The Long View Ben Felix: Rational Reminders for Good Financial Decisions
55 snips
Jun 3, 2025 
Ben Felix, Chief Investment Officer at PWL Capital and co-host of the Rational Reminder podcast, shares his transition from mechanical engineering to finance. He discusses his journey from early disappointments with actively managed funds to advocating for evidence-based portfolio strategies. The conversation dives into home country bias in investments, the role of cryptocurrency, and the importance of transparency in investment fees. Ben emphasizes personalized financial strategies and reflects on the evolving landscape of Canadian retail investing.
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Ben's Path to Finance
- Ben Felix transitioned from mechanical engineering to finance through an MBA seeking challenging academics.
- His path was influenced by practical choices rather than a pre-existing passion for investing.
Efficient Markets as a Practical Model
- Efficient markets provide a useful model for investment decisions but are not a perfect reality.
- Ben Felix values scientific methods like Fama French factors over subjective fund picking.
Why Canada Prefers Active Funds
- Canadian retail funds are 80% actively managed, higher than U.S., due to conflicts of interest and advisor beliefs.
- Advisor education and transparency may help reduce active management dominance in Canada.
