Episodes

A surprising number of mutual fund managers do not invest a single dollar in the funds they manage. Nate & Jason explain how this lack of “skin in the game” can impact performance. Also, Northern Trust’s Marie Dzanis offers her perspective on “smart beta” and spotlights two recently launched FlexShares ETFs tilted towards companies scoring high in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

Nate & Conor share their favorite investing quotes of all-time, explaining how each can make you a more successful investor. Also, Mike LaBella, Portfolio Manager at QS Investors, spotlights Legg Mason’s Low Volatility High Dividend ETFs.

Nate & Conor offer key takeaways from Morningstar’s annual ETF conference, where smart beta ETFs stole the show. Sal Bruno, Chief Investment Officer at IndexIQ, discusses a smart beta approach to bonds and spotlights the IQ Enhanced Core Bond U.S. ETF (AGGE) & IQ Enhanced Core Plus Bond U.S. ETF (AGGP).

We replay some of our favorite guest interviews from this past summer including PowerShares’ Tom Boccellari on generating portfolio income, Morningstar’s Ben Johnson discussing sustainable investing, and PureFunds’ Andrew Chanin spotlighting two unique ETFs.

Juan Carlos Artigas, Director of Investment Research at the World Gold Council, discusses some of the key drivers behind gold’s surge this year and explains how physically-backed gold ETFs are structured. Nate & Conor also spotlight the world’s largest gold ETF, the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD).

“Smart beta” ETFs have been one of the fastest growing segments of the overall ETF universe. Nate & Conor explain why traditional active mutual fund companies are launching, and investors are gravitating to, these ETFs. Also, Mike LaBella, Portfolio Manager at QS Investors, offers his views on the shortcomings of market cap weighting and spotlights the Legg Mason lineup of Diversified Core ETFs.

Disruptive innovation occurs when a game-changing innovation completely disrupts the status quo, turning an old way of doing business upside-down. Nate & Jason discuss investing in disruptive innovation, considering both the enormous upside and potential risks. Also, Cathie Wood, Founder & CEO of ARK Invest, offers her perspective on disruptive innovation and spotlights the ARK lineup of disruptive innovation ETFs.

A growing number of mutual fund companies are being hit with lawsuits from their own employees over the mutual funds being offered in their 401k plans. Nate & Conor explain the rationale behind these lawsuits and why they should get the attention of every 401k investor. Also, Frank Holmes, CEO of U.S. Global Investors, spotlights the U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS) and goes in-depth on the airline industry.

Recently, investors have been flocking to emerging market bonds. Nate & Jason explain why and walk through the basics of investing in this growing asset class. Also, Fran Rodilosso, Portfolio Manager at Van Eck, spotlights the Vectors Emerging Markets Investment Grade USD Sovereign Bond ETF (IGEM).

A growing area of investing is sustainable or socially responsible investing, where companies are screened based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Nate & Jason discuss the trends driving this expanding segment and explain how ETFs are at the forefront of helping investors reflect social views through their investments. Also, Ben Johnson, Director of Global ETF Research at Morningstar, discusses his recent article on the topic, offering perspective on the intersection of sus...

A recent PwC survey shows U.S. ETF assets are expected to nearly triple in the next five years, growing from approximately $2.3 trillion to $6.2 trillion by 2021. Nate & Conor explain the important role of investor education in reaching this impressive projection. Also, Greg King, Founder & CEO of REX Shares, spotlights the REX Gold Hedged S&P 500 ETF (GHS) and the REX Gold Hedged FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (GHE).

Recently, some media types, and even investment industry professionals, have suggested that ETF proliferation has gotten out of hand. Nate & Conor offer some rather pointed thoughts on this topic and wonder where the concern is over the roughly 8,000 mutual funds in existence. Also, Andrew Chanin, CEO of PureFunds, spotlights their Video Game Tech ETF (GAMR) and Drone Economy Strategy ETF (IFLY).

Bloomberg recently published “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Investors”, which offers seven simple ways to increase your odds of financial success. Nate & Jason offer their perspective on these personal finance basics.

Generating portfolio income might be the single biggest challenge facing investors right now. Nate & Jason explain the dilemma and discuss properly balancing risk and yield. Also, Tom Boccellari, Fixed Income Product Strategist at PowerShares, offers his perspective on the search for yield and highlights several income-focused PowerShares ETFs.

We revisit some of our favorite guest interviews from the first half of 2016 including Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas, Abnormal Returns’ Tadas Viskanta, and ISE ETF Ventures’ Kris Monaco.

Emerging markets can offer diversification benefits and growth potential in your portfolio. We discuss the recent performance of emerging market stocks, current opportunities, and risks. Also, Kevin Carter spotlights EMQQ the Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF (EMQQ).

The financial media parades out experts to make market predictions, but are those predictions any good? Who holds these experts accountable? Nate and Conor discuss. Also, Christian Magoon, Founder & CEO of Amplify ETFs, spotlights the Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY) and offers his perspective on the current ETF landscape.

International stocks can play an important role in a well-diversified portfolio. We explain why and offer some tips for selecting international stock ETFs. Also, Steven Schoenfeld, Founder & CIO of BlueStar Global Investors, spotlights the BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ).

According to a Charles Schwab investor study, the vast majority of millennials view ETFs as the core investment type in their portfolio in the future. We discuss the reasons why and offer some important tips to millennial investors. Annie Wyatt, CEO of CrowdInvest, spotlights the CrowdInvest Wisdom ETF (WIZE).

Behavior is one of the few things you can control in investing. We discuss several common behavioral biases that negatively impact your investment returns and offer some tips on how you can overcome these biases. Sean O’Hara, Director of Pacer Financial, also spotlights the Pacer lineup of strategy-driven ETFs.

Meb Faber, Co-Founder & CIO of Cambria Investment Management, discusses his new book “Invest with the House“. What if you had information allowing you to invest with the smart money managers? Meb explains how investors can copy the stock picks of some of the world’s most successful investment managers. Nate & Jason also spotlight several ETFs that play on a similar theme including GURU, ALFA, & IBLN.

While bonds do not typically generate the excitement of stocks, they are a no less important part of your portfolio. We explain the key reasons to own bonds and discuss potential benefits of bond ETFs. Also, Matt Tucker, Head of iShares Fixed Income Strategy, offers his perspective on the current bond market, discusses individual bonds versus bond ETFs, and spotlights several iShares bond ETFs including AGG, TIP, & FLOT.

Smart beta ETFs are one of the fastest growing segments of the investment world. We explain the basics and offer some thoughts on whether these ETFs may be right for you. Also, Jay Jacobs, Director of Research at Global X, discusses multifactor ETFs, including spotlighting Global X’s lineup of Scientific Beta ETFs.

Kris Monaco, Head of ISE ETF Ventures, discusses the incredible innovation occurring in the ETF space and how investors benefit. ISE partners with a number of ETF providers and has been involved in one of the most successful ETF launches ever, the PureFunds Cyber Security ETF (HACK). Nate and Jason also spotlight the First Trust ISE Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY).