Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Beyond the Sound Bite: An Interview with George Milling-Stanley

The Bard once wrote, "All that glitters is not gold". The precious metal may glitter uniquely among assets, but how does one measure the value of gold? Can one measure the value of gold?

In my interview with the Managing Director, Government Affairs for the World Gold Council, key factors in assessing the precious metal are explored. Additionally, understanding the role of gold and central bank's reserves ("The Importance of Gold in Reserve Asset Management") is discussed*.

Beyond the Sound Bite podcast interviews can be found at the Blue Marble Research media blog. To listen to this interview, click here.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Beyond the Sound Bite: An Interview with William Hartung

Too big to fail. Think it pertains only to the banking industry? Think again.

With the defense budget representing a very large chunk of the US federal pie, it behooves all investors to better understand this vital area of US government, not to mention the US economy. From his most recent book, "Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex", key aspects of President Eisenhower's final speech warning is fleshed out by the defense expert with the "New America Foundation". The consequences of actions - economic and geo political - go far beyond the industry itself and cannot be overstated.

Beyond the Sound Bite podcast interviews can be found at the Blue Marble Research media blog. To listen to this interview, click here.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Beyond the Sound Bite: An Interview with Robert Arnott

To most investors, including many investment professionals, indexes are constructs designed to track a defined area of the economy, usually via financial assets. Yet, "indexing as an investment concept" is far more prevalent than most realize.

In my interview with the co-author of " The Fundamental Index" and Chairman, Founder of Research Affiliates, we explore such areas as efficient indexing, the market inefficiencies that result from cap weighted indexes, and RAFI, the Research Affiliates Fundamental Index approach to investing. For those interested in understanding an investing methodology that large institutional investors such as PIMCO utilize, this interview will open the door to a fascinating and largely under-appreciated segment of the financial markets.

Beyond the Sound Bite podcast interviews can be found at the Blue Marble Research media blog. To listen to this interview, click here.