Wealth Management for a Financially Independent Life
At Equilibrium Wealth Advisors (EWA), we understand that an excellent financial plan equips you to live your life by design. We define this as living stress-free now and looking back with no regrets later. With offices based in Pittsburgh, we serve clients both locally and across the U.S. Contact us at (412) 991-1385 or request an appointment now.
Our Approach to Wealth Management
01
Direct Indexing
In this investment strategy, you own the individual stocks that make up an index, rather than mutual funds, for example. Direct indexing offers several benefits. It allows greater control over your portfolio, offers enhanced tax efficiency through tax-loss harvesting opportunities, and allows you to customize your investments to align with your personal values.
Watch Video: What is Direct Indexing?
02
Asset Allocation & Diversification
It’s important to understand that the foundation of results is allocation and diversification, not stock picking. That’s why we construct portfolios from a variety of sources:
- U.S. large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies
- International developed and emerging markets
- Real estate and fixed income
Within each allocation, diversification ensures you’re not relying on the returns of only a single company or sector.
Watch Video: Our Investment Philosophy
03
We Manage Portfolios at the Household Level, Not Account by Account
- Investments are placed in the most tax-efficient accounts.
- The overall portfolio is optimized for after-tax returns.
- Both of these tactics eliminate duplication or inefficiency.
04
Our Process Is Tactical, Disciplined & Fiduciary Driven
Client Story: Managing Concentrated Stock Risk With Direct Indexing
Owning company stock is a desired perk for many employees. You may not realize that it also comes with some risks. EWA can address those to put you on a firm financial footing.
A client came to us with a common but challenging situation: Nearly 70% of their net worth was tied up in their company’s stock. The business was successful, but the concentration created significant risk. If the stock dropped, their entire financial plan would be at stake.
Instead of rushing to sell shares and triggering large tax bills, we built a direct indexing strategy around their holdings. We held onto the company stock but surrounded it with a carefully diversified portfolio across U.S. large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap equities, as well as international and fixed-income investments.
This structure allowed us to lower the client’s overall portfolio risk by balancing their concentrated position with other sectors and asset classes.
We were also able to put them in a financially stronger position by
- harvesting tax losses in the surrounding direct indexing portfolio to offset gains from any future stock sales;
- maintaining upside participation in their company stock, while ensuring the rest of their financial plan wasn’t dependent on a single ticker symbol; and
- strategically unwinding the position over time, creating liquidity in a tax-efficient way.
The Result
Your Financial Sweet Spot
- Time and Money
- Risk and Return
- Living Today vs. Securing Tomorrow
Is Our Wealth Management Approach the Right Fit for You?
- We serve high-net-worth individuals and families with $1 million or more in investable assets.
- We have particular expertise supporting households in the $10–$100 million range who face complex financial structures, liquidity events, and multi-generational dynamics.
- We do not offer standalone tax preparation or insurance services. Our advisory fee fully integrates all of our services: