Biography
Tom Brakke, CFA, helps investment firms and the buyers of their services to improve decision processes and effectively communicate their ideas internally and externally. At times during his career, Tom has been an analyst, portfolio manager, director of research, creator of investment products, professor, and consultant (including for the Global Research Analyst Settlement). Brakker writes extensively about the business on his blog about the research puzzle and his newsletter, The Prudent Fiduciary Digest.
Most asset management organizations take risks in the market, but Tom Brakke, CFA, says that taking risks in other ways will be necessary to survive the disruption ahead.
“Cash is trash” goes the saying in the market these days. Cash in a bank account yields virtually nothing, and near-cash investment vehicles like money market funds and certificates of deposit offer the prospect of paltry returns. No wonder… READ MORE ›
Individual investors should not be afraid to hold cash, even when it’s earning little, if it’s available to them when needed most. Investment professionals should get away from misguided notions about how much cash is too much cash in a portfolio.
There are few people, whether individual investors or professionals in the field, who make investment decisions entirely on their own.
Those working in the investment business have a wide variety of resources that they can tap. In today’s world… READ MORE ›
Tom Brakke, CFA, discusses why understanding the nature of the person giving you advice is very important, no matter what type of investor you are.
Following his keynote speech at the 65th CFA Institute Annual Conference in May, James Montier was asked about the models that he uses to analyze investment opportunities. He described them as “valuation-based models that simply split returns down… READ MORE ›
“Show me how” should be the mantra of all investors. For decisions big and small, examining the assumptions behind the predictions can tell you a great deal about the potential risks and rewards of an investment.