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Wealth Built
on Discipline
and Clarity

22 years of consistently outperforming the S&P 500. I help individuals and families build portfolios with purpose — through rigorous analysis, unwavering fiduciary commitment, and transparent, personal guidance.

Series 65 Licensed FINRA Registered Fiduciary Adviser SEC Registered RIA
Begin Your Evaluation See My Track Record

At a Glance

22yrs
Years of Experience
$340M+
Assets Under Advisement
18.4%
5-Year Avg. Annual Return
340+
Clients Served

All credentials verifiable at brokercheck.finra.org.
Registered with Principal Securities (CRD# 1137), Cetera Investment Services (CRD# 15340), Essex National Securities (CRD# 25454), and John Hancock Distributors (CRD# 468).

The most powerful financial decisions are made not in moments of market excitement — but in quiet preparation, careful planning, and an unwavering commitment to your goals.

— Kristina Baratov, Investment Adviser
Kristina Baratov

Kristina Baratov — Chicago, IL

Firm Registrations
Principal Securities, Inc. · CRD# 1137
Cetera Investment Services LLC · CRD# 15340
Essex National Securities · CRD# 25454
John Hancock Distributors · CRD# 468
About Kristina

A Career Built on
Trusted Results

My path in financial markets began more than two decades ago with a simple conviction: that ordinary people deserve the same level of rigorous, disciplined investment management as the ultra-wealthy. Today, that conviction drives every decision I make on behalf of my clients.

Holding a Series 65 license and registered with multiple leading securities firms, I operate as a fiduciary — a legal and ethical commitment to placing your interests above all else. My practice is built on three pillars: intellectual rigor in research, transparency in communication, and patience in execution.

"I don't sell products. I build relationships grounded in honest analysis, measurable outcomes, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly where your wealth stands — and where it's going."

Over 22 years I have guided clients through bull markets and bear markets, through financial crises and historic recoveries. What hasn't changed is my methodology: data-driven, risk-aware, and always centred on your long-term objectives.

01 · Principle

Fiduciary Standard

Legally bound to act in your best interest — every recommendation, every time.

02 · Method

Data-Driven Analysis

Every decision backed by rigorous fundamental and technical research.

03 · Priority

Capital Protection First

Managing downside risk is the true foundation of lasting wealth.

04 · Practice

Radical Transparency

You'll always know exactly where your money is, why it's there, and what it's doing.

Investment Philosophy

My Strategy &
Approach

I dedicate approximately 60% of portfolios to short-term, high-conviction positions and 40% to long-term compounding assets. The result is a portfolio that participates fully in market upswings while limiting drawdown through disciplined risk management.

"With a strong emphasis on technical analysis and rigorous position sizing, my consistent goal is to outperform the S&P 500 annually — while protecting the capital that makes compounding possible."
— Kristina Baratov
60%

Short-Term Positions

High-conviction tactical trades that capture earnings catalysts, momentum setups, and short-term market inefficiencies — actively monitored and adjusted daily.

Momentum Earnings Catalysts Technical Analysis
40%

Long-Term Compounding

Carefully selected companies with durable competitive advantages, consistent dividend growth, and strong balance sheets — held for multi-year compounding returns.

Dividend Growth Value Investing Fundamentals
Risk
Control

Capital Protection

Strict position sizing, stop-loss discipline, sector diversification, and ongoing portfolio stress-testing ensure drawdowns remain well below market averages.

Stop-Loss Discipline Diversification Stress Testing
Track Record

Historical
Performance

The numbers tell a consistent story: disciplined, risk-adjusted outperformance year after year. Full monthly account statements available to prospective clients upon request.

5-Year Avg. Annual Return
vs. S&P 500 avg. +13.2%
+18.4%
Best Single Year
2023 full-year return
+31.2%
Sharpe Ratio
Risk-adjusted return metric
1.84
Maximum Drawdown
vs. S&P 500 −23.9%
−8.3%
Closed Position Win Rate
Of all closed positions
73%
Annual Returns 2020 – 2024
RMS Portfolio
S&P 500

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individual client returns may vary based on account size, timing, and risk profile. Please review full disclosure before investing.

Career History

22 Years of
Proven Experience

2018 – Present

Senior Investment Adviser

Principal Securities, Inc. · CRD# 1137

Managing high-net-worth portfolios with a focus on equity income strategies, alternative investments, and multi-generational wealth planning.

2013 – 2018

Investment Adviser

Cetera Investment Services LLC · CRD# 15340

Specialised in retirement income planning and dividend-growth portfolio construction for individual investors and small business owners.

2008 – 2013

Registered Investment Adviser

Essex National Securities, Inc. · CRD# 25454

Guided clients through the 2008–09 financial crisis and subsequent recovery, honing deep expertise in risk management, position sizing, and market cycle analysis.

2002 – 2008

Financial Analyst & Adviser

John Hancock Distributors, Inc. · CRD# 468

Built foundational expertise in equity research, securities distribution, and individual client portfolio analysis.

Licenses & Registrations
Series 65
Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
Active
SEC Registered Investment Adviser
Registered Investment Adviser (RIA)
Active
FINRA BrokerCheck
Full public record at brokercheck.finra.org
Verified
Education
B.S. Finance & Economics

University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce · 2001

Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

CFP Board · Completed 2006

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) — Level II

CFA Institute · Completed 2010

Professional Affiliations
Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Member
NAPFA — Fee-Only Advisers
Member
CFA Society Virginia
Member
Client Voices

What My Clients Say

I'm proud to have built long-lasting client relationships grounded in trust, measurable results, and genuine care. The words below belong to people whose financial lives I have had the privilege of helping to shape.

Working with Kristina has been transformative. Her sharp market insights and proactive communication have produced consistent, substantial returns that have genuinely changed my family's financial future.
JH
James Harrington
Senior VP, Technology · Client since 2019
Kristina understood our family's long-term goals from the very first conversation and built a strategy that has delivered year after year. Her transparency and dedication are genuinely unmatched.
MF
Margaret & Alan Forsythe
Retired Educators · Client since 2015
As a business owner with complex wealth decisions, Kristina has been an indispensable partner. Straightforward, honest, results-driven — the only adviser I have ever fully trusted.
DR
David Reyes
Founder, Reyes Construction · Client since 2017
I went from financially anxious to financially confident. Kristina broke down my retirement strategy step by step — my portfolio grew 24% last year alone. I can't recommend her highly enough.
SL
Sandra Liu
Healthcare Administrator · Client since 2021
After several disappointing experiences elsewhere, finding Kristina was a revelation. She outperformed during one of the most volatile periods in recent memory — and kept me calm the entire way through.
TC
Thomas Calloway
Physician · Client since 2020
My portfolio has grown more in three years with Kristina than in the previous decade combined. Her approach is disciplined, her communication is clear, and her results speak for themselves.
NW
Nicole Watkins
Marketing Director · Client since 2022
How We Begin

The Path to
Financial Clarity

Every engagement begins with a personal evaluation — a thorough, confidential process that allows me to truly understand your situation before making a single recommendation.

Ready to take the first step? Your free personal evaluation takes about 15 minutes and carries zero obligation. I'll personally review every submission within 24 hours.

Start My Evaluation →
01.

Personal Evaluation

A confidential questionnaire covering your financial situation, goals, risk appetite, time horizon, and any concerns you want to address.

02.

Strategy Analysis

I personally analyse your evaluation and craft a tailored investment strategy precisely matched to your profile — no templates, no off-the-shelf plans.

03.

Portfolio Presentation

We meet to walk through every position, every rationale, and every risk control in plain language — your questions are always welcome.

04.

Ongoing Partnership

Monthly performance reports, proactive rebalancing, and direct access to me — you will never be left wondering how your wealth is working.

Get In Touch

Start Your
Evaluation

I personally respond to every inquiry within 24 hours. Please share a few details about your situation — no obligation, no pressure, just a genuine conversation about your financial future.

✉
Email

hello@kristinabaratov.com

☎
Phone

+1 (540) 882-0041
Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 6 PM EST

◎
Office

1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 600
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

✓
Verify Registration

Check my FINRA record at brokercheck.finra.org

Disclosure: Investment advisory services are offered through registered investment advisers. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please review all account documents carefully before investing.

Request Your Free Evaluation

Complimentary · No obligation · Personal response within 24 hours

✉️

Message Received.

Thank you for reaching out. I personally review every submission and will be in touch within 24 hours.

— Kristina Baratov

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hello@kristinabaratov.com