Featured entries from our Journal

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.

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.

 

Closing Out 2025: Finishing What You Started

Finish Line Image

As the final months of 2025 come into view, it’s natural to revisit the goals you set back in January. The year often speeds up this time of year—with family, travel, and commitments pulling in different directions—making it even more valuable to pause and check in.

Did you commit to saving more, refining your estate plan, or establishing a charitable giving strategy? Maybe you wanted to align your spending with what matters most. Wherever you stand, this is a good time to take stock and finish the year with focus.

At Hill Investment Group, we believe meaningful progress comes less from grand gestures and more from steady, intentional steps. Goals left unattended can linger and create stress. Addressing them now, even in small ways, can bring clarity and momentum into the new year.

Here are a few areas to consider before year-end:

Financial Planning

Revisit your plan to confirm it reflects your current stage of life and any significant changes since January—such as retirement, the birth of a child or grandchild, or an inheritance. Even small adjustments, like reviewing account allocations or rebalancing, can help keep your plan aligned with your long-term objectives.

Estate Planning

An up-to-date will, trust, or power of attorney helps ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for. If your documents are out of date, this may be a good time to refresh them. We’re glad to coordinate with your legal team as part of your broader planning process.

Charitable Giving

Year-end is often a time when families think about giving. Tools such as donor-advised funds or direct contributions can help support the causes you value. Depending on your circumstances, certain strategies may also provide tax advantages.

Saving More

If your income allows, consider reviewing contributions to retirement accounts before year-end, especially if you have a company match in a 401(k) or access to a Roth IRA. Even incremental increases may help keep you on track toward your long-term savings goals.

Moving Forward

Finishing your 2025 goals isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Each thoughtful step you take builds confidence and strengthens your foundation for the years ahead.

If you find your goals overwhelming, or you’re unsure where to start, remember: you don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to help you simplify, focus, and take the long view.

You’re invited to email the team here.

 



Disclaimer:
Hill Investment Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Please consult with your tax and legal professionals regarding your specific circumstances.

Signal vs. Noise: Are Structured Notes Too Good to Be True?

Signal Graphic

Welcome to the age of the “finfluencer.” Some voices bring real experience, many optimize for clicks, not your interests. At Hill Investment Group, we believe good advice should be simple, clear, and grounded in evidence, not hype. This new series examines popular claims circulating online or in print, and separates signal from noise.

We aim to inform, not entertain; substance over speculation.

Heard something at work, on the course, or on social media that has you wondering, “Should I pay attention to this?” Share it with us at zenz@hillinvestmentgroup.com. We will help unpack it. Submissions are confidential. With your permission, we may quote an anonymized version in a future post.

Please note: Submissions are reviewed for educational purposes only and do not constitute personalized investment advice.


This month, I’ve chosen to focus on structured notes because the chatter around them has become especially loud. I get daily emails from people trying to sell them, and they’ve become a hot topic on podcasts.
What Is a Structured Note?

Structured notes—sometimes called structured or derivative products—are contracts issued by banks or financial institutions. Their performance depends on how certain markets behave, but with specific features built in.

For example, a note may be linked to the S&P 500, offering returns up to a maximum (say 9%) while limiting downside risk. If the market declines, you might receive your principal back. If the market rises, your return is capped at the maximum.

These products typically combine bonds with options. The bond portion provides stability or income, while the options alter the return profile with added features such as caps, buffers, or payouts tied to specific outcomes. Importantly, they do not create new investment opportunities; they repackage existing securities in different ways.

How Banks Make Money

Structured products are often designed and priced by the issuing institution. A simple illustration:

  1. Package bonds and options that may be worth slightly less than the purchase price.
  2. Market the package in a way that addresses an investor’s concerns (for example, fear of loss or desire for enhanced returns).
  3. Sell it at a markup.

The difference, though it may look small, represents revenue for the bank. Like insurance, protection, or enhancement features come at a cost, which is reflected in the structure’s design and pricing.

Tradeoffs to Consider

Structured notes are not “free.” For every feature that reduces downside risk, there is typically a tradeoff in the form of reduced upside potential. For example, capping gains in strong years may limit long-term growth.

Other considerations can include:

  • Complexity: The payoff formulas are often difficult to evaluate without specialized knowledge.
  • Liquidity: Notes may be hard to sell before maturity.
  • Taxes: Some structures can create less favorable tax treatment.
  • Transparency: It may be difficult to fully assess all costs and risks.

These factors mean that outcomes may differ significantly from expectations, and actual results depend on market conditions and the structure itself.

An Evidence-Based Alternative

At Hill Investment Group, our philosophy is that portfolios should be built around a client’s unique risk profile using tools that are transparent and cost-efficient. Instead of relying on complex products, we focus on combining equities and high-quality fixed income in a way that is diversified, tax-aware, and grounded in decades of academic research.

This approach does not promise to eliminate risk or guarantee returns. Rather, it seeks to create a risk/return balance that clients can understand and commit to over the long term.

The Bottom Line

Structured notes can sound appealing because they are often presented as solving two problems at once, offering upside with protection on the downside. In practice, they involve tradeoffs that should be carefully weighed. For many investors, a straightforward evidence-based portfolio may provide more transparency and better alignment with long-term goals.


Disclaimer:
Hill Investment Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser. This material is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. References to structured notes or other investment products are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of outcomes. Please consult your financial, tax, and legal advisors regarding your individual circumstances.
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Featured entries from our Journal

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.

Hill Investment Group