Equity Mates Investing Podcast

Some of the best companies in the world pivot in order to drive their next phase of growth. It's with excitement that we have decided to pivot here at Equity Mates! Learn To Invest In 15 Minutes Or Less! We're going to bring you shorter, more frequent episodes, so you can learn more for less. Our episodes will be more specific, and direct, based on themes and topics that you've asked us to dive into. Don't worry, our interviews with the best in the business will remain the same. We kick off our new format by looking at the reporting season that just was. We look at two stocks that were standouts to us. In this episode you will learn: - Why Wesfarmers' profit was down ~84% but their share price still went up- There is a new agriculture superpower in town, and it's only getting bigger Stocks and resources discussed: - Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)- Costa Group Holdings (ASX:CGC)- https://www.commsec.com.au/reportingseason  

In this episode we sit down with the former Australian Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan. As Treasurer from 2007 to 2013, Wayne witnessed first-hand the devastation of the Global Financial Crisis and testament to his management, Australia was one of the only developed countries to avoid falling into recession. We sat down with Wayne to discuss what he is seeing in the global economy at the moment and to get his thoughts on some of the big financial topics of 2018. In this episode you will learn: The two biggest themes Wayne is watching in 2018 How Wayne thinks about money in politics and what can be done to limit its effect Wayne’s outlook on China The reforms Wayne wants to see for the Australian housing market Wayne’s thoughts on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies Stocks and Resources Discussed: The 0.01 Per Cent: The Rising Influence of Vested Interests in Australia – Wayne Swan John Curtain’s War: The coming of war in the Pacific and reinventing Australia – John Edwards Democracy in Chains: The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America – Nancy MacLean Shane Oliver’s Insights – AMP Capital Bill Evan’s Author Page – Westpac

Susan Oliver has experience on both sides of markets. As an investor she sits on the global investment committee of IFM Investors (a company with over $100 billion in assets under management!) and also co-founded Scale Investors, a venture capital fund for women-led start ups. As a company director she has sat on the boards of some of Australia’s largest companies, including Transurban, Bupa and Programmed. She also sits on the board of a number of not-for-profits including, the Wheeler Centre, the Melbourne Theatre Company and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Given her accomplishments as a businesswoman and investor, it was a pleasure to sit down with Susan and unpack some of the lessons she has learnt throughout her career.   In this episode you will learn: What a strategic asset is, and why Susan looks to invest in them Why only 10% of venture capital funding in Australia goes to women What the government needs to do to encourage Australian entrepreneurs Why Susan supports quotas for Australian company boards How IFM Investors factor ESG (Environmental-Social-Governance) criteria into their investing The strategy that drove Transurban to become one of Australia’s largest companies  

There are two main ways to make money with stocks. The first is from the capital growth, that is selling it higher than you bought it for and making a profit. The second way is through taking a share of the company’s profit. As an investor you are a part owner of the company, so when they make a profit, some companies decide to share that profit among all their investors, and this is paid in what is known as a dividend. Who doesn’t like free money?! Dividends are a great form of income for investors and something you should consider next time you’re looking to invest. In this episode you will learn: What a dividend is How you can make money from dividends What a dividend yield is Which companies pay dividends and which don’t Which companies are paying the highest dividend in Australia What franking credits are and how they impact your tax return  

  We’re back from our break and ready for a big 2018! What better way to start the year than to make some bold predictions about the year ahead and put some friendly bets on. We also put our stock picking abilities on the line as we each pick one stock to go head-to-head in 2018. In this episode you’ll learn: When Bryce expects the US market to crash (specifically to the day!) Why Alec thinks Amazon in Australia will be “all huff but no puff” in 2018 Why Bryce thinks 2018 could be a year of reckoning for Donald Trump Alec’s bold prediction for self-driving cars An Australian self-driving car company taking the fight to Google, Uber, Tesla and the rest Stocks on our radar for 2018 and the stock picks for our ‘mega bet’ Stocks and Resources Discussed: Stocks iSelect (ASX: ISU) Mayne Pharma (ASX: MYX) Saracen Mineral (ASX: SAR) Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) ResMed (ASX: RMD) US Equities Strong Bear ETF (ASX: BBUS) Resources Link to previous Equity Mates Thought Starters (website URL: http://equitymates.com/thoughtstarters/) Jeremy Grantham – Bracing Yourself for a Possible Near-Term Melt-Up (Also we’re sorry for the poor audio in places – the recording cut in and out at different times. Thanks for bearing with us for this episode. We’re doing all we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again)

With the silly season upon us now, and the year coming to an end, we have reviewed 2017 – the wins, the losses, and our biggest lessons learned. It’s been a fantastic year for Equity Mates, and big thank you to all that have joined us during the year. We’re going on a short Christmas break and will be back early 2018. In this episode you will learn: How successful our hypothetical portfolio has been over the year (you might be surprised!) Why Alec thinks 2017 was a year that disappointed The biggest investing lessons learned over the past 12 months How we think our investing styles have changed over the year What we are looking for in 2018 What we would say to ourselves 3 years ago Stocks and resources discussed: 4 stocks that have risen more than 1000%  Buffetology Essays of Warren Buffet The Acquirers Multiple Dreamland 

The stock market can be an emotional place, and often investing decisions are made based on emotion, and sub-conscious thought, or cognitive bias, with returns not always ending well! Recognising and understanding how you think when you invest, and how to avoid emotional traps, is vitally important for long-term success. This episode we talk with Meir Statman – an expert in behavioural finance, and understanding how investors think. Meir Statman is the Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at Santa Clara University. His research focuses on behavioral finance. He attempts to understand how investors and managers make financial decisions and how these decisions are reflected in financial markets. His most recent book is “Finance for Normal People: How Investors and Markets Behave.” The questions he addresses in his research include: What are investors’ wants and how can we help investors balance them? What are investors’ cognitive and emotional shortcuts and how can we help them overcome cognitive and emotional errors? How are wants, shortcuts and errors reflected in choices of saving, spending, and portfolio construction? How are they reflected in asset pricing and market efficiency? In this episode you will learn: The difference between a rose, a watch and a stock The major cognitive bias that investors fall victim to, and how to avoid them to improve your investing How to make sure you’re not eaten by the lions of the market What the ‘greater fool’ means, and how you can take advantage in your investing Stocks and resources discussed: Finance for Normal People: How Investors and Markets Behave

Tobias Carlisle has taken an interesting path to get where he is today. Starting his career as a lawyer in Queensland, Tobias is now a world-renowned value investor based in California. He has achieved a lot of recognition in the value investing community for his books Quantitative Value (2012), Deep Value (2014) and Concentrated Investing (2016). We spoke to him about the release of his latest book The Acquirers Multiple that distills a lot of his key concepts into one easy-to-read book aimed at non-investors. In this interview you will learn: The strategy Tobias uses that when backtested actually beats Warren Buffett and Joel Greenblatt’s strategies How Tobias made the change from a lawyer in Queensland to a value investor in California Why deep value investing has stood the test of time The idea of ‘broken legs’ and how Tobias eliminates them from his thinking How the Australian market compares to the rest of the world Stocks and Resources Discussed: Books (click links for more information) The Acquirers Multiple – Tobias Carlisle Deep Value – Tobias Carlisle The Little Book that Beats the Market – Joel Greenblatt The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life – Alice Schroeder What Works on Wall Street – James P. O’Shaughnessy Security Analysis – Benjamin Graham & David L. Dodd The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham Stocks Mentioned: Sina Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA) Wibo Corporation (NASDAQ: WB) Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP) Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN)

In the book Shopping for Shares, Tracey Edwards presents the 6 steps she uses to find companies to invest in. In this episode, we break down this 6 step checklist, define the key terms and explain what she’s looking for. While we don’t necessary agree with her whole approach, it is important to consider how different investors approach finding investable companies. As always, we also discuss what we’ve learnt in the past week and chat about some of the companies we’re keeping an eye on. In this episode you will learn: Another reason we’re so lucky to live in Australia Tracey Edwards’ 6-step stock screener Some key definitions of stock market terms 5 companies UBS predict will have a great 2018 Why Alec’s been thinking a lot about German dog food An Australian software company that is trying to take on the world Stocks and Resources Discussed: Shopping for Shares: The Everyday Woman’s Guide to Profiting from the Stock Market – Tracey Edwards  Adacel Technologies (ASX: ADA) AGL Energy (ASX: AGL) Aristocrat Leisure (ASX: ALL) BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) QANTAS Airways (ASX: QAN) Woolworths (ASX: WOW) Zooplus AG (ETR: DO1) Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2017 UBS names its best bets for 2018 (article behind paywall)

In the second part of our interview with Michael Dee we discuss his experience during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. As most investors fled from equity markets, Michael was gathering investors to start his own fund. In this interview we discuss what he saw that led him to predict a market crash, and what he learnt from that experience. Before listening to this episode make sure you check out Part 1 of our interview with Michael Dee In Part 2 of the interview you will learn: Why Michael quit his job in 2007 to start his own fund How his fund managed to outperform the market and most other funds in its early years Some of the key indicators Michael sees as pointing to another financial crisis Why Michael doesn’t recommend reading books about investing The key pieces of advice he thinks all young investors should follow His answer to a listener question about Volatility Stocks and Resources Discussed: Pythagoras Investing website  12 Early Indicators of the next GFC Equity Mates & Bellmont Securities Win $500 Competition  

Michael Dee sees markets differently to a lot of other investors. In 2008 while the global banking system was collapsing and investors panicked, Michael quit his job at the Queensland Investment Corporation to start his own fund. In the 10 years since Michael has established a unique way of timing the market by using volatility as a indicator for market events. In this two part interview with Michael we discuss his investing journey and get his thoughts on a number of different issues affecting markets today. His unique perspective was clear in this interview, and we walked away with a lot to think about. In part 1 of this interview you will learn: The meaning and importance of IPO windows Why Michael reads company prospectuses back to front (A prospectus is the document a company releases before they list on the share market) What Michael sees as ‘the investors dilemma’ and how he helps investors solve it The effect North Korea’s missile testing will have on markets Michael’s unique perspective on China What all Australians should know about the Chinese economy Stocks and Resources Discussed: Pythagoras Investing website  12 Early Indicators of the next GFC The Real Super Power is China Stock Market Cultural Chasm – Eastern versus Western Logic

Trying to save without sacrificing your current lifestyle is often one of the biggest hurdles you will probably have to overcome in order to hit your savings goals. However George Lucas, CEO of Acorns Australia, believes that his company’s micro-investing app Acorns is the perfect tool that not only helps you save without feeling the pinch but also helps to improve your understanding of the markets and your financial literacy. This week Bryce sits down with George to dissect his investing career and Acorns. In this episode you will learn: The best way to use Acorns, according to the CEO How George buys high, sells low (controversial, I know!) What George wishes people understood about the financial markets How markets have changed overtime How to build resilience in your portfolio Stocks and resources discussed: The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand (George’s ‘must read’ book) Acorns Australia Website

There is a lot of jargon and terminology in investing that can get confusing and sometimes off-putting. EPS, ROE, D/E – what do they all mean? These are just a few of many acronyms and terminology that is used when investors look to understand a company. You may never have heard of them, or may have but find them too complex to understand, but they are very important. That’s why in this episode we break them up for you, so you don’t have to. We look at 5 key metrics that are used industry wide, and provide you with simple explanations and examples. In this episode you will learn: How the US bank system is still rife with fraudulent activity One Belt, One Road – the trillions of dollars China is investing across the globe 5 key metrics all investors use to help them value, and analyse a company What stocks are on the watch list of Bryce and Alec Stocks and resources discussed: Bellamy’s Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) A2M Company (ASX: A2M) Altium (ASX: ALU)

For most AFL fans, Ted Richards is a household name. After being drafted to the Essendon Football Club and then being traded to the Sydney Swans, Ted enjoyed an unbelievable career that included a spot in the 2012 All-Australian team, playing in 3 grand finals and winning a premiership in 2012. While he was playing, Ted also finished a Masters of Finance and developed a passion for investing. In this episode we discuss this passion and what life after football is like for Ted. In this episode you will learn: Ted’s 4 point checklist for analysing potential investments How Ted balanced the demands of professional football with his interest in investing What an ‘Automated Investment Management Service’ is and how they differ from traditional financial advisors Ted’s approach to finding information related to companies and markets Ted’s pick for the AFL Grand Final Stocks and Resources Discussed: Books mentioned: One Up on Wall Street – Peter Lynch The Most Important Thing – Howard Marks Bulls, Bears & a Croupier – Matthew Kidman Hedgehogging – Barton Biggs Stocks Discussed: Catapult Australia website Six Park website The Richards Report iTunes page 

For Australians, there is probably no name or face more synonymous with investing and financial journalism than Alan Kohler. A long history of financial journalism has culminated in Alan doing the financial section of the 7 o’clock ABC news, and being known for his weekend overviews. In my house growing up, the 7 o’clock news was always watched, and Alan was known as the ‘graph man’ as he has become known for the interesting and insightful charts he shows viewers. Prior to being the face of finance on the ABC, Alan has had a long and storied career in financial journalism, including a stint as editor of the Australian Financial Review from 1985 to 1988. We were lucky enough to sit down with Alan and discuss all things investing. In this episode you will learn: Why Alan is disgusted with Warren Buffett Alan’s unique idea for dealing with automation Alan’s favourite chart and why he uses charts on ABC News The differences between markets in the 1980’s and now His thoughts on the dividends Australian companies pay His thoughts on Australia’s housing market Stocks and Resources discussed: Alan’s Must Read Books Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell Nasim Taleb – Black Swan Nasim Taleb – Antifragile Alan’s Favourite Chart – 3000 BC Interest Rates Alan’s 3 Australian Articles Land Tax: It might be time to tax land, instead of income Dividends: Dividend imputation encourages large payouts and curbs innovation Indexes: ETFs turn stockmarket into the ultimate Ponzi scheme