Team

Al Besse

Principal

Al is a founder and portfolio manager for the firm, and serves as Logan Capital’s President. As a member of the growth equity investment team he is responsible for the firm’s technical analysis effort. Prior to joining Logan Capital, Al was a Vice President at First Fidelity Bank serving as co-manager of the Charitable Equity Fund. During his decade at the bank, he played a key role in the formation and development of First Fidelity’s $2 billion Institutional Funds Management Group. In 1991 he was named as the bank’s Institutional Investment Professional of the Year. Al is a graduate of Haverford College (BA) and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA).

Stephen Lee

Principal

Stephen is a founder, portfolio manager and a member of the growth equity investment team for the firm. He graduated Lehigh University with a B.S. in accounting. Before co-founding Logan Capital with his partners in 1993, Stephen was previously employed at Mercer Capital Management and Merrill Lynch. His involvement in the community includes serving on several Investment Committees and Foundation Boards.

Dana Stewardson

Principal

Dana is a founder, portfolio manager and a member of the growth equity investment team for the firm. Prior to co-founding Logan Capital, he was a portfolio manager with Mercer Capital Management, Edward C. Rorer & Co. and Kidder, Peabody & Co. He serves on the board of The Harriton Association, Bryn Mawr, the investment committee of The Wyck Association, Philadelphia, is a former Parent Director of Trinity College and a past Chair of the Parents Council of The University of Pennsylvania. Dana is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University (BA) and is a member of The Financial Analysts of Philadelphia.

Process

Macro Economic View

Early through Insight

  • Trends in real GDP growth
  • Short- and long-term interest rates and yield curve
  • Inflation
  • Fed actions
  • Productivity gains and corporate cash flow

Results: Predisposition to themes and/or sectors

Fundamental Assessment

A great stock has Wall Street’s attention

  • Logan Ranking Algorithm methodically detects upward revisions in earnings growth
  • Rank ~1000 stocks
  • Focus: Top ~200 are ‘Buy’ candidates only if:
    • Fit with our macro view
    • Survive in-depth analysis
    • Have rising earnings tied to pricing power

Technical Profile

Remain sensitive to what the market is telling us

  • Buy decisions: Technical profile must confirm long-term underlying strength
  • Sell/Hold decisions: Use technical indications to confirm a change in our macro view or fundamental assessment
  • Can be an early indicator—causes us to check our work