Month: February 2024

Compelling Investment Opportunities in Today’s Market with Ryan Issakainen (Ep. 45)

Compelling Investment Opportunities in Today’s Market with Ryan Issakainen (Ep. 45)

In today’s rapidly evolving market landscape, investors are often confronted with the challenge of making informed decisions amidst a plethora of options and the noise of market fluctuations.

In this insightful episode of The Millionaire Next Door, Robert Curtiss is joined by certified financial analyst and ETF analyst at First Trust, Ryan Issakainen. Together, they jump into the intricacies of thematic investing — a strategy that can potentially offer investors a pathway to capitalize on emerging market trends. 

By dissecting the impact of behavioral biases on investment choices, Ryan provides listeners with strategies to identify undervalued companies that may thrive even in light of economic downturns. 

Rob and Ryan discuss:

  • Thematic investing and market opportunities
  • The composition of ETFs and the importance of quality and risk management in investment decisions
  • The future of infrastructure investment and the strategic shift in supply chains within the United States
  • Looking beyond the S&P 500 for investment opportunities
  • Cybersecurity as an increasingly vital investment theme
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ryan Issakainen:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Ryan Issakainen is in his 25th year at First Trust, where he serves as the ETF Strategist. 

Throughout his enduring tenure, Ryan has solidified his position as a dedicated professional committed to guiding investors through the complexities of the market. In his role, he focuses on providing insightful perspectives to help investors navigate the multitude of available choices, aiming to align ETF selections with their specific investment objectives. 

With a wealth of experience, Ryan’s strategic approach involves meticulous analysis of market trends and fund performance, making him a trusted advisor. His enduring commitment to empowering investors reflects not only his financial acumen but also his genuine passion for assisting clients in realizing their financial goals within the dynamic landscape of investment opportunities. Ryan Issakainen’s journey at First Trust stands as a testament to his expertise and unwavering dedication in the ever-evolving world of finance.

Learn How Alternative Investments Can Strengthen Your Portfolio with Joe Carey, CFA® (Ep. 44)

Learn How Alternative Investments Can Strengthen Your Portfolio with Joe Carey, CFA® (Ep. 44)

Alternative investments are investments that only some people hear about often.

But we can change that…

With a commitment to assist clients throughout their investment journey, in this episode of The Millionaire Next Door, Robert Curtiss sits down with Joe Carey,  alternative investment specialist at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC.

Rob and Joe explore the role of alternative investments in portfolio diversification, covering private equity, private credit, real estate, and hedge funds. They tackle the complexities and due diligence required in these less regulated spaces, emphasizing the importance of professional guidance. 

Talking points include:

  • What are alternative investments
  • Characteristics and challenges associated with alternative investments
  • Benefits and risks linked to less liquid and less regulated assets
  • Recommendations for portfolio allocation
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joe Carey:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

In May 2018, Joe Carey earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance at Siena College, achieving the Academic Excellence Award – Finance, which is awarded annually to the graduating student with the highest program GPA. 

Since graduating, he has committed to continuing his education through enrollment in the CFA Program, obtaining his charter in 2022. Currently, Joe is an Investment Officer at NYSTRS in the Investment Risk division, where he focuses on the ~$150 billion portfolio’s active risk, liquidity position, solvency during stressed markets, and asset allocation mix. 

Additionally, Joe is a leading member in the development of NYSTRS’ climate risk strategy, reporting, and assessment processes.

Preserving Capital in Retirement with David Marra (Ep. 43)

Preserving Capital in Retirement with David Marra (Ep. 43)

Have you considered the significance of safeguarding your capital and managing risks during retirement? How does capital preservation play a role in maintaining a stable stream of income?

Join Rob Curtiss and his guest, David Marra, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Markin Asset Management, LP, as they navigate the connection between finance and technology, specifically delving into David’s expertise in quantitative investment research and machine learning. 

But that’s not everything! David and Rob also explore the importance of capital preservation and effective risk management, focusing on ensuring a stable stream of retirement income. 

Rob and David touch on:

  • David’s career and how it led to his focus on capital preservation and quantitative investment research
  • The importance of capital preservation leading up to retirement
  • Mitigating risk during market volatility
  • Ways the pandemic impacted investment strategies
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with David Marra:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

David Marra is the Chief Investment Officer at Markin Asset Management, LP.  David has been an invited speaker on quantitative asset management at numerous family offices, hedge funds, conferences, and organizations, including ALTSLA, NAPFA, and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). 

Throughout his career, David has developed a unique ability to explain complex portfolio concepts in a language allocators can use in client communications. David previously founded a quantitative research firm serving institutional asset managers and funds. His three decades of experience include advising C-level executives at some of the world’s leading asset management and pharmaceutical firms as a Principal with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). 

Earlier in his career, he was the Founder & CEO of a search engine technology firm overseeing over 70 researchers and technologists. David received an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, where he was a Fellowship recipient.