Understanding Home Country Bias in Investment Portfolios

In this episode, we explore the intricate world of home-country bias in investment decision-making and learn the secret sauce to effective communication and writing. We start by discussing the definition and influence of home-country bias and explore why investors tend to overweight their portfolios with domestic equities despite global opportunities. We dissect the home bias puzzle, the rationality behind bias, and the conditions under which home-country bias makes sense. Then, Mark McGrath joins us to unpack the complexities of segregated funds and why it might not be the investment product you were hoping for. Following that, we sit down with  Todd Rogers, a prominent behavioural scientist and professor, to discover the science behind effective communication. He explains how we adapt to different communication styles and techniques over time, the foundations of effective communication, and much more. Be sure to tune in as we unravel the complexities of investing, navigate the world of behavioural science, and bring you the tools you need for financial success!

Key Points From This Episode:

(0:00:00) Episode introduction and what listeners can expect.

(0:01:30) Definition of home-country bias and its influence on investors.

(0:04:25) Unpack the home bias puzzle and Canadian home bias trends.

(0:08:27) Discover the conditions when home bias may make sense.

(0:13:10) Relative economic standing: an important aspect of home-country bias.

(0:15:00) Explore home-country bias through a quantitative lens.

(0:20:28) Common concerns of overweighting a small market cap.

(0:27:21) Mark to Market: the good, bad, and complicated side of segregated funds.

(0:31:24) Dissect the proposed benefits of segregated funds.

(0:39:07) Discover the drawbacks and pitfalls of segregated funds.

(0:44:05) Alternatives to segregated funds and Mark’s main takeaways.

(0:46:50) Highlights from our conversation with Professor Vanessa Bohns.

(0:49:38) Introducing today’sguest Todd Rogers, behavioural scientist and professor.

(0:51:37) Learn about the science behind effective writing and communication.

(0:53:48) Thedecision-making process when receiving new information.

(0:56:18) Todd shares thesix principles of effective writing.

(0:58:28) When to send a message, why less is more, and tips for effectively communicating.

(1:06:32) Advice for using emojis and hyperlinks and the impact of bolding and highlighting.

(1:12:35) The impact of AI on effective writing and the importance of good writing.

(1:19:45) Final takeaways, book recommendations, listener reviews, and more!

Links From Today’s Episode:

Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/

Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/

Rational Reminder on X — https://twitter.com/RationalRemind

Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.ca Benjamin Felix — https://www.pwlcapital.com/author/benjamin-felix/

Benjamin on X — https://twitter.com/benjaminwfelix

Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/

Cameron Passmore — https://www.pwlcapital.com/profile/cameron-passmore/

Cameron on X — https://twitter.com/CameronPassmore

Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/

Mark McGrath on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcgrathcfp/ Mark McGrath on X — https://twitter.com/MarkMcGrathCFP

Home-country Bias YouTube Video — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYedjI03Q0g

Assuris — https://assuris.ca

Canadian Investor Protection Fund — https://www.cipf.ca/

The Money Scope Podcast — https://moneyscope.ca/

Professor Vanessa Bohns — https://www.vanessabohns.com/

Professor Vanessa Bohns on X — https://twitter.com/profbohns

Professor Vanessa Bohns on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/profbohns/

Professor Vanessa Bohns on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-bohns-33219710/

Professor Vanessa Bohns on Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21035835.Vanessa_Bohns

Todd Rogers on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-rogers-6ba447/

Todd Rogers on X — https://twitter.com/Todd_Rogers_

Harvard University — https://www.harvard.edu/

Analyst Institute — https://analystinstitute.org/

EveryDay Labs — https://www.everydaylabs.com/

The Behavioural Insights Team — https://www.bi.team/

Behavioral Science & Policy Association (BSPA) — https://behavioralpolicy.org/

Six Principles Checklist —

GPT-4 — https://openai.com/research/gpt-4

Women's Wealth: Investing Basics for Women Webinar —

Books From Today’s Episode:

You Have More Influence Than You Think — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1324005718/

Writing for Busy Readers — https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Busy-Readers-Communicate-Effectively/dp/0593187482

Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors — https://www.amazon.com/Index-Funds-12-Step-Recovery-Investors-ebook/dp/B0CL2Z23CT/

The Elements of Style — https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X

The Psychology of Money — https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681

The Fund — https://www.amazon.com/Fund-Bridgewater-Associates-Unraveling-Street/dp/1250276934

Anatomy of a Breakthrough — https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Breakthrough-Unstuck-When-Matters/dp/1982182962

The Score That Matters — https://www.amazon.com/Score-That-Matters-Excellence-Yourself-ebook/dp/B0CGZ8HRXD

The Algebra of Wealth — https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Wealth-Formula-Financial-Security/dp/0593714024

Papers From Today’s Episode:

‘Beyond the Status Quo: A Critical Assessment of Lifecycle Investment Advice’ — https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4590406

‘Global equity investing: The benefits of diversification and sizing your allocation’ — https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/research/pdf/Global-equity-investing-The-benefits-of-diversification-and-sizing-your-allocation-US-ISGGEB_042021_Online.pdf