Episode 397: Small Cap Value Funds, How To Recognize Bad Books, CAOS And Weekly Portfolio Reviews As Of January 24, 2025
Jan 26, 2025
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Dive into the intriguing world of small-cap value funds as key players like Vanguard and iShares are put under the microscope. Unpack the historical context and importance of diversification for robust portfolios. Get ready for some laughs as the hosts critique a dubious book, giving a light-hearted take on investment strategies. Plus, discover how CAOS is shaking up traditional approaches with innovative risk management tools. Finally, stay tuned for detailed reviews on various sample portfolios and their performance in today's market.
29:46
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the importance of investing in small cap value funds, focusing on their performance variations and industry standards like Vanguard's VIOV.
A critical evaluation of unreliable literature suggests that investors should avoid books from questionable authors that lack actionable financial insights.
Deep dives
Understanding Small Cap Value Funds
The discussion emphasizes the differences between various small cap value funds, primarily focusing on Vanguard's VBR and iShares' IJS. It highlights that IJS, which tracks the S&P 600 small cap value index, provides more direct exposure to small cap value compared to VBR, which uses a different index that skews towards mid-cap. Vanguard responded to market trends by creating VIOV, based on the S&P 600 index, which has become the industry standard over the last two decades. The conversation urges investors to recognize that fund performance can vary widely, and it is more important to maintain exposure to small cap value rather than obsessing over which particular fund is currently deemed superior.
Evaluating Conspiracy-Themed Financial Literature
A critique is provided of David Rogers Webb's book, 'The Great Taking', which is described as a mix of personal memoir and conspiracy theory. The author’s credibility is questioned due to past bankruptcy in the hedge fund industry and the tendency of failed fund managers to sell books rather than provide reliable financial advice. The analysis positions the work as poor quality and filled with sensational claims about global elites without substantive backing. Readers are discouraged from investing time in such literature, as it often lacks solid financial insights or actionable recommendations.
Portfolio Review Highlights
The episode features a review of several investment portfolios, showcasing their performance across different asset classes. The 'All Seasons' portfolio demonstrates conservative growth with a blend of equities, bonds, and commodities, while the 'Golden Butterfly' reveals a strong historical performance since inception. The conversation also covers more aggressive portfolios like the 'Accelerated Permanent Portfolio', noting its recent success amid market changes. Throughout the review, an emphasis is placed on the diversification of assets as a critical factor contributing to the varied performance results of each portfolio.
In this episode we answer emails from Bones, Paul and Justin. We discuss small cap value funds and their underlying indexes, an odd book from an unreliable source and an alternative ETF called CAOS.
And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.
What if your investments could outpace market trends with a simple shift in strategy? On Risk Parity Radio, we promise to unravel the complexities of asset allocation, specifically tailored for the DIY investor. We kick off with a deep dive into the world of small-cap value funds, dissecting the evolution of Vanguard’s funds alongside iShares' stalwart, IJS. The competition heats up with new entrants like Avantis and Dimensional, particularly the rising star AVUV. With insights from Paul Merriman's research, we explore why diversifying into small-cap value can be a game-changer for your portfolio, no matter which fund you choose.
Ever wondered if an investment product could thrive in both stable and volatile markets? Enter Wes Gray’s Alpha Architect product, Chaos, which challenges traditional investing with tools like protective puts and box spreads. We bring you a thorough examination of this intriguing product and a candid discussion about its potential and risks. Our analysis extends to sample portfolios, showcasing the power of diversification with assets ranging from the S&P 500 to commodities. We wrap up by contrasting popular portfolios like the All Seasons and Golden Butterfly with the experimental Accelerated Permanent Portfolio, making sure you are equipped with cutting-edge strategies to optimize your investments.