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53. Invested - February 24, 2023

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why the North American red squirrel may be an unlikely role model for investor behaviour, why an understanding of how external factors impact mental health could help to decrease the economic burden, and the Fed's "reaction function" and what this could mean for financial markets.

52. Invested - January 27, 2023

How can investors navigate the unpredictability of financial markets? Why is it important for government leaders to view mental health with a wider societal lens? How might the macroeconomic climate benefit active investment strategies? Find out in this week's issue of Invested!

51. Invested - December 30, 2022

What are three reasons for the persistence of the diversification premium? How are financial markets like the World Cup? What are some key takeaways from 2022 financial markets? Find out in this week's issue of Invested!

How can you amplify your investment portfolio using an unconventional approach? Why is financial literacy important for generational wealth? Should the Phillips curve be resurrected? Find out in this week's issue of Invested!

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how kill criteria can help in the fight against your behavioural biases, as well as the remarkable strides in the problem-solving abilities of machine-learning algorithms.

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how the FOMC's policies could negatively affect asset prices, why we think leverage aversion creates persistent alpha opportunities for risk parity portfolios that harvest volatility scaling, and how the Canadian Men's Health Foundation's is using digital programs to help men and their families live healthier.  

47. Invested - August 26, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the unintended risks lurking in fixed income markets, the mathematics behind decision making, the benefits of having a "cockroach" portfolio that can stay alive through anything, and Distress Centre Calgary's Lend An Ear campaign to raise support and funds for mental health and crisis support services.

46. Invested - July 29, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the role of contrarianism when it comes to successful investing meant for longevity, the reasoning behind the current challenges of the supply and demand feedback loop relating to the energy industry, an explanation of our Risk Parity strategy, and how Viewpoint might be able to help your family in The Great Wealth Transfer. 

45. Invested - July 15, 2022

Invested will be taking a brief intermission this week, but don’t worry, we’ll be back on July 29th with fresh insights and financial market commentary. In the meantime, enjoy our latest blog post and some of the recent articles we’ve been invested in. Happy Stampeding, folks!

44. Invested - July 1, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we feature an interview of Keith McLean, our Executive Vice-President, who covers commodity allocation during an inflationary period, Viewpoint's effective risk management strategy in a financial environment where the Fed put may be kaput, that your personal psychology may be the reason behind your worst investments, and a nature immersion program to improve you or your companies mental health.

43. Invested - June 17, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how dynamic risk models, like Viewpoint's risk parity strategy, reduces risk from a conventional "balanced portfolio", that fixation and responses to the most recent behaviour of financial markets exposes one to fragility in other scenarios, and how shrinkage methods help us to better understand asset allocation outcomes (and Viewpoint's accompanying white paper).

42. Invested - June 3, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the "Fed put" and its influence on economic conditions, the S&P GSCI Dynamic Roll Breakfast index, how we can use the Bayesian method to improve our reasoning, and how we can help prevent men's suicide with the Buddy Up Campaign.

41. Invested - May 20, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we share an interview done by our President and CEO, Rob Van Wielingen, on the history, future and values of Viewpoint Investment Partners, and we discuss the misalignment in SPACs, and the importance of understanding limitations on control in unstable systems.

40. Invested - May 6, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss using commodities to give your portfolio a fresh start, the impact of stagflation on investment returns, and the efforts of Impact Society to improve youth mental health throughout Alberta.

39. Invested - April 22, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss that risk takes on many forms and must be looked at from different perspectives, that great leaders don't always know the answer, and that the complexity of financial markets may be understood through simple models.

38. Invested - April 8, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the futures curve in commodity trading, China's contribution to a longer-term inflationary risk, the presence of wicked problems in the investment management space, and the work of the Canadian Women's Foundation pushing to achieve gender equality throughout Canada.

37. Invested - March 25, 2022

Invested will be taking a brief intermission this week, but don’t worry, we’ll be back on April 8th with fresh insights and financial market commentary. In the meantime, enjoy some of the recent articles we’ve been invested in.

36. Invested - March 11, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss "dragon king" events and how they can potentially identify large market catastrophes, why Russian bonds are now about as useful as confetti, how reducing downside exposure can ensure investors' unique needs (e.g. cash flow) are being met, and Russia's contribution to the "coal comeback."

35. Invested - February 25, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why equity duration isn't a thing (hint: bond math doesn't work well for equity markets), what makes deflation a key value statement for most crypto currencies, why the Fed may make a policy error in the near future, and the phase transitions facing various institutions and sectors - even philanthropy.

34. Invested - February 11, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how shrinkage methods help us to better understand asset allocation outcomes (and Viewpoint's accompanying white paper), the impact of inflation on growth and value stocks, how thinking fast (not slow) can provide quality outcomes, and the reasons for Alberta's first budget surplus since 2014.

33. Invested - January 28, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why we won't be seeing ETFs distorting the stock market anytime soon, which half of the brain is the "master" when it comes to investing, how China's water supply could eventually become a global concern, and some of the amazing work and programs offered by Hospice Calgary over the last 30 years.

32. Invested - January 14, 2022

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the missing piece of the ESG framework, why you shouldn't trust the old "buy low sell high" myth, how investors can easily fall victim to "market cartels," and the alarming deficiencies that exist within ESG investing.

31. Invested - December 31, 2021

Invested will be taking a brief hiatus this week, but don’t worry, we’ll be back on January 14th with fresh insights and financial market commentary. In the meantime, enjoy some of the recent articles we’ve been invested in.

30. Invested - December 17, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why adding a risk parity strategy to an investment portfolio could be a more efficient way for investors to keep return expectations anchored without increasing concentration risk to the equity risk factor, why Adam Smith's belief that barter preceded the creation of money was incorrect, how the Family Enterprise Foundation is attempting to build stronger communities by helping family businesses succeed and flourish, and why mainstream investment into powerful technologies (such as AI and machine learning) is a double-edged sword. 

29. Invested - December 3, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the importance of diversification for capital stewardship and how Viewpoint constructs investment strategies to harvest diversification premiums, what we can learn from rats when it comes to the behaviour of rational investors, and some new IT investments which will provide a huge beneift to Alberta's economy. 

28. Invested - November 19, 2021

Invested will be taking a brief hiatus this week, but don’t worry, we’ll be back on December 3rd with fresh insights and financial market commentary. In the meantime, enjoy some of the recent articles we’ve been invested in.

27. Invested - November 5, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why Viewpoint follows the mantra "own the commodity, not the company" when discussing inflation protection, three ways that library donors are supporting the Calgary community, the Fed’s response to the increasing U.S. debt to GDP ratio, and the Market’s emergent (aka. unpredictable) properties.

26. Invested - October 22, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss Viewpoint's recent contribution to the Haskayne School of Business, how utilizing a judicious amount of leverage can help investors diversify their portfolio without sacrificing return expectations, and why some demographic trends are causing concern in long-term forecasts.

25. Invested - October 1, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how purposefully-built investment strategies can protect against behavioural biases, why noisy data can lead to incorrect judgement, how the nefarious collider bias exists within investing, and China's recent decision to ban Bitcoin (again).

24. Invested - September 17, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss Harvard University's decision to divest from oil and gas, how panic selling could be detrimental, Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies, Anscombe's Quartet and why it is significant for analyzing data, and whether this current inflationary period is transitory.

23. Invested - September 3, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why old school funds might have trouble implementing a quant team, the rise of malicious 'greenwashing' practices, why the study of financial diversification is not yet a 'closed book', the impacts of youth disillusionment, and Afghanistan's untapped goldmine of mineral resources.

22. Invested - August 20, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the effect of equity market valuations on predicting returns, the asymmetric behaviour of humans regarding upside and downside financial risk, and the political ramifications of the recent uptick in Canada's Consumer Price Index.

21. Invested - August 6, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why investors should be paying close attention to inflation, whether or not you should hold government bonds in your investment portfolio, and the importance of Calgary's IMPACT Society and their Heroes program. Additionally, we explore the question, "Is it more beneficial to invest in infrastructure or innovation?" 

20. Invested - July 23, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss potential dangers of Canada's collective investment in real estate, the Dunning-Kruger effect, and the impact of interest rates on bond returns. We also answer the question, "Do equity valuations matter anymore?"

19. Invested - July 9, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss Homo economicus and evolutionary finance, the effects of commodities on the non-commodity sector, and Momentum's Tech Plus program. We also explore the question, "Should you be wary of ESG investing and, if so, what should you look out for?"

18. Invested - June 25, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the future of Canada's energy sector, the "enhanced interrogation" and subsequent misinterpretation of data, and the possibility that Bitcoin may be the key to a clean energy future. We also answer the question, "Is the Bitcoin carry-trade really broken?"

17. Invested - June 11, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the importance of supporting family enterprises, a surprising silver lining to higher interest rates, and how you can construct your portfolio to harness a larger diversification premium. We also answer the question, "Why do people hate inflation?"

16. Invested - May 28, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss whether the recent uptick in inflation is transitory (or not), a bold plan for the global energy sector to reach net zero by 2050, and the return to traditional ESG investing. We also answer the question, "What can we learn from split-brain patients about the fallacy of narrative?"

15. Invested - May 14, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we explore the environmental footprint of mining Bitcoin, an impending global oil supply crisis, the potential pitfalls of basing your investment decisions on the narratives of market participants, and the structural complexities of financial markets. We also discuss an important initiative coming up in June: The Buddy Up Campaign!

14. Invested - April 30, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss how Canada's new climate strategy might not be the death sentence for Alberta's oil and gas sector that it seems, how the ever-growing global wealth gap is being exacerbated by COVID-19, and why Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) may not be the diversification tool you're looking for. We also answer the questions, "Has the Yale Endowment Model become outdated?" and "Are ESG-focused investment strategies really as beneficial as they seem?"

13. Invested - April 16, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Strategy, the implosion of Archegos, Canada's lockdown debt, biases in artificial intelligence, and the potential future of global oil demand.

12. Invested - April 2, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the attributes that make great thinkers, Canada's housing boom, and some potential drawbacks of factor investing. We also answer the questions, "Why didn't you buy Amazon in 1999?" and "What are target-date investment funds?"

11. Invested - March 19, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss global trends in productivity, explore optimal position sizing for your investment portfolio, and reflect back on the last year with COVID-19. We also answer the question, "What is the Kelly Criterion?"

10. Invested - March 5, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the effects of the pandemic on the housing market, the benefits of adding ETFs to your portfolio, and Calgary's own Studio Bell and the National Music Centre. We also answer the questions, "What does the recent yield spike mean for investors?", "Should you trust a backtest?", and "How does Canada's pension model measure up?"

09. Invested - February 19, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss why a plain stock/bond portfolio might not cut it in the current market environment, the trend of uncertainty in markets and society, the impacts of an increasing global debt, and the tech industry in Alberta. We also explore the question, "Should investors hold crypto currencies in their portfolios?"

08. Invested - February 5, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the mechanics of short selling, the impact of technology and democratization of information on the stock market, and advancements in natural language processing and its effect on financial markets. We also explore foreign direct investment in Canada and the value of bonds in your investment portfolio.

07. Invested - January 22, 2021

In this issue of Invested, we discuss a pitfall of investing in cryptocurrencies, why it's important to stick with a systematic approach when investing, and the significance of "Nordicity" in the American political sphere. We also provide insight into the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business (CCAL) and answer the question, "What is Data Charlatanism?"

06. Invested - January 8, 2021

In this issue of Investedwe discuss five critical considerations for Alberta's future, the growth in the global supply of money, the effect of the news on behavioural biases, and the relationship between fake news and artificial intelligence. We also answer the questions, "What is the zero lower bound?" and "Does Bitcoin have a place in investor portfolios?"

05. Invested - December 11, 2020

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the complexities of investing with Robinhood, the concept of inflation, some similarities and differences between Trump and Biden's foreign policies, and the benefits of utilizing leverage in your investment portfolio. We also answer the question: "What is recursion?"

04. Invested - November 27, 2020

In this issue of Invested, we explore building your investment portfolio like a soccer team, quant investing, a work-from-home tax, and the Sharpe ratio. We also introduce you to a new monthly segment: INVESTED in Community.

03. Invested - November 13, 2020

In this issue of Invested, we explore the future prosperity of Alberta, the benefits of hiring a trader versus executing trades in-house, Monte Carlo simulations, value stocks versus growth stocks, the influence of the government on financial markets, and the Market Incentive Loop.

02. Invested - October 30, 2020

In this issue of Invested, we discuss the current fiscal situation in Canada, Simpson's Paradox, why investing in solely the domestic stock market can be detrimental, how diversification can benefit your portfolio, and the reasons to own bonds.

01. Invested - October 16, 2020

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newsletter. Invested will bring you thought-provoking, curated content (along with our synthesis) on the latest and greatest from around the world. The content will be aligned with Mac’s focus areas and will also include insights from the VIP team on portfolio management, the investment business, capital stewardship, data science, and technology.

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