Enterprising Investor

In this episode of the Enterprising Investor podcast, guest host Ryan Munson discusses the 2024 edition of the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index with Mercer's Executive Director of Investments and Global Chief Investment Strategist, Rich Nuzum, CFA. Rich, who has extensive experience in providing investment advice and leading long-term savings reform projects, shares insights into the key features of robust pension systems and the challenges faced by underperforming ones.

Founder and CEO of Essentia Analytics, Clare Flynn Levy, joins Mike Wallberg, CFA, to discuss the concept of the behavioral alpha score, a metric designed to assess an investor's decision-making skill. Drawing from her experience as an active equity fund manager, Clare explains the origins of the behavioral alpha score and its significance in the pursuit of sustainable investment alpha in an increasingly competitive landscape. She emphasizes that traditional methods of generating alpha, such as superior information, are no longer effective, highlighting the importance of understanding and improving one's own decision-making processes. Tune in to explore how behavioral analytics can enhance investment strategies and decision making.

Stephen Foerster, CFA, discusses his new book, "Trailblazers Heroes and Crooks: Stories to Make You a Smarter Investor."  In the book, Professor Foerster shares intriguing stories that illustrate valuable lessons for investors, drawing from diverse topics such as professional sports, fraud cases, and even wildlife encounters. The conversation kicks off with a fascinating tale involving Warren Buffett's early investment in the 1960s, featuring the notorious figure Tino DeAngelis and an anonymous tipster known as The Voice. Dr. Foerster emphasizes the importance of learning from history beyond just financial metrics, encouraging investors to consider the broader context of their decisions. Tune in for a rich discussion about the lessons that can be gleaned from both triumphs and missteps in the investment world.

Mike Wallberg welcomes senior Bloomberg writer Stephanie Baker to discuss her new book, "Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia." The book offers an in-depth analysis of the West's response to Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Stephanie shares insights from her extensive reporting and how her experiences in Moscow during the 1990s shape her perspective on the drastic economic shifts resulting from the invasion. The conversation delves into the profound implications of this geopolitical crisis and the end of Russia's 30 years of economic integration with the West. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the efforts to confront Russia in the wake of the invasion.