Kerns Capital Management, Inc. (Houston)


Kerns Capital Management, Inc. is a large advisory firm based in Houston. It manages $194.14 million of regulatory assets for 116 client accounts. It has been registered with the SEC as an adviser since 2009 and has operated in the jurisdiction of Texas.

Kerns Capital Management provides portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for investment companies, portfolio management for pooled investment vehicles, pension consulting services, and publication of newsletters. It doesn't provide financial planning services to its clients. On top of advisory services, the firm doesn't engage in other business activities.

Kerns Capital Management: assets under management

The assets under management (AUM) of Kerns Capital Management, Inc. is $194.14 million, all of which is managed in discretionary accounts. The firm's AUM has grown by 64% since the beginning of its operation, and the company doesn't manage any assets belonging to foreign clients.

The firm manages $194.14 million in discretionary accounts. On average, the discretionary accounts where all decisions are made on behalf of the client hold $1.67 million each.
Kerns Capital Management has custody of $52.67 million in cash and securities for 86 clients in total but doesn’t act as a qualified custodian.

Investments

The firm invests in investment and business development companies the most. They account for 98% of the total AUM. The second-largest asset type is cash and cash equivalents, which make up 2% of the firm’s portfolio.

Fees & Commissions

The advisory firm has several streams of revenue. Clients pay Kerns Capital Management, Inc. for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management and performance-based fees. Compensation based on assets under management promotes a long-term relationship between a client and the adviser and helps align mutual interests. These fees don’t include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and other account expenses.

What kind of clients Martin Lane Kerns serves?

The firm provides services to individuals, investment companies, high net worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles, and pension and profit sharing plans. The largest group of clients of Martin Lane Kerns is investment companies with 1 clients and $79.38 million of assets under management. Among the 9 most similar advisory firms, Kerns Capital Management has the 3rd highest percentage of investment companies out of all clients.

The amount of regulatory assets under management is $194.14 million for 116 clients that can include trusts, estates, and 401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members. None of the firm’s clients are foreign persons or businesses.

Kerns Capital Management also advises several private funds. Namely, one hedge fund. The minimum investment commitment required of non-related persons is $500,000 for each fund.

Careers at Kerns Capital Management, Inc.

The company employs 4 people that are either part- or full-time employees. 50 percent of the employees work as investment advisers or researchers. 2 employees are registered as investment adviser representatives with the state securities authorities.

There’s a single person with the role of looking for and bringing in new clients on behalf of the firm. The firm doesn’t compensate employees in addition to the salary for bringing in new clients. Employees don’t receive compensation from other entities for client referrals.

Direct owners and executive officers


Name Entity Date acquired Ownership Employer ID
Martin Lane Kerns President 1 Jan 1994 75% - 100% 268401
Martin Lane Kerns Vice president/chief compliance officer 1 May 2007 Other 5437017
Martin Lane Kerns Ceo, president, chief compliance officer 1 Jul 2012 75% - 100% 5437017

Based in Houston

The principal office where Kerns Capital Management, Inc. performs its advisory services is located at 9821 Katy Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77024 1212, which is also the mailing address of the firm. It doesn’t run an office outside of the United States.

You can reach the main office by calling the phone number 713-993-0949 or by fax 713-993-0950. The normal business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm on Monday - Friday. You can find more information about the New York firm at kernscapital.com.