Welcome

The members of the Ho/Felton Team subscribe to the belief that successful investing is a direct derivation of comprehensive financial planning.  We devote special time to the beginning of a business relationship, in order to learn the full story about each new client.  This preliminary broad-based planning allows better insight into defining specific objectives and identifying specific needs.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

The CFP® Professional

Individuals certified by the CFP® Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate commitment and professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience, and ethical requirements. These four cornerstones set the foundation for the CFP® professional’s ability in helping clients achieve their goals.
Education
The CFP® professional must develop theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing 2 to 3 years of comprehensive coursework at an institution of higher learning approved by the CFP® Board.
Examination
The CFP® professional must pass the 7 hour comprehensive Certification Exam, which tests abilities to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations. The exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
Experience
All CFP® professionals are required to complete several years of experience related to financial planning services prior to earning the right to use the CFP® trademarks.
Ethics
The CFP® professional is obligated to uphold the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence as outlined in the CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics. The Rules of Conduct require the CFP® professional put the client’s interest first at all times and provide financial planning care as a true fiduciary.

Professional Portfolio Management

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    PERSONALIZED PORTFOLIOS
    We use our professional experience to identify an investment strategy specified to meet your needs.
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    COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS
    Throughout our relationship, you’ll have direct access to us. We are your investment managers - not an outsourced, faceless management company
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    CLIENT FOCUS
    Each account can be individually customized to meet your requirements for growth, income or preservation of capital within your risk constraints.
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    ASSET-BASED FEE
    Fees for the program are based on your account’s asset level, not on the number of transactions performed in a given time period.

Location

55 South Lake Ave
Ste 700
Pasadena, CA 91101
US
Direct:
(626) 449-1240(626) 449-1240
Toll-Free:
(800) 421-7248(800) 421-7248

Meet The Ho|Felton Team

About Cecil Y Ho

Mr. Cecil Ho joined Smith Barney, a predecessor firm to Morgan Stanley, in 1998 following a three-year stint managing his own business. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, he specializes in financial planning and investment management.  His clientele includes high net worth families, non-profit organizations, and private and public companies. Mr. Ho grew up in a missionary family in Boston, Massachusetts, where he received his degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University.  His academic experience was complimented by leadership roles in the student body and professional experience from scores of prestigious financial institutions, such as Fleet Bank and The Boston Trust Company.  His business and entrepreneurial instincts bring a practical understanding of the marketplace to his practice. Mr. Ho maintains his primary practice in Pasadena, California where he is active in various local charitable and trade associations.  While working as a college intern at Food&Wine Magazine, Mr. Ho developed a passion for fine culinary experiences.  He is an active member of the Pasadena Wine & Food Society.
Securities Agent: WA, AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1268235
CA Insurance License #: 0C49563

About Christopher Felton

Mr. Christopher S. Felton was born and raised in Pasadena, California.  After receiving his B.A degree from Vassar College in 2002, he ventured across the Pacific to teach English as a second language in rural Japan.

During his first two years, Mr. Felton quickly established himself as a top teacher and was accepted into the prestigious Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program.  In 2008, he was asked by the Iwate Prefectural Board of Education to present to a large group of colleagues – both Japanese and foreign – on the subject of effective team teaching.  It was met with much enthusiasm.

Mr. Felton completed his teaching tenure in neighboring South Korea, in the urban port city of Busan.  Midway through his contract with the English Program in Korea (EPIK), Mr. Felton was awarded the top prize and a certificate of excellence for his efforts in the annual, municipal sponsored teaching competition and evaluation.  

Mr. Felton’s experience and passion for teaching have given him the skills to convey difficult concepts into matter-of-fact points of value for audiences from a wide range of backgrounds.  He came full circle and returned to Pasadena in early 2011, joining Morgan Stanley Smith Barney as a Financial Advisor and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM designation. His excellent communication skills will prove instrumental in counseling on financial planning and effective investment management.  

Mr. Felton is an avid traveler and photographer, and has spent time volunteering in the Dominican Republic and Thailand.  He formerly served on the Board of Trustees for the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House and co-chaired the inaugural Pasadena “Walk for Kids” in April 2016.  He is a PADI Certified Open Water Diver, 2nd Degree Black Belt, and enthusiastic learner of languages. He lives with his wife and daughter in his hometown of Pasadena.
Securities Agent: TX, NC, SC, OH, ID, MA, WA, UT, MS, CA, AL, NY, IN, IL, VA, TN, MI, NM, MN, DE, OR, NV, ME, HI, FL, CO, PA, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278883
CA Insurance License #: 0H57482
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Ho|Felton Team today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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3Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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4Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)