Steadyhand Podcasts

In this podcast, we discuss Warren Buffett's recently published annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. We posted a series of blogs last week on Buffett's recap of Berkshire's operations in 2008, and Tom's Globe and Mail column on the weekend highlighted some of the valuable perspectives and insights that make the letter unique. In this, our last posting on the topic (we promise), Tom explains what draws him to Buffett and why he commends his calmness, candidness and common sense approach toward investing. He also expands on Buffett's view that the investment world has gone from underpricing risk to overpricing it, among other observations. Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

2008 was an ugly year in the capital markets.  In particular, heavy losses were experienced in the fourth quarter, as widespread de-leveraging and indiscriminate selling took place.  Yet, every major market decline presents opportunities and investors should ensure their portfolios are well positioned for the 'other side of the valley'. In this podcast, we review the fourth quarter and provide our thoughts on the markets going forward. Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

In this podcast, I expand on my latest Globe and Mail column, where I identify three reasons why investors should be looking beyond the doom and gloom: (1) stock and corporate bond valuations are very attractive, (2) investor sentiment is close to maximum bearishness, and (3) there’s a mound of cash building up on the sidelines.  Investors need to put some perspective on the dire headlines.  At some point, stocks and corporate bonds stop going down on negative news.  They begin to look forward to better times ahead.  It’s time to start preparing for the other side of the valley. Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download).

In this podcast, Tom chats with Wil Wutherich, the manager of the Small-Cap Fund, about the fund's performance in 2008, the current opportunities in the market, and some of the fund's larger holdings. Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS. 

Edinburgh Partners' Christine Montgomery was in town last week to present on the Global Equity Fund.  Tom also had a chance to sit down with her to discuss the fund's performance and some of the investment strategies that our Scottish partners are pursuing. Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

In this podcast, we review the second quarter of 2008 and touch on some highlights from our recently published Quarterly Report (available on the Forms & Documents page). Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

The third quarter of 2008 was an extraordinarily volatile period in the equity markets.  In this podcast, we review the quarter and touch on some highlights from our Quarterly Report, which we will be publishing next week.  Listen now (the file may take a minute or two to download), or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

By Scott Ronalds It was a strong start to the year for stocks around the globe, with the MSCI World Index gaining 10% (in Canadian dollar terms). U.S. and Japanese stocks were among the top performers, while Canada was one of the weaker performing markets (up 3%) as a result of its heavy weighting in gold and mining stocks. Bonds also had a positive quarter, albeit a much more modest one, led by a strengthening in corporate and provincial bond prices. Our funds fared well in the quarter, with a tilt towards foreign stocks and corporate bonds being key factors. As for asset mix, we continue to recommend a full allocation to stocks (in relation to your long-term asset mix), a below-average position in bonds and a healthy cash weighting. As a reminder, this positioning is best reflected in the Founders Fund. In this podcast, we review the quarter in further detail and highlight some of the key takeaways from our Quarterly Report. Download, subscribe via iTunes or RSS, or listen now:

By Scott Ronalds Stock markets have rebounded 25-35% since the lows reached in March.  Feeling uneasy about the recent bounce?  In this podcast, Tom expands on his recent Globe and Mail column and provides some advice to investors who are unsure what to do at this point. Listen now or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.

By Scott Ronalds In this podcast, Tom expands on his latest Globe and Mail column, which focuses on the traits that he looks for in a money manager.  More specifically, he highlights two things that he watches for and studies very intently: 1) the temperament of the manager, and 2) their investment process (is it repeatable and does it stand up in times of stress?). Listen now or subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes or RSS.