Bridges Investment Management is a leading boutique investment management firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1983, the firm has over 40 years of investment experience and currently manages over $8 billion in assets. Bridges takes a long-term, valuation-driven approach to investing and aims to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for clients. The firm serves a diverse client base including high net worth individuals, families, foundations, endowments and retirement plans. Bridges is best known for its equity investment strategies but also offers balanced and fixed income strategies. The firm is employee-owned and has a stable, experienced team of portfolio managers and analysts. Bridges’ investment philosophy incorporates principles from legendary investors like Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham. The firm looks for high-quality businesses with durable competitive advantages and proven track records of growth and profitability. Portfolio managers conduct rigorous fundamental analysis to determine a company’s intrinsic value. Bridges constructs focused, concentrated portfolios of 25-35 securities and patiently holds positions over a long time horizon. The firm has a strong track record of outperformance over multiple decades. Bridges is recognized as a leading boutique investment manager and has frequently been featured in top publications like Barron’s and Institutional Investor. The firm provides clients with personalized attention and aims to build long-term partnerships based on shared values. Bridges’ independent structure allows portfolio managers to focus solely on investing without distractions. The firm offers a prudent approach to wealth management suitable for conservative, risk-averse investors. With its expertise, consistency and integrity, Bridges Investment Management remains a trusted partner for institutions and individuals seeking superior long-term returns.
Bridges takes a valuation-based, fundamental approach to stock selection
Bridges employs a long-term, valuation-driven investment approach centered on identifying high-quality businesses trading at discounts to intrinsic value. The firm’s philosophy is heavily influenced by acclaimed investors like Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham who pioneered value investing principles. Portfolio managers conduct rigorous bottom-up analysis on each potential investment to determine its quality as a business and long-term growth potential. Bridges looks for companies with durable competitive advantages, strong free cash flow generation, little debt, and high returns on capital. Management strength and corporate culture are also important considerations. The firm favors simple, easy-to-understand businesses with predictable revenues and earnings. Bridges constructs concentrated portfolios of 25-35 stocks and invests with a 3-5 year time horizon. Portfolio turnover is very low, typically 15-25% per year. Bridges sees market volatility and short-term price movements as an opportunity to buy shares of great companies at a discount. Overall, the firm seeks to minimize risk rather than maximize returns and avoids overpriced, speculative stocks.
The firm has a long history and strong track record of outperformance
Bridges Investment Management has over 40 years of investment experience managing client assets. The firm was founded in 1983 by Edson “Ted” Bridges II and Robert Bridges, two early proponents of value investing principles in the mold of Buffett and Graham. Leadership has passed successfully to the second generation as Edson Bridges III now serves as CEO and portfolio manager. Bridges remains a privately owned partnership and has maintained stability in its investment team over the decades. This consistency of people and process contributes to strong long-term performance. The firm manages over $8 billion in assets across its equity, balanced and fixed income strategies. Bridges’ flagship equity strategy has significantly outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 index, over the past 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 year periods. The strategy has compounded at 12.5% annually since inception in 1983 compared to 10.5% for the S&P 500 index. These results place Bridges among the top decile of large cap value managers. Bridges’ fixed income and balanced portfolios have also beaten their respective benchmarks over time. The firm’s long-term track record demonstrates its ability to successfully execute its value-driven approach across market environments.
Bridges serves high net worth and institutional clients
Bridges Investment Management provides customized investment management services to an elite client base that includes high net worth individuals, families, endowments, foundations and retirement plans. The firm is committed to building long-term partnerships with clients based on shared values like integrity, excellence and prudent risk management. Bridges manages portfolios according to each client’s unique objectives, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The minimum account size is $1 million but averages are higher. Clients value the firm’s personalized service, transparency and communication. Each client has a dedicated portfolio manager who serves as the main point of contact. Portfolio managers and analysts are accessible to clients and proactively address any questions or concerns. Bridges provides comprehensive reporting and performance attribution analysis. The firm hosts an annual shareholder meeting to review results and discuss the investment environment. Bridges’ boutique structure enables close client relationships but also provides extensive resources. The firm has grown steadily as its reputation for excellence has attracted new clients.
Bridges retains an independent, employee-owned structure
Bridges Investment Management operates as an independent, employee-owned firm. The company has resisted mergers or acquisitions that could jeopardize its investment autonomy or distract from serving clients. The executive team and investment professionals all maintain significant ownership stakes, ensuring alignment with client interests. Most employees spend their entire careers at Bridges, contributing to stability and consistency. However, the firm does not manage growth for growth’s sake. It closes strategies once capacity is reached, enabling portfolio managers to focus on existing client assets rather than accumulating new ones. Bridges also invests its own capital alongside clients to confirm alignment. The firm’s boutique structure provides nimbleness to opportunistically invest across the market cap spectrum from small caps to mega caps. As an SEC-registered investment advisor, Bridges has a fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests at all times. The firm places integrity above all else and builds trust through transparency. Bridges remains a private partnership and its investment team owns a controlling majority stake in the company.
Bridges offers a prudent approach suitable for conservative investors
Bridges Investment Management provides a prudent approach to wealth management appropriate for conservative, risk-averse investors. The firm utilizes high-conviction, concentrated portfolios rather than diversification to mitigate risk. Bridges constructs portfolios of companies that have withstood the test of time and demonstrated resiliency across market cycles. Its long investment horizon and low turnover also promote stability. The firm avoids overpriced growth stocks with unproven business models that could lead to permanent loss of capital. Bridges does not attempt to time the market or make interest rate bets. The firm also offers fixed income strategies for liability matching, income generation and stability. Bridges creates customized solutions tailored to each client’s financial objectives and risk preferences. The firm’s consistent philosophy and repeatable process have delivered superior risk-adjusted returns over decades. Bridges retains a personal, boutique approach to providing world-class investment management and service.
Bridges Investment Management is a leading boutique investment management firm with over 40 years of experience generating superior long-term returns for clients. The firm takes a valuation-driven, fundamental approach and invests for the long term in high-quality companies with durable advantages. Bridges has significantly outperformed market benchmarks over time thanks to its disciplined philosophy and alignment with clients. The firm retains an independent, employee-owned structure and serves elite high net worth and institutional investors who value Bridges’ prudent wealth management, integrity and transparency. For conservative, risk-averse investors, Bridges offers a time-tested approach to achieving investment success over decades.