Blog: Cutting Through the Noise

Words of Wisdom

What's Going on Warren?

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on October 3, 2008

Warren Buffett was recently interviewed by Charlie Rose. For investors looking for some clarification and insight into what’s currently going on in the United States, the exclusive conversation is an hour well spent. Some advice from the sage: “You want ...

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Sowing the Seeds

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on September 4, 2008

I came across a great quote today and it is totally applicable to the market environment we find ourselves in.  It comes from Tim McElvaine’s newsletter ( www.mcelvaine.com ).  He in turn got it from an interview with Chris Davis ...

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Fees Don't Matter...Wanna Bet?

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on June 13, 2008

Will a collection of hedge funds beat the S&P 500 over the next 10 years?  Warren Buffett doesn’t think so.  And he’s willing to bet on it, to the tune of a million bucks. Buffett put his own cash on ...

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George and Ben - Take a Holiday (Part II)

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on January 24, 2008

A friend of mine who lives in the U.S. sent me a comment on my last blog that is worthy of a posting of its own. She is witnessing first-hand the fallout in the housing market and has a few ...

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What's Going on Out There?

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on January 22, 2008

It’s times like these that test our patience as investors. As of yesterday’s close, the TSX had dropped more than 12% since the beginning of the year. Last year’s gains were gone in a mere three weeks. The S&P 500 ...

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No U.S. Equities Please

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 12, 2007

We are not a big firm and don’t talk to thousands of investors on a daily basis, but Chris, Scott and I do talk to a fair number. From our conversations, there is one theme that recurs constantly. I DON’T ...

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Poolside with David Swensen

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on October 3, 2007

I got an email from Neil on Saturday afternoon: From: njensen@steadyhand.com Subject: Words of wisdom from Swensen Body: Read while watching Claire at swimming today (p.60): "Sensible investors pursue diversification as a policy to reduce risk, not as a tactic ...

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Words From the Oracle

Excerpt from Chris Stephenson's blog on September 7, 2007

If you search for the definition of the word oracle, a lot of interesting definitions come up. Here are a few I handpicked: 1. a) prophet: an authoritative person who divines the future. b) a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) ...

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The Shareholder Letter You Should, But Won't, Be Reading Next Spring

Excerpt from Scott Ronalds's blog on August 9, 2007

Here's a real beauty that made the rounds at Steadyhand: The Shareholder Letter You Should, But Won't, Be Reading Next Spring . If you want to see the circus, there's no need to go to the big tent...there's plenty of ...

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Bubbles, Animal Spirits and Other Depressing Stuff

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on May 7, 2007

One of my favourite investment writers is Jeremy Grantham, who is one of the founders and still a driving force behind GMO, a very successful investment manager. In addition to regularly reading his quarterly piece, I’ve met Jeremy and seen ...

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Too Good to be True

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on December 22, 2006

I came across a wonderful quote yesterday. I was reading a piece I'd found on the Tocqueville Asset Management website (www. tocqueville.com) written by their Chairman, Francois Sicart. "I never invest in a situation in which I cannot lose money" ...

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If It Isn't Worth Doing...

Excerpt from Tom Bradley's blog on July 4, 2006

"If something isn't worth doing, it isn't worth doing well." This is one of my favourite Charlie Munger lines and I think it's very applicable for those of us who manage money, for clients or just for ourselves. Specifically, I'm ...

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