Enterprising Investor is the flagship podcast of CFA Institute and the definitive program for the investment management industry. As stewards of the investment industry, Enterprising Investor will feature intimate conversations with some of the most influential people from the world of finance about the topics that matter most to investment professionals. The show will also share crucial insights and best practices to help guide investors to make smart, ethical decisions. EI will continue to help build a better world for investors. [Note: Note was formerly named Take 15 and Guiding Assets before being rebranded Enterprising Investor.]
Founder and CEO of Essentia Analytics, Clare Flynn Levy, joins Mike Wallberg, CFA, to discuss the concept of the behavioral alpha score, a metric designed to assess an investor's decision-making skill. Drawing from her experience as an active equity fund manager, Clare explains the origins of the behavioral alpha score and its significance in the pursuit of sustainable investment alpha in an increasingly competitive landscape. She emphasizes that traditional methods of generating alpha, such as superior information, are no longer effective, highlighting the importance of understanding and improving one's own decision-making processes. Tune in to explore how behavioral analytics can enhance investment strategies and decision making.
11/1/24 • 25:41
Stephen Foerster, CFA, discusses his new book, "Trailblazers Heroes and Crooks: Stories to Make You a Smarter Investor." In the book, Professor Foerster shares intriguing stories that illustrate valuable lessons for investors, drawing from diverse topics such as professional sports, fraud cases, and even wildlife encounters. The conversation kicks off with a fascinating tale involving Warren Buffett's early investment in the 1960s, featuring the notorious figure Tino DeAngelis and an anonymous tipster known as The Voice. Dr. Foerster emphasizes the importance of learning from history beyond just financial metrics, encouraging investors to consider the broader context of their decisions. Tune in for a rich discussion about the lessons that can be gleaned from both triumphs and missteps in the investment world.
10/15/24 • 26:03
Mike Wallberg welcomes senior Bloomberg writer Stephanie Baker to discuss her new book, "Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia." The book offers an in-depth analysis of the West's response to Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Stephanie shares insights from her extensive reporting and how her experiences in Moscow during the 1990s shape her perspective on the drastic economic shifts resulting from the invasion. The conversation delves into the profound implications of this geopolitical crisis and the end of Russia's 30 years of economic integration with the West. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the efforts to confront Russia in the wake of the invasion.
10/1/24 • 29:54
Drew Estes, CFA, a portfolio manager at Banyan Capital Management, and host Mike Wallberg, CFA, discuss Drew’s thought-provoking article, "Commercial Evolution," which explores the intersection of evolutionary biology and investment strategies. He shares his disillusionment with traditional economic theories, particularly equilibrium theory, and advocates for a broader understanding of economics by incorporating biological concepts. Drew explains how both economists and biologists study the same phenomenon—evolution—and highlights the importance of replication, heritable traits, and variability in commerce. Listen now to discover how evolutionary theory can lead to smarter investment decisions.
9/16/24 • 25:10
Join as Jordan Doyle and Genevieve Hayman discuss their recent report, "Smart Beta, Direct Indexing, and Index-Based Investment Strategies." The conversation explores the historical context and substantial growth of index investing, highlighting the expansion of index ETFs, mutual funds, and smart beta ETFs. Genevieve and Jordan provide insights into how these strategies should be understood and integrated within client portfolios. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic world of index-based investment strategies.
9/1/24 • 28:23
Campbell Harvey, a professor of finance at Duke University, director of research at Research Affiliates, and author of "DeFi and the Future of Finance," is best known for identifying the link between an inverted yield curve and impending recessions—a theory that has guided financial practitioners for nearly four decades. This episode delves into his famous recession indicator and its historical performance, as well as perspective on the current volatile market and the Federal Reserve's potential actions. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with expert analysis and valuable investment insights.
8/15/24 • 39:19
Join Mike Wallberg, CFA, and Ken Laudan, portfolio manager of Buffalo Fund's Blue Chip Growth Fund, for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI in investing. Ken shares his contrary view on AI's transformational potential, drawing on his extensive experience as a sell-side analyst and buy-side portfolio manager. The conversation also touches on the current market landscape and the emergence of a shifting narrative toward other stocks. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the evolving role of AI in investments and the complexities of today's market dynamics.
8/1/24 • 25:18
Fei-Fei Li, former Chief Investment Officer at Research Affiliates and current CIO at Kavout Algo Financial, shares insights from her extensive background in finance. She discusses her tenure at Research Affiliates, where she led research and strategy design for the firm's systematic active strategies and smart beta indices. The conversation then pivots to her current role at Kavout Algo Financial, where she is spearheading the development of an AI tool aimed at revolutionizing the investment research process. Feifei provides a fascinating look at the intersection of AI and fintech, and what it means for the future of investment research. Feifei also shared insights from her recent Financial Analyst Journal article with Robert Arnott and Juhani Linnainmaa, “Smart Rebalancing,” which explores strategies to reduce trading costs while maintaining portfolio efficacy.
7/15/24 • 25:36
Tune in as David Blanchett, CFA, shares insights on his latest research on investment horizons, serial correlation, and better retirement portfolios. David discusses the impact of time and inflation on optimal portfolio construction and makes a case for including commodities in portfolios. Listen now to learn more about his findings and insights into retirement planning strategies. Read the full paper here: https://cfainst.is/4eW9BTp.
7/1/24 • 26:07
In this episode of the Enterprising Investor podcast, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Alfonso Ricciardelli, CFA, about alternative credit. Alfonso co-edited “An Introduction to Alternative Credit” for the CFA Institute Research Foundation. Mike and Alfonso discuss the motivation behind the paper and the importance of expanding access to retail investors for alternative credit products. Tune in to learn more about this niche area of finance!
6/15/24 • 24:47
On this episode of Enterprising Investor, Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Chris Geczy from UPenn's Wharton School about the application of AI in the investment industry. Professor Geczy discusses the evolution of AI in finance and its historical context dating back to the 1960s. Join the conversation to explore the intersection of AI and investment strategies.
6/1/24 • 28:42
In this episode of Enterprising Investor, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Robert Hagstrom, CFA, author of "The Warren Buffett Way," discussing insights from the recent Berkshire shareholders meeting and the evolution of Warren Buffett's investment strategies over the past 30 years. They delve into the atmosphere of the Berkshire meeting, often dubbed the "Woodstock of capitalism," which kicks off days before the main event with various conferences and events. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on the Oracle of Omaha and his enduring investment principles.
5/15/24 • 28:59
In this episode of Enterprising Investor, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, engages with Andy Lee, founder of Parallaxes Capital, to uncover the hidden gems within tax receivable agreements. Andy shares his insights on how these agreements, akin to pharmaceutical and musical royalties of past decades, offer investors long-term cash flow opportunities often overlooked by many. Join the conversation as Andy sheds light on his unique approach to finding value in the financial market.
5/1/24 • 26:45
This episode of Enterprising Investor features Dr. Meir Statman discussing the role of money in happiness and how mindset can impact investing success. Dr. Statman, a professor at Santa Clara University, recently published a book titled "A Wealth of Wellbeing, A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance." The book explores making better decisions about financial and life well-being. Dr. Statman shares personal insights that highlight the importance of understanding risks beyond the stock market. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on the intersection of money, happiness, and investing success.
4/15/24 • 25:41
On this episode of the Enterprising Investor podcast, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Mark Higgins, CFA, author of "Investing in US Financial History." Mark delves into the comprehensive process of breaking down US financial history from 1790 to the present day, highlighting key inflection points and the evolution of the financial system. Join Mike and Mark as they uncover the compelling insights from centuries of financial markets in this engaging discussion.
3/20/24 • 27:02
In this episode of the Enterprising Investor Podcast, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, introduces Barbara Stewart, CFA, an experienced FX trader, high-net-worth manager, researcher, author, and keynote speaker. Barbara discusses her annual Rich Thinking study, which focuses on women and finance. This year's study asked 50 successful people about their investment portfolios. Barbara shares her insights and goals for the study, aiming to advance the world of women and finance. Her full report will be released on Friday, March 8, 2024.
3/6/24 • 25:54
In March, Guiding Assets is joining forces with the Enterprising Investor Blog. The podcast will be renamed and become the Enterprising Investor podcast. Same great content as before. Better alignment with our mission of putting investor content first.
2/26/24 • 00:54
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Dr. Daniel Peris, CFA, a senior portfolio manager with Federated Hermes. Dr. Peris discusses his new book, "The Ownership Dividend," and the paradigm shift he sees in how U.S. investors think about dividend stocks. He explains that for generations, investors have considered it normal to focus on capital gains and overlook the importance of dividends. Drawing on his background as a historian, Dr. Peris provides a unique perspective on the significance of dividends in investment strategies.
2/21/24 • 32:30
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg is joined by Dr. Edward McQuarrie, Professor Emeritus of the Levy School of Business at Santa Clara University. Dr. McQuarrie challenges some long-held assumptions in financial markets, including the belief that stocks always outperform bonds over the long term and that a negative correlation between bonds and stocks leads to effective diversification. He discusses his research, which takes a historical perspective by analyzing U.S. stock and bond records dating back to 1792. Dr. McQuarrie explains how his research builds upon previous work by Jeremy Siegel, highlighting the advantages of accessing older historical data. This thought-provoking episode challenges conventional wisdom and provides listeners with a fresh perspective on portfolio theory. Read the article in the Financial Analysts Journal: https://cfainst.is/49uRrEq
2/7/24 • 27:33
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, sits down with Ivan Mitov, the VP and Director of Risk Research for FactSet. Ivan leads a team of quantitative researchers who focus on building and applying multi–asset class risk models. The discussion centers around the application of AI and large language models in the investment industry. Ivan explains the research process and the outputs his team works towards for clients. Tune in to gain insights into the role of AI in risk modeling and its impact on the industry.
1/24/24 • 22:07
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, is joined by Olivier Fines, CFA, Head of Advocacy and Capital Markets Policy Research for EMEA at CFA Institute. They discuss the findings of a recent CFA Institute report on the valuation of cryptoassets. The conversation explores the history of CFA Institute's engagement with cryptocurrency and how traditional valuation techniques can be applied to determine the defensible value of cryptocurrencies. Olivier shares insights from his experience in investment management and highlights the key takeaways from the report. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the valuation of cryptoassets and its significance for investment professionals. Read the full report here: https://cfainst.is/48nqTot
1/10/24 • 28:04
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg interviews Dr. Joe Simonian, a leading quant expert in the field of investment research. Dr. Simonian is the co-author of a new book called "Quantitative Global Bond Portfolio Management," which explores the application of quantitative methods in fixed income investing. They discuss the various topics covered in the book, including both traditional and cutting-edge techniques in global bond management. Listeners will gain insights into the intersection of quantitative investing and fixed income, as well as emerging markets, AI, alternative data, and more. Tune in to hear Dr. Simonian's expertise and learn about the exciting developments in this field.
12/13/23 • 21:49
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, is joined by Kunal Kapoor, CFA, CEO of Morningstar, to discuss the rise of AI and its role in financial markets. Kunal shares insights into Morningstar's mission to empower investor success. Tune in to learn more about the accelerating pace of change in the industry and how Morningstar is adapting to it.
11/29/23 • 20:46
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, is joined by Dan McGoey, CFA, a portfolio manager and analyst on the multi-asset investment team at Lazard Asset Management. They discuss real assets, which are companies or businesses with high-cost investments and long useful lives, such as those in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. They also explore different ways to invest in real assets, including through direct investment or listed securities. Tune in to learn more about real assets and Dan's experience investing in Latin America.
11/15/23 • 18:28
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Dr. Anja Hochberg, responsible for multi-asset solutions at Zürcher Kantonalbank. They discuss the challenges of setting asset mix in a volatile market, with topics including real estate, equity markets, and the uncertain global economic outlook. Dr. Hochberg explains the importance of multi-asset portfolios for both institutional and private clients and how they actively manage opportunities and risks. They also explore the migration away from traditional 60-40 portfolios for institutional investors and the drivers behind those changes. Tune in for expert insights on navigating today's investment landscape.
11/1/23 • 22:11
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, is joined by Mark Heppenstall, CFA, president and chief investment officer of Penn Mutual Asset Management. They discuss the nuances of managing money for an insurance company, highlighting the importance of managing assets to be in line with liabilities. Mark also shares insights on the current state of credit and bond markets, revealing where he sees value. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in insurance-focused investing.
10/18/23 • 20:58
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg, CFA, speaks with Rhodri Preece, CFA, and Ryan Munson from the CFA Institute Research & Policy Center about their report, Future State of the Investment Industry. The report explores four potential scenarios for the industry and how it may be shaped in the next five to ten years. They discuss the goals of the report and the research process involved. This episode provides valuable insights into the major trends and disruptors affecting the investment industry. Read the full report: https://cfainst.is/3PVMjm1
10/4/23 • 30:10
Host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Javier Gonzalez Lastra, CFA, a portfolio manager at Tema ETFs, about the investment potential of the luxury goods sector. Javier explains that while the luxury goods market is fragmented, companies like LVMH have managed to build large conglomerates. He discusses the reasons why his team at Tema decided to launch a luxury ETF, pointing to demographic trends like the growing purchasing power of females in the workforce and the rise of the middle class in Asia. Javier also touches on the pricing power of luxury goods, which is driven by their desirability and negative price elasticity.
9/20/23 • 22:25
In this episode of Guiding Assets, Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews the head of the global investment team at Orbis Investments, Simon Skinner, CFA. They discuss Orbis' unique approach to asset management, including refunding of performance fees in the case of underperformance. They also delve into Orbis' investment insights team and their use of data to make better investment decisions. Tune in to learn more about Orbis' progressive strategies in the investment industry.
9/6/23 • 23:17
In this episode of Guiding Assets, host Mike Wallberg is joined by serial entrepreneur and angel investor, Mac Lackey. With a background in starting, scaling, and selling multiple companies, Mac shares his secrets to success as an entrepreneur and investor. From his passion for soccer to his various ventures in the sports industry, Mac discusses his journey and the lessons he has learned along the way. Tune in to gain insights on achieving success in the business world.
8/9/23 • 29:57