Blog: Cutting Through the Noise
Globe and Mail Articles
Check Your Emotions at the Border, the U.S. Looks Good
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on November 26, 2011
A year ago, I wrote a column inspired by a holiday in Arizona (my in-laws have that effect on me). The piece attempted to level a rather tilted picture of the United States, one that was firmly focused on dismal economic and political news. I suggested that from...Read More
When Dividend Investing Doesn't Pay Dividends
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on November 12, 2011
I recently watched a promotional video that outlined the reasons for owning dividend-paying stocks – tax-efficient income, lower volatility and you get paid to wait for markets to recover. I agreed with all the fund manager's points, but he failed...Read More
The Dangerous Rise of an Obsession with Safety
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on October 29, 2011
“Creep.” The dictionary defines it as a "slow and stealthy movement." To me, it’s something you don’t notice while it’s happening, but later when you do, you go "Wow!" If you think about our lifestyle, we've slowly moved to a place where jeans are...Read More
Resolving the Conflict Between Good Advice and Running a Business
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on October 15, 2011
I’ve written in the past about the tension between the investment profession and the investment business. As asset managers, we need to find a balance between managing portfolios to achieve the best return for our clients, and making a profit for...Read More
Investing Certainties in an Era of Economic Doubt
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on October 1, 2011
“In calmer moments, investors recognize their inability to know what the future holds. In moments of extreme panic or enthusiasm, however, they become remarkably bold in their predictions: They act as though uncertainty has vanished and the...Read More
Where to Find Sanity Among the Sound Bites
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on September 17, 2011
“Isn’t it funny when you walk into an investment firm and see the financial advisers watching CNBC. It gives me the same feeling of confidence I would have if I walked into the Mayo Clinic and the doctors were watching General Hospital.” This little...Read More
Beyond the Paper Chase: Getting Your Big Break in Finance
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on September 3, 2011
I got turned on to finance while stumbling through my MBA at the University of Western Ontario. I suddenly found myself reading Report on Business right after the Sports section (go figure). When it came to finding a job, I got lucky. There weren't many...Read More
When Fear Rules the Market, it's Time to Say 'Buy'
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on August 21, 2011
In light of the recent weakness and volatility in the stock market, both statements are particularly poignant. It’s easy to agree with the logic and simplicity of Warren Buffett, but not so easy to behave like him. My former partner's shaking hand reinforces...Read More
The Danger of Being Spooked by Doom and Gloom Headlines
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on August 6, 2011
“Hey Tom, how was your holiday? The weather’s been great – skiing conditions must have been calm?” “Oh Ralphie, it was amazing. Two weeks of Crystal Lake at its best. I’m totally decompressed. But what about you man? You’re looking pretty ragged...Read More
Five Predictions for the Wealth Management Industry
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on July 23, 2011
I recently spoke at a conference about the future of the wealth management industry. It was a good audience, but a bad gig. No matter what I said, I was sure to be wrong about some things. As Yogi Berra said, "It1s tough to make predictions, especially...Read More
Of Cash and Quality Stocks
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on July 8, 2011
Are you confused? I certainly am. It’s not clear whether investors are on a risk-taking binge, or are battening down the hatches for another market decline. There is plenty of evidence in support of the risk binge. Technology IPOs are coming out at exotic...Read More
Beware the Distortions of Too-low Interest Rates
Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on June 24, 2011
We’ve had low interest rates for years, and really low rates for almost three. We’re used to them, and may even be getting complacent. I had more questions and concerns from clients about rising interest rates a year or two ago than I do now. Well, I’m here to...Read More
