About Me

A true student of the U.S. and global marketplace, David Morris has more than 40 years of investment and wealth advisory experience providing knowledgeable and personalized guidance to high-net-worth individuals and family offices, foundations, and trusts nationwide.  When meeting with a new client, he seeks to understand his or her unique investment objectives and risk tolerance, and develops comprehensive and highly customized asset allocations and long-term plans, for both retirement and multigenerational wealth transfer.

David begins by evaluating a client’s “emotional fortitude” to market volatility.  In other words: How well does each investor deal with market volatility and fluctuations?  This is a critical component for structuring a sound investment allocation and strategy.  There will always be market volatility.  That’s why it is important to have an appropriate long-term plan and allocation that reflects each client’s composure with regard to volatility.  It is part of the “risk tolerance” evaluation.  

David believes diversified investment plans should address a client’s financial needs and the aforementioned emotional fortitude in a manner that helps him or her withstand emotional trading temptations.  That is how he guides his clients to structure appropriate diversified portfolios designed for long-term investing.  It is part of establishing a sound investment strategy and mitigating risk.  

Once implemented, David’s wealth management process involves a high level of client communication and transparency, with periodic reviews with clients and rebalancing as markets and sectors change.  Having provided guidance to multiple generations of clients over four decades, he has seen firsthand the power of diversification and compounding as key factors in helping his clients pursue a successful financial future.

In addition to his investment planning and wealth advisory knowledge, David has extensive experience running directed share programs (DSPs) for company IPOs and has managed Rule 144 and concentrated stock position liquidations for corporations spanning a broad array of market and economic conditions.  He joined Stifel through its 2015 acquisition of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, Americas, and came to Barclays in 2008 as part of the organization’s acquisition of Lehman Brothers.  He has accumulated a deep knowledge of the trading markets, having previously traded as a retail institutional/high-net-worth advisor with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, prior to joining Lehman Brothers in 1988.  He began his career in the U.S. as a commodities and securities adviser with Bache Halsey Stuart & Shields in 1979.  

A native of Cape Town, South Africa, David has been active in his current hometown of Houston and has served on numerous civic boards, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Seven Acres Geriatric Center, the Emery/Weiner Jewish Day School, and others.  He has been married for 37 years and has two grown daughters.

Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.  Rebalancing may have tax consequences, which you should discuss with your tax advisor.