Insight is Capital™ Podcast

Todd Finkle, Pigott Professor of Entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University and author, shares his deep insights on Warren Buffett's life and philosophies. He reflects on his personal connections with the Buffett family, including memories with Buffett’s son, Pete. The discussion dives into Buffett's investment approach, the influence of mentors like Charlie Munger, and the significance of resilience gained from his childhood during the Great Depression. Finkle stresses the importance of critical thinking and avoiding toxic relationships for entrepreneurial success.

Bob Elliott, CEO and CIO at Unlimited Funds and former head of investment research at Bridgewater Associates, dives into the lessons learned from the Global Financial Crisis. He explores today's macroeconomic landscape, discussing inflation, interest rates, and the effects of deglobalization on the U.S. economy. Bob shares innovative strategies for everyday investors, emphasizing the importance of diversification and managing portfolio volatility, while providing insights on behavioral economics and disciplined trading practices. His advice is invaluable for navigating today's investment challenges.

Justin Huhn, founder of Uranium Insider and a uranium market expert, dives into the burgeoning opportunities within the uranium sector. He discusses the nuclear industry's revival post-Fukushima and growing global electricity demands, emphasizing nuclear energy as a clean solution. Justin highlights advancements in reactor technology, the significance of long-term contracts, and the implications of geopolitical tensions on uranium supply. With a bullish outlook for 2029-2030, he reveals investment strategies in a market ripe with potential.

In this episode of Insight is Capital, Pierre Daillie chats with Jason Buck, Chief Investment Officer at Mutiny Fund, to discuss defensive and offensive strategies in portfolio management - with equity valuations of the "Magnificent 7" it's now particularly essential for advisors and investors alike to consider defense ahead of any potential reversals. Buck points out that from a business perspective, advisors are leveraged to the equity market by 3-4x, when their business AUM is exposed to drawdown risks. Jason shares his journey from a real estate developer affected by the 2008 financial crisis to a consultant on risk management and bespoke long volatility strategies. He highlights the 'cockroach investment strategy' and the necessity of combining offensive assets like stocks and bonds with defensive assets like long volatility and commodity trend advisors. The importance of rebalancing, the concept of convexity, and the practical application of strategies like the Harry Brown portfolio model are discussed in detail. Using the memorable Herschel Walker analogy, Jason underscores the importance of a well-diversified portfolio. This episode is essential for investors and advisors looking to understand the implementation and benefits of a balanced approach to portfolio construction.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction - Guest - Jason Buck, Mutiny Fund00:14 Jason Buck's Background and Investment Philosophy00:49 The Cockroach Investment Strategy01:20 Podcast Disclaimer and Welcome Back01:49 Discussing the Cockroach Strategy03:08 Importance of Diversification and Defense Strategy04:44 Launching the Defense Strategy06:47 The Great Financial Crisis and Its Lessons07:40 Combining Offensive and Defensive Assets08:53 Harry Brown's Four Quadrant Model09:33 Modern Portfolio Techniques and Convexity12:33 Commodity Trend Advisors (CTAs) Explained14:12 The Role of CTAs in Inflationary Environments15:01 Ensemble of CTAs for Robust Returns24:04 Challenges in Explaining Trend Following30:43 Understanding the Buy Button Mentality31:05 The Case for Commodity Trend Following31:38 Challenges in Portfolio Allocation32:42 Financial Advisors and Client Resistance34:37 The Importance of Defensive Assets36:37 Cash and Capital Efficiency39:19 Long Volatility and Tail Risk Explained41:02 Convexity and Portfolio Insurance48:51 Rebalancing for Effective Compounding55:45 The Herschel Walker Trade Analogy58:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

In this conversation, Pierre Daillie interviews Elisabeth Kashner, Director of Global Funds Research, FactSet, about the trends and challenges in the ETF market. They discuss the slow pace of ETF flows in 2024, the impact of the Fed's rate cuts, and the attractiveness of cash investments. They also explore the rise of actively managed equity ETFs and the competition among asset managers to offer low-cost products. The conversation highlights the importance of providing exceptional value and solving the profitability challenge in the ETF industry. The asset management industry is experiencing a shift towards lower fees and increased efficiency, driven by the rise of ETFs. While some ETF issuers have raised their management expense ratios (MERs), it is often due to operational concerns rather than a desire to make more money. The industry is becoming more commoditized, allowing investors to focus on making the right asset allocation decisions. The ETF industry continues to grow, with inflows increasing every year. However, with over 3,500 ETFs available, investors need to do their homework and understand the products they are investing in.Takeaways• ETF flows in 2024 have been slow compared to previous years, with investors gravitating towards cash investments due to their attractive yields.• The rise of actively managed equity ETFs has led to increased competition among asset managers, with a few firms attracting the majority of flows.• Asset managers face the challenge of offering exceptional value and solving the profitability issue in a highly competitive market.• The barriers to entry in the ETF industry are low, but the barriers to success are high, requiring efficiency, scale, and effective capital markets management.• The asset management industry is shifting towards lower fees and increased efficiency• ETF issuers have raised MERs due to operational concerns, not to make more money• Investors have a wide range of ETF options, but need to do their homework and understand the products• The industry is becoming more commoditized, allowing investors to focus on asset allocation decisions• Investors should seek the advice of a knowledgeable advisor to navigate the marketCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

Join us as we catch up with Som Seif, Founder and CEO of Purpose Investments. In this episode of Insight is Capital, Som shares his perspectives on the current volatile market environment, discussing trends in stocks, bonds, and interest rates. With a focus on sustainable investment solutions and economic productivity driven by AI, Som shares his views of market expectations, the role of the Fed, and the importance of preparing for multiple economic scenarios, considering the range of possibilities of 'higher for longer' monetary policy. Som shares his thoughts on the need to establish a mental model for advisors to consider while navigating today's uncertainty and to consider ways of building resilient portfolios for today’s more challenging and changing financial landscape.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction01:15 Market Overview and Current Trends02:56 Bond Market Overview06:03 Economic Assumptions and the futility of predictions11:47 Comparing Consumer Resilience and Housing Market29:43 A Mental Model for Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management34:38 Advisors' Role and Resources41:19 Closing Thoughts and Best Advice Ever ReceivedCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

Join us on the Insight is Capital Podcast as we interview Joel Litman, Chief Investment Strategist at Valens Research, discussing insights into the current equity, bond markets, and the challenges in commercial real estate. Discover the strong investment potential of the U.S. amidst global shifts, encouraging a disciplined, long-term investment strategy. We then get into a discussion of the limitations of GAAP accounting and the benefits of Uniform Adjusted Financial Reporting Standards (UAFRS). It’s earnings season, after all. Explore how understanding true business earnings and improved transparency can lead to better investment decisions, and outcomes. Dive into the nuances of corporate management claims, financial forensics, and market analysis, including Jerome Powell's statements on inflation, the pitfalls of EBITDA, and the past example of IBM’s flawed compensation strategy.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Understanding Earnings Comparisons00:11 The Impact of Inventory Methods on Profit Reporting00:53 Challenges with GAAP Accounting01:31 Historical Perspectives on Accounting Standards03:39 Introduction to Uniform Accounting Principles03:44 The Role of Shelby Davis in Accounting04:29 The Importance of Consistent Accounting Standards06:42 Market Insights and Economic Trends07:54 The State of the Bond Market31:19 Private Equity and Credit Markets47:18 Understanding Sustainable Earnings48:16 The Flaws of Wall Street Ratings50:37 Uniform Accounting and Fraud Detection53:00 Case Studies and Real-World Applications55:04 Challenges in Financial Analysis01:01:22 The Role of Audio Analysis in Detecting Deception01:07:20 Teaching Uniform Accounting01:14:08 The IBM Case Study01:18:30 Advice for Financial Analysts and Investors01:20:40 Global Economic Outlook and U.S. Dominance

In this episode of Insight is Capital, Pierre Daillie, Managing Editor at AdvisorAnalyst.com catches up with Steve Hawkins, CEO of Longpoint ETFs. After a notable career leading Horizons ETFs (now Global X ETFs Canada) and a brief retirement travelling the world, Hawkins discusses his market outlook, his return to the investment industry with his new venture focused on building innovative ETF products. We dive into his experiences, strategic vision, as well as his take on the evolving landscape of the ETF market, touching on the importance of listening to investor needs and the distinct opportunities he plans to bring to both retail advisors and self-directed investors. The conversation wraps up with Hawkins' insights into the future of ETFs and his excitement for upcoming launches at Longpoint.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:41 Steve Hawkins' Retirement Adventures01:44 Return to the Industry03:33 Building Longpoint ETFs06:46 Innovations and Future Plans11:00 Market Review, Challenges and Opportunities13:32 Global ETF Market Insights18:51 Partnerships and Strategies36:09 Personal Reflections and Travel Highlights41:20 Wrap up and Future OutlookCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst

In this episode of 'Insight is Capital', host Pierre Daillie sits down with Daniel Straus, Director and Head of National Bank Financials' ETF Research and Strategy Group, to discuss trends in the ETF market both in Canada and the U.S. They explore recent market conditions, the dynamics between U.S. and international equities, the role of AI and technology stocks, and the state of the bond market. Daniel also delves into investor behavior, the emergence of alternative investment strategies, and the implications of recent regulatory changes on ETFs. This comprehensive discussion provides extraordinary and valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that shape today's ETF landscape.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:31 Market Overview and Recent Trends04:32 Economic Indicators and Household Spending07:15 Investor Sentiment and ETF Flows11:50 Bond Market Dynamics and Strategies18:11 Trends in the ETF Market24:22 Investor Behavior and Tactical Decisions33:51 Exploring ETF Strategies for Recovery34:18 Tax Implications and Strategies34:35 Diversification in ETFs36:02 Market Cap Weighting and Passive Investing38:03 Tax Alpha and Risk Management39:50 Investor Behavior and Cognitive Biases41:26 Trends in International Markets42:46 The Rise of Thematic ETFs43:54 Crypto ETFs and Market Dynamics49:07 Alternative Assets and Leveraged ETFs58:54 Commodities and Inflation Protection01:02:13 Conclusion and Future InsightsCopyright © AdvisorAnalyst.com

In this episode of the Insight is Capital podcast, Ilan Kolet, an Institutional Portfolio Manager in Fidelity's Global Asset Allocation team, discusses the current investment landscape, focusing on the divergence between the Canadian and U.S. economies, the significance of productivity growth, and the strategic inclusion of liquid alternatives in investment portfolios. Kolet highlights the U.S. economy's remarkable growth compared to other G7 countries and emphasizes the potential of a productivity expansion in the U.S. to enhance economic growth without stoking inflation. The conversation also covers Fidelity's decision to incorporate liquid alternative strategies into their managed portfolio suite, aiming to improve diversification and risk-adjusted returns for investors. This move reflects a deliberate and research-based approach to portfolio construction, underscoring Fidelity's commitment to innovation while maintaining a cautious and incremental investment strategy.Timestamped Highlights00:00 Catching Up After a Long Time00:30 Divergence Between Canada and the U.S.04:50 The Importance of Productivity07:47 Stocks and Bonds Performance10:12 Understanding Productivity Growth16:39 Implications for Monetary Policy20:14 Introduction and Episode Overview21:04 Current Market Positioning26:56 Incremental Investment Approach27:06 Valuation and Sentiment in Investment Decisions28:14 Comprehensive Global Asset Allocation Strategy29:17 Manager Selection and Diversification29:56 Rigorous Evaluation and Tactical Decisions30:58 Challenges for Advisors35:57 Balanced Fund of the Future36:30 Inclusion of Liquid Alternatives40:44 Democratizing Access to Alternative Investments53:52 Strategic and Methodical Investment Decisions55:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans