If you have your own company and you provide portfolio management services, you can tailor your agenda as you wish. However, I thought it would be interesting to show what most employed portfolio managers are up to on a regular day.

A typical day for a portfolio manager will vary depending on the specific role and responsibilities of the individual. In a large organization, the tasks are not as varied and the decision making is limited. At any rate, here is a general overview of what a typical day might involve:

1. Reviewing market and economic conditions: Portfolio managers typically begin their day by reviewing market and economic conditions, including news and events that may impact the performance of their portfolio. This can involve reading financial news, analyzing economic indicators, and staying up-to-date on industry developments. There are three different areas that should be covered: Analyzing the information that has been passed on to you within your organization, monitoring the news sources that your client is following (so you understand your client’s point of view), analyzing external (preferably unique) data independently to form original opinions.
   
2. Monitoring portfolio performance: Portfolio managers are responsible for monitoring the performance of their portfolio on an ongoing basis. This can involve reviewing the portfolio’s holdings, analyzing their performance, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure the portfolio aligns with the investment strategy and goals. This is usually set at either a two week or a monthly interval.
   
3. Making investment decisions: A key part of a portfolio manager’s job is making investment decisions for the portfolio. This can involve evaluating potential investments, conducting research, and deciding on the appropriate mix of assets to include in the portfolio. Most portfolio managers have less decision making power than you would think. In large organizations, the decisions are usually limited to a very strict framework.
   
4. Communicating with clients and stakeholders: Portfolio managers often work closely with clients, such as individual investors or institutional investors, and may need to communicate with them regularly. This can involve providing updates on the portfolio’s performance, answering questions, and discussing any changes to the investment strategy. This is where most time is actually spent. In small companies the end investor might be constantly calling. In large companies, you are asked to be present at endless meetings.
   
5. Attend meetings and conferences: Portfolio managers may also attend meetings and conferences as part of their job. This can include meetings with clients, meetings with other members of the investment team, and industry conferences where they can learn about new developments and networking with other professionals. When new fund companies get lucky and the fund performance exceeds expectations, they tend to send the portfolio managers around the world. But you will not see that in larger organizations.
   

In the end, you need to consider the size of the organization in which you will work in. But generally, a typical day for a portfolio manager may involve reviewing market and economic conditions, monitoring portfolio performance, making investment decisions, communicating with clients and stakeholders, and attending meetings and conferences.