Enterprising Investor

In Episode #320, Andrea Turner Moffitt, a co-founder of Plum Alley Investments, a private investment platform that supports promising women entrepreneurs and gender-diverse teams, provides an overview of early-stage investing — how much was invested in 2016, what is getting funded, and who is making the decisions — and discusses why certain ideas and founders stand out, some of the challenges of being an early stage investor, and why women entrepreneurs need funding. She also shares with viewers the three key takeaways of her book, Harness the Power of Purse: Winning Women Investor, and explains why it is crucial that financial advisers today be "gender smart."

In Episode #319, Wesley Gray delivers a thorough discussion and analysis of factor investing. Gray explores the limits to arbitrage, making a compelling case for investing using opportunities that others hypothesize should not exist.

In Episode #318, Russell Napier, ASIP, discusses global financial risks. He explores central banking, emerging markets, and global asset allocation. In particular, Napier hones in on the fragility of today's global debt situation and suggests that the present monetary system may not make it.

In Episode #317, Teresa C. Barger discusses her firm's approach to successful emerging market investing. Her approach might be best characterized as influential activism, in contrast with adversarial activism. She tries to work with her target companies to persuade them to adopt practices that she believes will unlock hidden value.

In Episode #316, Randall S. Kroszner, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, discusses his views on fragilities faced by emerging market economies and recommendations to counter them.

In Episode #315, Ming Shu, CFA, partner at Lingfeng Capital and former chief strategist of Ant Financial, shares his thoughts on the subject with us. Ming Shu's unique experience of having worked with many aspects of the FinTech ecosystem makes his views particularly interesting. He will discuss how artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data are finding applications in the areas of consumer finance, wealth management, and insurance in China.

In Episode #314, Jean Brunel, CFA, gives advice and insights for setting up a goals-based wealth management practice.

In Episode #313, Michele Wucker, author of The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Respond to the Obvious Dangers We Ignore, discusses the duress being suffered by the twin paramount institutions of the 20th century, capitalism, and democracy. Wucker provides reasons for why these institutions' wounds are both self-inflicted, and a matter of misfortune. Will the institutions survive until the end of the 21st century? If so, she proposes some important changes that must occur.

In Episode #3012, Larry Cao, CFA, spoke with Robert P. Browne, CFA, EVP and CIO of Northern Trust, about his team's investment process. From quantitative approaches and factor analysis to more fundamental approaches, such as macroeconomic and valuation analysis, Browne shares his perspectives on the pertinent topics and, more importantly, on how to tie them together. Browne also spoke on their market outlook and where they see opportunities in the market. Are equities expensive after the sharp run-ups? Are bonds at risk given the rising interest rate environment in the US? Tune in, and find out for yourself.

In Episode #311, Frank Lu, Director of the Blockchain Department at Ping An OneConnect, a former IBMer, and co-author of the HyperLedger white paper, lays out his view of where the true value of blockchain lies. He will discuss hurdles of blockchain adoption, as well as how the business models may evolve for blockchain. The interview was conducted by Larry Cao, CFA, at the LendIt China 2017 conference in Shanghai.