Why do so many investors follow the crowd—even when history shows that's often the worst thing to do?

In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, David Coombs examines Benjamin Graham's timeless advice on independent thinking and explains why exceptional investment returns require the courage to reach your own conclusions.

From Mr Market and intrinsic value to Warren Buffett's disciplined approach, this episode explores the psychology behind successful investing and why popularity is never a substitute for sound analysis.

If you enjoy value investing, behavioural finance, and long-term investing, this episode is packed with timeless lessons from the world's greatest investors.

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Markets move in cycles — but human behaviour doesn’t. In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore why periods of boom and bust have repeated throughout financial history with remarkable consistency, despite changing industries, technologies, and narratives.

From euphoric speculation to fear-driven sell-offs, we break down the psychological forces that drive market extremes and why they so often lead to mis-pricing on both sides. Drawing on the principles of value investing and the insights of Benjamin Graham, we examine how optimism quietly transforms into excess during booms, and how panic creates opportunity during busts.

We also look at why most investors struggle to navigate these cycles in real time — and how discipline, patience, and a focus on intrinsic value can create a lasting edge when others are pulled in by emotion.

Ultimately, this episode is about perspective: understanding that while markets evolve, the cycle of greed and fear remains constant — and that recognising this pattern is one of the most powerful advantages an investor can have. 

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Investing is often presented as complex, technical, and highly specialised — but is that complexity always necessary?

In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we examine the gap between genuine financial complexity and the way investing is framed, explained, and sold. While markets themselves involve uncertainty and real analytical challenges, much of long-term investing success can be traced back to surprisingly simple principles: buying productive assets, staying diversified, keeping costs low, and exercising patience.

We also explore the structure of the investment industry itself — and how incentives, language, and jargon can shape the perception of complexity. From technical terminology to active management fees and advisory systems, we ask whether complexity sometimes serves a purpose beyond improving investor outcomes.

Drawing on evidence from long-term fund performance and the philosophy of Benjamin Graham, this episode challenges the assumption that successful investing must be complicated. Instead, it highlights a more uncomfortable possibility: that simplicity, discipline, and consistency may already be enough — even if that message is less commercially appealing.

Ultimately, this is an episode about clarity. About stripping away unnecessary noise. And about understanding what investing really requires once everything non-essential is removed.

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Why do some investors remain passionate about markets for decades, while others become exhausted chasing returns?

In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore an often-overlooked idea: the importance of enjoying the process of investing rather than becoming obsessed with the proceeds.

Drawing on the examples of Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Charlie Munger, and Peter Lynch, we examine why curiosity, patience, and genuine interest may be far greater advantages than greed, anxiety, or the fear of missing out.

Because investing is not simply about reaching some distant financial destination. It's about developing habits, knowledge, and a mindset that make the journey itself worthwhile.

Along the way, we'll discuss why people who love what they do often become exceptionally good at it, why patience is easier when you're genuinely fascinated by businesses, and why perhaps the greatest investors aren't chasing money at all—they simply love the game.

Topics covered:

• Why enjoyment and curiosity create long-term advantages
• Warren Buffett and the joy of studying businesses
• Why obsession with outcomes can lead to poor decisions
• The connection between passion, patience, and success
• How market downturns become easier when you enjoy the process
• Why life—and investing—is largely about the journey, not the destination
• The timeless value of maintaining a curious mind

Because while markets rise and fall, fortunes come and go, and stock prices fluctuate endlessly, a curious mind never really retires.

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Artificial intelligence is widely viewed as one of the most transformative technologies of our time. But history reminds us that revolutionary innovations and speculative excess often arrive together.

In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore the remarkable parallels between today's AI boom and the railway mania that preceded the financial crisis of 1873. While the technologies are separated by more than a century, the behaviour of investors may be surprisingly familiar.

We examine how enthusiasm for railways fuelled massive investment, soaring valuations, and widespread speculation before the eventual collapse. We then compare those events with today's excitement surrounding artificial intelligence, semiconductor companies, data centres, and the race to dominate the future of AI.

Along the way, we discuss why being right about a technology is not always the same as being right about an investment, the importance of valuation discipline, the dangers of leverage and FOMO, and why history suggests that only a handful of companies may ultimately capture most of the value created by a technological revolution.

Whether you're an investor, student of financial history, or simply curious about the AI revolution, this episode offers timeless lessons on speculation, innovation, and intelligent investing.

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In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore one of the most misunderstood concepts in all of investing: risk.

Many investors believe risk simply means volatility or short-term price declines. But as Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, and Howard Marks have repeatedly argued, true investment risk is far more complex — and often far less visible.

We examine:

•  Why volatility is not necessarily the same as risk 
•  The difference between temporary declines and permanent capital loss 
•  How speculative bubbles distort investor perception 
•  Why leverage quietly increases fragility 
•  The dangers of overconfidence and herd behaviour 
•  How inflation can erode wealth despite apparent “safety” 
•  Why institutions often misjudge risk 
•  The importance of margin of safety in value investing 
•  How investor psychology shapes market cycles 

This episode is a deep dive into risk perception, behavioural finance, value investing principles, and long-term capital preservation.

If you want to become a more rational and disciplined investor, understanding risk properly is essential.

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In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore one of the most practical — and most widely misunderstood — investing strategies: dollar-cost averaging.

Rather than attempting to predict market highs and lows, dollar-cost averaging focuses on consistency, discipline, and long-term participation. We examine why this simple approach can help investors manage emotion, reduce the pressure of market timing, and build wealth steadily over time.

Along the way, we also discuss:

• Why market timing is so difficult
• The psychological benefits of systematic investing
• The difference between lump-sum investing and DCA
• How dollar-cost averaging fits within value investing
• Why behaviour often matters more than precision

This episode is not about finding the perfect moment to invest — it’s about building a process that works even when markets are uncertain.

A thoughtful discussion for long-term investors seeking clarity, discipline, and a more sustainable approach to wealth creation.

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Peter Lynch is often remembered as one of the greatest growth investors of all time — but was he actually a value investor in disguise?

In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we explore the investing philosophy of Peter Lynch and examine how his approach blended elements of both growth and value investing. From his famous “buy what you know” principle to his use of the PEG ratio and focus on understandable businesses, Lynch developed a style that challenged traditional investing labels.

We discuss:

• How Peter Lynch managed the Fidelity Magellan Fund to extraordinary success
• Why Lynch focused on simple, understandable businesses
• The meaning behind the PEG ratio and “growth at a reasonable price” (GARP) investing
• How Lynch balanced growth potential with valuation discipline
• The similarities — and differences — between Lynch, Benjamin Graham, and Warren Buffett
• Why value investing is broader than simply buying “cheap stocks”
• The lessons modern investors can still learn from Lynch today

This episode is a deeper look into one of the most influential investors of the modern era — and why his philosophy still matters for long-term investors navigating today’s markets.

Intelligent investing is not about labels. It’s about understanding value, price, and opportunity.

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In this episode of Intelligent Investment Today, we complete our trilogy of financial statement analysis by exploring the cash flow statement through the lens of Benjamin Graham.

Why do experienced investors place so much importance on cash generation? Because while profits can be adjusted and narratives can mislead, cash flow often reveals the underlying economic reality of a business.

We examine operating cash flow, free cash flow, capital allocation, financing decisions, and the critical difference between accounting profits and genuine financial strength. A deep dive into one of the most powerful tools in intelligent investing.

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Benjamin Graham believed that intelligent investing begins with understanding the real economics of a business.

In this episode, we explore the income statement and the critical role it plays in determining intrinsic value. From stable earnings and operating margins to interest coverage and accounting scepticism, we examine how Graham-style investors separate durable businesses from temporary success stories.

A discussion on financial discipline, long-term thinking, and the enduring importance of earning power.

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