The Pillars of Succesful Investing: Why We Partner with Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard

The fundamental building blocks of successful investing never change: cost, discipline, and structure. That's why at Ark Royal Wealth Management, we build investment portfolios using primarily Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and Vanguard investment solutions—two firms recently recognized in Morningstar's 2025 Fund Family 150 Digest for their leadership and innovation.

Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA): Applying Academic Science to Investment Management

Our affiliation with DFA goes back nearly 25 years. DFA is recognized for its sophisticated yet disciplined approach to portfolio construction. It is the leader in applying innovations in academic finance into real-world investment strategies.Morningstar highlights DFA's recent success in converting mutual funds to ETFs and securing SEC approval to offer ETF share classes. This is a significant development that we expect to help our clients who have held DFA mutual funds for many years by potentially offering new levels of tax efficiency and flexibility.

Vanguard: The Cornerstone of Low-Cost Indexing

Vanguard is well known for its index-focused investment offering and now manages nearly half of all index assets in the U.S. fund industry.Morningstar credits Vanguard's enduring focus on low fees and high-quality core building blocks—qualities that make it a cornerstone of our clients’ portfolios, particularly for those transitioning into retirement. Vanguard’s dedication to keeping costs minimal aligns perfectly with our client-first, fiduciary approach.

What This Means for Our Clients

As fee-only fiduciaries, we believe in building client portfolios with investment partners who combine strong governance, a focus on putting the client first, and long-term vision. DFA and Vanguard exemplify that commitment.They’re not chasing fads; they’re building investment portfolios rooted in market-tested principles that put the odds of long-term success in your favor. By focusing on cost-effective, scientifically structured investments, we help our clients keep more of what they earn and navigate their financial future with confidence.

Are You Heading Into Retirement? Align Your Portfolio with a Long-Term Strategy

If you’re in or near retirement and are unsure how to best transition from living on a paycheck to living off your retirement funds, now is the time to create a sustainable, flexible financial plan. We can help you design a plan that works in concert with a well-designed, low-cost investment strategy built on the trusted foundations of DFA and Vanguard. We invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how we can help you make smart decisions about money.