St. Louis has emerged as a hub for top investment firms over the years. With its central location and business-friendly environment, it has attracted many financial services companies. Understanding the major players in St. Louis can help investors find the right fit. This article will provide an overview of leading investment firms in St. Louis across asset classes like public equities, fixed income, real estate and more. It will also highlight their investment strategies, assets under management, and key contributions to the region’s economy.
Stifel’s Growth Into a Leading Regional Investment Bank
Stifel Financial Corp is one of the largest investment firms headquartered in St. Louis. Founded in 1890, it has grown into a leading middle-market investment bank with over $30 billion in client assets. Stifel offers services like investment banking, equity research, fixed income sales and trading. It expanded significantly after acquiring the U.S. capital markets business of RBC Capital Markets in 2012. Today, Stifel has over 350 offices globally and is a major underwriter for small and mid-cap public offerings.
Edward Jones’ Focus on Individual Investors
Edward Jones is a leading investment firm focused on individual investors. With its headquarters in Des Peres, it has over $1 trillion in client assets. Edward Jones is known for its neighborhood branch offices, over 16,000 financial advisors and long-term buy-and-hold investment philosophy. It offers products like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities and insurance to retail clients. Edward Jones has consistently ranked among the top firms on Fortune 500 and was named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Fortune.
Armstrong Teasdale’s Strength in Public Finance
Founded in 1901, Armstrong Teasdale is a major St. Louis-based law firm with over 200 attorneys. It has a strong public finance practice focused on tax-exempt municipal bonds. Armstrong Teasdale serves as bond and underwriters’ counsel on debt issuances for state and local governments. Its public finance team has extensive experience with municipal securities, project development, and complex bond transactions. The American Lawyer recognized Armstrong Teasdale as one of the top lawyers for healthcare, banking, and project finance.
Kirkland & Ellis’ Prominence in Alternative Investments
Although based in Chicago, Kirkland & Ellis has a significant presence in St. Louis with over 100 attorneys. It is known for its leading private equity, real estate and hedge fund practices. Kirkland has represented major alternative investment firms like Carlyle Group, KKR and Bain Capital on high-profile LBOs, M&A deals and fund formations. Its St. Louis office provides legal services across corporate, litigation, IP and tax. Kirkland & Ellis is recognized as one of the most prestigious and highest revenue law firms globally.
Rockwood Equity’s Expertise in Real Estate Investing
Rockwood Equity Partners is a real estate investment firm based in St. Louis. Founded by industry veterans in 2013, it focuses on acquiring commercial properties in major Midwest markets. Rockwood has over $275 million in assets under management currently. Its portfolio includes retail centers, office buildings, and mixed-use developments across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and surrounding states. Rockwood partners with both institutional investors and high net worth individuals on targeted real estate investment opportunities.
In summary, St. Louis has cultivated top investment firms across public and private markets, ranging from large brokerage houses like Stifel to boutique real estate shops like Rockwood Equity. Local companies benefit from the city’s central location, educated workforce and business-friendly environment. Understanding the capabilities of major St. Louis investment firms can help guide investors to trusted partners.