Discover the power of direct indexing

Download our education guide now to start your journey towards more efficient and personalized investment strategies

Download brochure

Direct indexing is not just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer in the world of wealth management, and we want to ensure you’re at the forefront. Whether you’re a seasoned investing professional or just beginning your journey, we offer a wealth of knowledge to confidently navigate the direct indexing landscape.

 


Direct Indexing short video series

Explore the power of Direct Indexing through our comprehensive video series. From the basics to advanced strategies, these videos are designed to help you understand how to harness the full potential of Direct Indexing to achieve your investment goals.

 

Introduction to Direct Indexing

Strategic Applications of Direct Indexing

Ready to explore direct indexing investment strategies?

PERSONALIZED MANAGED ACCOUNTS
The next level of customization in Separately Managed Accounts

 

direct indexing solutions

Download our PMA Direct Indexing Solutions overview
Our direct indexing solutions are carefully crafted to suit an investor's needs and provide the next level of customization in separately managed accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions for Direct Indexing

Direct Indexing is an investment strategy designed to replicate the market exposure of a specific index by holding a representative selection of the securities within that index. Separately Managed Accounts are a common structure used to implement Direct Indexing, providing investors with the ability to directly purchase and own individual securities. This approach gives a high level of customization tailored to each investor’s unique and specific investment needs, such as tax management, value-based considerations, and custom screens.

Personalized Indexing is frequently used interchangeably with Direct Indexing, which creates a portfolio with a representative selection of the securities in a given index in a separately managed account. Personalized Indexing, as well as Direct Indexing incorporates client-directed customization, such as tax management, Environmental, value-based considerations, and custom screens.

Direct Indexing can help solve investment challenges such as the need to manage taxes or the requirement to impose certain restrictions.

Direct Indexing in Separately Managed Accounts allows for more tax efficiency because investors can selectively harvest tax losses from individual securities, then use those tax losses to offset gains in other areas of their portfolio. In commingled product options, tax loss harvesting depends on overall market performance and the losses are owned by the fund or ETF.

Direct Indexing offers greater personalization compared to mutual funds and ETFs by allowing investors to directly own individual securities tailored to their specific investment preferences and goals.

Direct Indexing can allow investors to offset capital gains from selling a concentrated stock position with capital losses generated from other securities held in the portfolio, helping minimize the tax implications.

Investors may hold an emotional attachment to the stock or may face potential tax implications, as the original cost of the shares could be significantly lower than the current price, leading to a large capital gain and subsequent tax bill.

Direct Indexing’s ability to utilize individual losses on stocks not only helps manage current tax liabilities but may also provide the flexibility to offset future taxable events, such as the sale of a business, property, or stocks and bonds.

Planning for financial windfalls by utilizing Direct Index SMAs and generating tax losses over time helps the investor build tax “assets” that can be used in the future to offset the tax liability of the windfall. This could provide significant tax savings for the investor and potentially better overall outcomes.

The information, analyses and opinions set forth herein are intended to serve as general information only and should not be relied upon by any individual or entity as advice or recommendations specific to that individual entity. Anyone using this material should consult with their own attorney, accountant, financial or tax adviser or consultants on whom they rely for investment advice specific to their own circumstances.

Products and services described on this website are intended for United States residents only. Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. The general information contained on this website should not be acted upon without obtaining specific legal, tax, and investment advice from a licensed professional. Persons outside the United States may find more information about products and services available within their jurisdictions by going to Russell Investments' Worldwide site.

Russell Investments is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Russell Investments' ownership is composed of a majority stake held by funds managed by TA Associates Management, L.P., with a significant minority stake held by funds managed by Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Certain of Russell Investments' employees and Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC also hold minority, non-controlling, ownership stakes.

Frank Russell Company is the owner of the Russell trademarks contained in this material and all trademark rights related to the Russell trademarks, which the members of the Russell Investments group of companies are permitted to use under license from Frank Russell Company. The members of the Russell Investments group of companies are not affiliated in any manner with Frank Russell Company or any entity operating under the "FTSE RUSSELL" brand.

© Russell Investments Group, LLC. 1995-2025. All rights reserved. This material is proprietary and may not be reproduced, transferred, or distributed in any form without prior written permission from Russell Investments. It is delivered on an "as is" basis without warranty.