Become a member. Sign up here

Become a member

Already a member? Sign in

The Economic Analyst

Economy

Predictions and analysis of the current and future drivers of economic growth in Canada and the world.
Archives >>

Investing

Thoughts on building your portfolio: asset allocation, stocks, bonds, commodities, speculative investments, gold/silver.
Archives >>

Primers

Mandatory reading for anyone new to the site. These articles are a one-stop overview of the macro factors affecting the Canadian economy.
Archives >>
- Primer Articles
  - What is deflation?
  - The dangers of mass psychology (or why overwhelming majorities are always wrong)
- Video Primers
  - New Video Primer- CMHC
  - Toronto condo data; China about to hit a wall?; Fiscal austerity to weigh on public sector jobs; The Age of Deleveraging; Another video primer

Real Estate

A focus on Canadian real estate and a possible 'made in Canada' housing bubble: Discussion, analysis, predictions and advice.
Archives >>

Social Trends

Predictions and discussion on the changing nature of societal norms: frugality, savings, social unrest, austerity, etc.
Archives >>
- Global Trends
  - Steve Keen discusses debt, housing, and the economy
  - Employment number misses consensus; US consumers cutting back....will Canadians follow?; Another great CMHC video
- Canadian Trends
  - The social fallout of a dying credit bubble
  - If you, personally, want a “soft landing” you had better make sure you have a good parachute.

Tag: ETF

Profiting from mass psychology

SEPTEMBER 09, 2010
As a follow up to our last primer, I figured I should elaborate on a very short-term strategy I have found quite profitable in the past. Remember that overwhelming majorities in financial markets must always be wrong. This is one of the great paradoxes in investing and is why you should NEVER follow the crowd.
Continue reading
Building a winning investment portfolio: Part 1

DECEMBER 29, 2010
This is the first of a three-part series. Please also check out part 2 and part 3. Investment portfolios I was inspired by a recent BMO press release to revisit the topic of asset allocation and building an investment portfolio.
Continue reading
Reader question about stock picking and stocks I own

APRIL 30, 2011
Reader DB sent me the following email: "Hi Ben I'm really enjoying your website. I noticed in your article about building an investment portfolio that you recommend using ETFs to build an investment portfolio but in other articles you talk about stock picking. Can you share some of the stocks in your portfolio and how you chose them and perhaps explain when it makes sense to use an ETF and when it makes sense to pick stocks?"
Continue reading