We want to emphasize smaller, deeper value, more profitable companies. We’ve been able to do that as a structure, and the performance has been exactly in line with what you would expect for that type of portfolio.
Matt Hall:
Awesome. Well, thanks for sharing that. To all of our clients, thank you for your support. We’ve had unbelievable confidence in the strategy and just wanted to share this update with you. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Introducing Griffin Lewis
We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Griffin Lewis, a proud University of Texas graduate (like two of his teammates here at HIG). In the past, we prioritized hiring by location. Today, we focus on finding the best possible person for the role: people whose values match our own. That’s true across the board, from full-time team members to interns. Though we differ in many ways, the qualities we share—being old souls, a connection to the outdoors, joy in serving others, and a deep commitment to our craft—make us, in short, a team of caring nerds.
Griffin embodies these traits fully. You will see him jumping in wherever he’s needed—whether that’s supporting service, trading, or operations—so that you experience seamless care from our entire team. His “utility player” mindset means he’s always looking for ways to make your life easier.
Shaped by a family that taught him resilience, inspired by a sister who set a high bar early on, and sharpened by experiences as both a behind-the-scenes problem solver and a door-knocking entrepreneur, Griffin brings both grit and heart to our work. Outside the office, you’ll likely find him logging long runs or cycling laps around Lady Bird Lake, or chasing down sunrises and spontaneous adventures.
We’re thrilled for you to get to know him. Are you a “caring nerd?” or do you know one? Check out our career opportunities here.
Living the Long View
Coming back from maternity leave after welcoming our daughter this spring has reminded me of what our work at Hill is really about: helping clients use their money as a tool to build lives rich in meaning, not just numbers.
Whether you’re navigating new parenthood, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, the core questions often remain the same: What matters most? And how can your money support that?
Here are a few reflections that have stayed with me through this milestone.
Time Is Our Most Limited Asset
This season has made it clear: time is precious. As the saying goes, the days are long, but the weeks are short. At Hill, we encourage clients to think of time like any other resource, i.e., something to be used intentionally.
Having a baby sharpened my awareness of how valuable time with all generations can be. We’ve prioritized visits and calls with our parents and grandparents, including Merrill. One visual we often share is Tim Urban’s “Your Life in Weeks,” which maps the average lifespan as a grid of boxes, each one a week. Sam Harris captures the feeling well: “It always is later than you think.”
Experiences That Leave a Lasting Impact
One book that’s prompted meaningful reflection is Die With Zero, which invites readers to think intentionally about how they use time, money, and attention. One key idea is the “memory dividend,” that experiences created now continue to bring joy over time.
During our first family trip with Merrill, we bought matching tracksuits for three generations (thankfully not pictured on the cover of this post!). The laughter that moment created has become part of our family story, which is something we’ll carry forward.
When you “eventize” small moments, making them playful, meaningful, or tradition-worthy, you create experiences that stay with you long after the money is spent.
Freedom Through Planning
Taking the Long View isn’t about deferring joy. It’s about aligning today’s choices with your long-term values. For our family, that included investing in a high-quality caregiver–not only to support our daughter’s development, but to give both Walter and me the capacity to continue doing meaningful work. This single decision had ripple effects across our financial plan and peace of mind.
In our experience, thoughtful planning doesn’t restrict you. Instead it creates more space for the things that matter.
The Time to Act Is Now
Watching our daughter grow has been a reminder that certain windows of opportunity are fleeting. Whether it’s a trip you’ve been considering, a gift you’ve meant to give, or simply time with someone you care about, the moment to act may be now.
At Hill, we aim to help you simplify, clarify, and align your financial life so it supports the life you want to live. With a new rhythm, a deeper commitment to this work, and a fresh perspective, I’m more convinced than ever: the best investments are the ones that help us be present, generous, and fully alive.
