Invest With Clarity

Avoiding The Pitfalls of Benchmarking (Ep. 99)

Stepping out of the shadow of comparison is not easy, be it life or investing. It is crucial to remember that every portfolio is unique, just like the individual.  In this episode, Mark Pearson and Chuck Etsweiler discuss the concept of benchmarking and comparison in investing. While benchmarking can hinder clarity and progress toward financial goals, they emphasize the importance of self-awareness and understanding one’s own portfolio. They also discuss the advantages of separately managed accounts (SMAs) and the need for collaboration with professionals in different areas to provide a comprehensive financial strategy. Mark and Chuck discuss:  * The concept of benchmarking and comparison in investing in relation to your portfolio * The importance of seeking clarity and understanding one’s own portfolio, whether you have a financial planner or not * Why comparison killed the cat * Importance of self-awareness and surrounding oneself with the right people in this industry * Constructing uniquely designed portfolios and partnering with other disciplines * And more Connect With Chuck Etzweiler: * Email Chuck [cetzweiler@investwithclarity.com]  Connect with Mark Pearson:  * Nepsis® [https://www.investwithclarity.com/]  * Email Mark [mpearson@investwithclarity.com] About Our Guest:  With more than three decades of investment industry experience, Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT directs the ongoing research efforts of the firm, much of which help both advisors and clients understand the philosophy and strategy of Nepsis® in a deeper manner.  A high percentage of the focus of the research is centered around money manager pitfalls, investor shortcomings and repetitive behavioral biases that detract clients from earning optimal returns.

Predictions, Pitfalls, and Profits: Your Guide to Smarter Investing (Ep. 98)

Do you truly understand your investments? In this revealing episode, Mark Pearson and Chuck Etsweiler dive into the often misunderstood world of investing, examining why even seasoned investors and financial advisors stumble. They question common beliefs about market predictions, the role of financial advisors, and why so many investors are left in the dark about their own portfolios. Throughout this episode, Mark and Chuck discuss: * Why you should know what you own and why you own it  * How to avoid falling into “market prediction” traps  * Why it’s important to stay invested especially during downturns * How a strong asset allocation strategy can be your financial safety net * And more! Resources:  * Nepsis® White Paper: Why Addiction To Prediction Is Detrimental To Your Investing Health [https://nepsisinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NEPSIS%C2%AE-Addiction-to-Prediction%C2%AE-2021.pdf] * Monte Carlo Simulation  [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/montecarlosimulation.asp] * Investopedia [https://www.investopedia.com/] * “Behaving Badly” – 2006 Study by James Montier [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228224407_Behaving_Badly] * Dunning-Kruger Effect [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect] * May 6, 2010 “Flash Crash” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_flash_crash#:~:text=The%20May%206%2C%202010%2C%20flash,lasted%20for%20approximately%2036%20minutes.] Connect With Chuck Etzweiler: * Email Chuck [cetzweiler@investwithclarity.com]  Connect with Mark Pearson:  * Nepsis® [https://www.investwithclarity.com/]  * Email Mark [mpearson@investwithclarity.com] About Our Guest:  With more than three decades of investment industry experience, Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT directs the on-going research efforts of the firm, much of which help both advisors and clients understand the philosophy and strategy of Nepsis, Inc. in a deeper manner.  A high percentage of the focus of the research is centered around money manager pitfalls, investor shortcomings and repetitive behavioral biases that detract clients from earning optimal returns.

Navigating Media Influence on Investments: Facts vs. Fear (Ep. 97)

When it comes to media hype and its influences on investments – can you separate facts from fear? In this episode, Mark Pearson and Chuck Etsweiler dive into media hype, its potential impact on investment choices, and the dangers of getting swept up by it. Drawing parallels between media tendencies and the saying “disasters come in threes,” Mark and Chuck critically examine how fear-based reporting can skew perceptions and decision-making. Throughout this episode, Mark and Chuck discuss: * The widely discussed concern of National Debt and its perceived impact on individual investments * The “Recession Obsession” and the misconceptions surrounding its real implications * Bank failures: separating media speculations from the broader market and business potential * Key observations that despite ongoing media frenzy, several indexes remain near their peaks * The critical distinction between investing in the market vs. in businesses * And more! Resources:  * Wall Street Journal Article On U.S. Debt Default Impossibility [https://www.wsj.com/articles/default-on-u-s-debt-is-impossible-deficit-treasury-cbo-janet-yellen-supreme-court-constitution-public-debt-clause-federal-reserve-328dafe5] * NBER: National Bureau of Economic Research [https://www.nber.org/] * Fourteenth AMendment Section 4: Public Debt [https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-4/#:~:text=Section%204%20Public%20Debt&text=But%20neither%20the%20United%20States,be%20held%20illegal%20and%20void.] * Pet IQ [https://petiq.com/] * Harry Dent [https://harrydent.com/] Connect With Chuck Etzweiler: * Email Chuck [cetzweiler@investwithclarity.com]  Connect with Mark Pearson:  * Nepsis® [https://www.investwithclarity.com/]  * Email Mark [mpearson@investwithclarity.com] About Our Guest:  With more than three decades of investment industry experience, Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT directs the on-going research efforts of the firm, much of which help both advisors and clients understand the philosophy and strategy of Nepsis, Inc. in a deeper manner.  A high percentage of the focus of the research is centered around money manager pitfalls, investor short-comings and repetitive behavioral biases that detract clients from earning optimal returns.

Unravelling the Indexing Conundrum: A New Perspective with Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT (Ep. 96)

Do you need clarification about the indexing conundrum?  The concept of indexing raises intriguing questions and challenges in today’s dynamic market. Join Mark Pearson and Chuck Etzweiler in this episode as they dive into the indexing issue and its impact on portfolio performance. They uncover the valuable lesson of clarity in understanding why your portfolio is going up or down and discuss the difference between market cap-weighted and equally weighted indexes, highlighting the potential risks of benchmarking portfolios to indexes over shorter periods. Mark and Chuck discuss:  * the power of transparency and flexibility in investing * why buying businesses at a historical discount can lead to long-term success * Why clarity overrides the conundrum * valuable insights for your investment journey * And more Connect With Chuck Etzweiler: * Email Chuck [cetzweiler@investwithclarity.com]  Connect with Mark Pearson:  * Nepsis® [https://www.investwithclarity.com/]  * Email Mark [mpearson@investwithclarity.com]

The Lost Art of Investing Part 2 with Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT (Ep. 95)

As Chuck Etzweiler states in this episode, human beings were created to thrive on relationships and rely on interaction with other humans, not AI. Artificial Intelligence allows for a less emotional experience and can taint several processes they create. In this episode, Mark Pearson speaks with Chuck Etzweiler to discuss the art versus the science of investing and the potential for AI to replace financial advisors and portfolio managers. They then analyze the ETF AIQ, which uses artificial intelligence to select securities and question its performance metrics and claims of superiority. Mark and Chuck discuss:  * The importance of human interaction and communication in investing * Reaching clients’ long-term goals through a process of questioning, understanding and planning * How to filter out artificial intelligence in the workplace when it is at the forefront of clients’ minds * And more Resources:  Connect With Chuck Etzweiler: * Email Chuck [cetzweiler@investwithclarity.com]  Connect with Mark Pearson:  * Nepsis® [https://www.investwithclarity.com/]  * Email Mark [mpearson@investwithclarity.com] About Our Guest:  With more than three decades of investment industry experience, Chuck Etzweiler, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, CMT directs the on-going research efforts of the firm, much of which help both advisors and clients understand the philosophy and strategy of Nepsis, Inc. in a deeper manner.  A high percentage of the focus of the research is centered around money manager pitfalls, investor short-comings and repetitive behavioral biases that detract clients from earning optimal returns.