SKEPTIC’S GUIDE TO INVESTING

<p>Straight Talk for All, Nonsense for None<br><br>About - Our podcast looks to help improve investing IQ.  We share 15-30 minutes on finance, market and investment ideas. We bring experience and empathy to the complex process of financial wellness.  Every journey is unique, so we look for ways our insights can help listeners. Also, we want to have fun😎<br><br>Hosts - Meet Steve Davenport, CFA and Clem Miller, CFA as they discus the latest in news, markets and investments.  They each bring over 25 years in the investment industry to their discussions.  Steve brings a domestic stock and quantitative emphasis, Clem has a more fundamental and international perspective. They hope to bring experience, honesty and humility to these podcasts. There are a lot of acronyms and financial terms which confuse more than they help. There are many entertainers versus analysts promoting get rich quick ideas. Let’s cut through the nonsense with straight talk!<br><br>Cover - The podcast art takes you climbing up the staircase of life.  Stairs can be difficult and you need to hold on for your balance. Our advice is the trusted handrail which you can count on for support. As the journey can be difficult, it is great to have some straight talk and no nonsense.<br><br>Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.</p>

Asia’s Investment Risks & Opportunities, with Dr. James Thorne

Embark with us on a financial expedition through Asian markets. We are joined by Dr. James Thorne of Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, who guides us through a landscape rich with both promise and peril. We evaluate how Japan's strategic regional alliance with the U.S. and Australia, plus the sustained market reform tailwind from the Three Arrows of Abenomics, opens up new investment opportunities with Japanese firms. We also briefly consider India’s opportunities. We con...

05-22
39:08

European Investment Risks & Opportunities with special guest, Dr. James Thorne

Embark on an expansive journey to travel through the economic and political landscape of Europe and the Middle East, including a foray into energy geopolitics, with the esteemed Dr. James Thorne and our seasoned co-hosts Clem Miller and Steve Davenport. We reflect on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine cut off the supply of cheap energy to European industries, damaging their competitiveness, and upended global energy markets. We highlight North America’s emergent status as an energ...

05-22
34:15

Fed-Watching: Meager Actionable Insight

In this episode, Clem Miller and Steve Davenport address a key investor question: Just how actionable is the economists’ and strategists’ standard playbook of intense “Fed Watching”? Steve and Clem challenge the myopic view, reinforced by business media, that somehow the Fed is an all-seeing puppeteer controlling U.S. and global financial markets. Steve and Clem point out that for investors to make any money on Fed decisions depends on their being able to make quick ma...

05-15
28:18

Alphabet's Gemini AI: Key to the Firm’s Tech Future

Prepare to peer into the crystal ball of technology's future as Clem Miller and Steve Davenport, dissect Alphabet's latest developer conference bombshell, the generative AI phenomenon Gemini. This episode reveals how Alphabet's AI brainchild is shaping up to be core to the evolution of Google Search, Android, and other Alphabet products, giving OpenAI a run for its money. We'll navigate the intricate dance of AI and hardware, examining Alphabet's budding alliance with NVIDIA and their h...

05-15
22:57

The Return of Meme Stock Mania?

Unlock the secrets behind the meme stock madness. Steve Davenport and Clem Miller take a whirlwind tour through the rise and reign of stocks like AMC and GameStop, dissecting the cult followings these companies have garnered, thanks in part to mysterious Reddit icons such as Roaring Kitty. We contrast these phenomena with giants like Berkshire Hathaway, Tesla, and Nvidia, and ponder whether zeal among their investors brand them as semi-meme stocks. Delving deeper, we discuss how the mem...

05-15
21:54

Mastering Wealth Management with Frazer Rice

Skeptic’s Guide to Investing hosts Frazer Rice, the seasoned Director of Family Office Services at Next Capital Management and author of "Wealth, Actually”. Fraser helps us explore complexities of wealth management. Peer into the holistic approach required to harmonize investments, cash flow, and estate planning with your personal values—a symphony of strategies tailored for everyone from the mass affluent to the ultra high net worth. Frazer shares his emphasis on the power of meaningf...

04-10
50:06

Honoring the Work of Daniel Kahneman, the Founder of Behavioral Economics

Unlock the secret to smarter investment decisions as Steve Davenport and I celebrate the groundbreaking and Nobel-winning work of Daniel Kahneman, the father of behavioral investing. We dissect the intricate dance of human biases and investment decision-making. We bring Kahneman's legacy vividly to life, as we delve into the ways in which his psychology-rooted insights—particularly regarding loss aversion—continue to mold our financial pursuits and quest for happiness....

04-03
37:33

The Strategic Role of Gold in Investment Portfolios

Unlock the secrets of gold as an investment with Steve Davenport and Clem Miller, as we venture beyond common misconceptions to reveal gold’s appropriate role. From the possibility of gold being the ultimate protector of wealth during severe economic or geopolitical upheaval, to historical instances where governments have stepped in and seized private gold holdings, we cover it all. Our conversation navigates the performance of gold versus stocks in various inflation scenarios, an...

04-03
33:27

Bridging the Gap: Investing in Infrastructure

Discover pivotal lessons from the heart-rending bridge disaster in Baltimore as Clem Miller and Steve Davenport consider the urgent call to action it represents for infrastructure investment and maintenance. In the wake of this calamity, we delve into the development of essential systems such as harbors and examine the economic and safety consequences of neglecting such critical structures. As we seek out potential solutions, our conversation serves as a homage to the lives lost and a s...

04-03
25:12

2024 Election: Will Third Party tip the balance?

Prepare to navigate the complex waters of the 2024 elections with us . We're tackling the factors that are shaping the presidential race, including age, legal woes, persistent (though improved) inflation, and a booming stock market. Our discussion zeroes in on the curious case of third-party candidate Robert Kennedy, who might just tip the scales in this election. Peeling back the layers, we examine historical instances where third-party candidates have left a mark on election outcomes,...

03-13
25:58

Investing Acumen: Optimal Stock Exits

Unlock the secrets of smart stock exits and options trading with the formidable expertise of Steve Davenport and his co-host Clem Miller. In a spirited exchange, we peel back the layers of using call options to gracefully bow out of stock positions, all while potentially padding your returns and softening the tax blow. Steve guides us on selecting the right options that go well with your target prices and volatility—especially when earnings announcements loom large on the horizon. We don...

03-13
26:20

Netflix and the Battle for Streaming Supremacy

Netflix isn't just a streaming service; it's an empire. But how does it fare when thrown into the arena with Disney, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and the others? Clem and Steve tear apart the streaming service battlefield to reveal Netflix's tactics for maintaining its lead, boasting a mighty 260 million subscribers worldwide. We're not just talking numbers; we take you behind the scenes of Netflix's international content and marketing strategy—could this be the secret weapon that gives the platf...

03-13
20:08

QuickTake: The Downside of Passive Investing

Do you have a major cash outlay looming? Do you want to stay invested in stocks but are concerned that, in the meantime, a large market drop will leave you with insufficient assets? If so, passive investing may not be for you. That's because passive investing mimics the ups-and-downs of a market index such as the S&P 500. It provides no downside protection. Instead, you might want to invest in a more defensive actively-managed portfolio. This QuickTa...

02-28
03:15

Harnessing Hedging Techniques to Secure Your Portfolio in Uncertain Times

Discover the strategic moves to protect your investment portfolio with the insights of Steve Davenport, as we tackle the complexities of hedging in turbulent times. Amidst the cacophony of global conflicts and whispers of recession, this episode of Skeptics Guide to Investing becomes your beacon of clarity. Join us, as we reveal why liquidating assets isn't the only answer for investors bracing for a storm, especially those with taxable assets or those eyeing retirement without relinquishing ...

02-14
11:54

Evaluating the Investability of Banks Amidst Financial Turbulence

Could your hard-earned money be doing more for you outside the banking sector? That's what Clem and Steve dissect in an eye-opening chat about the investability of banks, especially given the recent tremors felt across financial institutions like Silicon Valley Bank and New York Commercial Bank. We're breaking down the recent bank failures that have sent ripples through the investment community, scrutinizing the resilience of regional bank stocks, and questioning the allure of banking i...

02-14
14:48

Microsoft at the Helm of Tech Innovation

Unlock the future of tech and investment strategies with us, Steve Davenport and my co-host Clem Miller, as we dissect Microsoft's bold strides in the realms of generative AI, cloud computing, and the electrifying gaming industry. We lift the veil on the tech titan's alliance with OpenAI, dissecting how tools like Co-Pilot could transform everyday software suites. Delve into the complexities of AI regulation and its ripple effects across giants of the industry, courtesy of the EU's Digital Se...

02-14
11:04

Nvidia’s Command in GPUs and AI: Strategic Investing Opportunity

Unlock the secrets behind NVIDIA's breathtaking ascent as we explore the company's grip on AI and GPU markets . With his deep insights, we navigate the powerhouse's role in gaming, crypto mining, and how its software, specifically CUDA, is at the forefront of AI development. Join us for a compelling dialogue on the driving forces behind NVIDIA's stock rally, and why this tech titan's narrative is one you can't afford to miss.This episode isn't just about NVIDIA's skyrocketing success; it's ab...

02-14
19:02

Exploring the Investment Potential of GLP-1 Obesity Drugs: A Healthcare Revolution

Unlock the transformative power of GLP-1 based obesity drugs with your guides, Clem Miller and Steve Davenport, as we navigate their remarkable impact on healthcare and investment landscapes alike. Prepare to be enlightened on the dual benefits these treatments offer for diabetes and obesity, and the industry titans leading the charge—Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. We've dissected the science, sifted through financial forecasts, and even charted the course for potential investors looking to capi...

01-31
26:22

Delving into the Viability of Meta's Ventures

Discover the intricate workings of a social media colossus as Clem Miller joins us to dissect Meta Platforms, the company soaring past a $1 trillion market cap. Our conversation takes you behind the scenes of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, revealing how these household names translate likes and shares into a torrent of advertising revenue. As election year fervor mounts and events like the Olympics are set to spike ad spending, we scrutinize Meta's position amidst this bustling marketplac...

01-31
21:47

Reviewing Your Investment Statements

Unlock the secrets of financial wellness with us, Clem Miller and expert Steve Davenport, as we guide you through the must-knows of investment statement reviews for the year ahead. Imagine a world where you effortlessly finesse your asset allocation for both strong growth and steadfast safety. Together, we dissect the nuances of investment fees, shining a light on how they nibble away at your returns and why embracing low-cost index funds and ETFs could be your ticket to financial savvy. With...

01-31
28:24

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