We compare three approaches to closed-end fund investing: Opportunistic trading, the buy and hold income factory, and a systematic approach of selling closed-end funds after 5% gains. We also explore the pros and cons of closed-end funds relative to open-end mutual funds and ETFs. Show Notes The Closed-End Fund Market, 2023—Investment Company Institute The Income Factory: An Investor’s Guide to Consistent Lifetime Returns by Steven Bavaria—McGraw-Hill Companies Retirement … [Read more...]
516: What Trump Wants Part 2 – How Trade Deficits and Capital Flows Can Harm or Help Countries
How trade deficits are making the U.S. poorer, while in the past they have made the U.S. wealthier. Topics covered include: Two ways countries can increase their competitiveness How savings always equals investment Why excess savings flows to the U.S. leading to a drop in U.S. domestic savings Why the U.S. current trade situation could lead to a debt crisis Show Notes Why U.S. Debt Must Continue to Rise by Michael Pettis—Carnegie Endowment Could Trump devalue … [Read more...]
515: Tariffs and the Mar-a-Lago Accord: What Trump Really Wants
How the Trump administration is using tariffs as a negotiating tool to weaken the U.S. dollar and increase the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Topics covered include: Why U.S. stocks are falling, and recession risk is increasing How the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency is becoming a burden on the U.S. How the Trump administration aims to reduce its trade deficit and make it less attractive for foreign governments to own U.S. assets What are the risks of … [Read more...]
514: Why Japanese Stocks Could Outperform with Howard Smith – FEG Insight Bridge
This week on episode 514, we share a conversation between Howard Smith of Indus Capital and Greg Dowling of FEG Investment Advisors on why Japan could surprise investors over the next decade with strong investment returns. David introduces the episode by sharing his key takeaways from the discussion. FEG Investment Advisor is David's former institutional advisory firm, where he worked for 17 years, before founding Money for the Rest of Us. Greg Dowling is Chief Investment Officer of FEG, and … [Read more...]
513: Crypto—Innovation or Insanity? Meme Coins, Hacks, and Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
We consider the incongruency of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the latest crypto exchange hack, and how most participants lost money on the Trump meme coin. Given all that, we review some areas where cryptocurrency is helping individuals and businesses. Topics covered include: What is the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Why it makes little sense for the U.S. and individual states to create and participate in a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve What led to the latest and largest … [Read more...]
512: Unlocking Hidden Returns—How Mortality Credits Boost Retirement Income
How using a deferred income annuity can increase retirement income compared to an immediate annuity or a bond ladder. Topics covered include: How immediate annuities and deferred income annuities work What are mortality credits, and why they are a key diversifier Examples of how mortality credits lead to a 1% to 1.5% higher annualized return over several decades How to decide whether an annuity is right for you Show Notes Post: No, really. Deferred income annuities … [Read more...]
511: What Are Sovereign Wealth Funds and Does the U.S. Need One?
The U.S. and the UK each announced they were establishing sovereign wealth funds. We explore the purposes and types of sovereign wealth funds, how they invest, and some concerns with the U.S. establishing one. Topics covered include: What are the four types of sovereign wealth funds, and why the U.S. doesn't fit the typical use case How sovereign wealth funds navigate between politics and generating high returns Why a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, depending on its size, could … [Read more...]
510: Contrarian Investing with GMO’s Ben Inker – FEG Insight Bridge
This week on episode 510, we share a conversation between Ben Inker of GMO and Greg Dowling of FEG Investment Advisors on contrarian investing, deep value stocks, and the rise of passive investing. David introduces the episode by sharing his key takeaways from the discussion. FEG Investment Advisor is David's former institutional advisory firm, where he worked for 17 years before founding Money for the Rest of Us. Greg Dowling is Chief Investment Officer of FEG, and David's former business … [Read more...]
509: How to Invest in Private Credit / Direct Lending?
We explore what private credit, or direct lending, is and how to invest in it. We also show how it is similar to and different from investing in leverage loans and CLOs. Topics covered include: Why more companies are staying private How private credit differs from the leverage loan market Why private credit is growing so rapidly What are the benefits to private credit investing What are liquid and less liquid ways to invest in private credit Show Notes The … [Read more...]
508: Who Should Bear the Cost? Socialized vs. Market-Based Risk Management
Natural disasters are becoming more severe and costly—who should bear the financial burden? We explore the tension between socialized risk and market-based insurance. Topics covered include: The surprisingly large percentage of natural disaster losses that are uninsured Why natural disaster severity is increasing A deep dive into the complexity of the home insurance market, including state-run home insurance plans How California has tried to update its home insurance … [Read more...]
