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The Meb Faber Show - Better Investing

Jack Vogel - “(Factor Timing?) It's Next to Near Impossible" | #61

The Meb Faber Show - Better Investing

The Idea Farm

Management, Business, Investing

4.8978 Ratings

🗓️ 12 July 2017

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In Episode 61, we welcome Jack Vogel, CFO/CIO of Alpha Architect, and the partner of Wes Gray, who you may remember as one of our earliest Meb Faber Show guests. After Jack tells us a bit about his background and how he came to be at Alpha Architect, Meb jumps in, starting with "factors" - specifically, the value factor. Meb asks about Jack's value philosophy in general, and how he creates a value portfolio. What follows is a great look at how a professional portfolio manager/asset allocator creates a portfolio. Using quantitative tools, Jack starts by constructing the universe of potential assets to include, keeping in mind scale. Next, Jack applies some forensic accounting in order to exclude certain toxic assets that one wouldn't want in a portfolio. Then, he screens for value. Jack likes using enterprise multiples. Finally, he looks for "quality." These are things like free cash flow, margin growth and marketing stability. Meb then points the conversation toward momentum investing. Jack offers us a general overview first, noting how momentum investing can be really beneficial for value investors. He also makes the point how it's definitely different than growth investing. In discussing creating a momentum portfolio, Jack discusses adding seasonality (which means addressing when to rebalance) and quality. On the topic of quality, Jack gives us a great example of what it means in the context of earnings; it involves two stocks, one of which is flat for an extended period, but then explodes in value in a short amount of time, versus the other that experiences the same growth, but gradually and consistently over the entire period. Which earnings are more "quality"? Jack gives us his thoughts. Next up is Alpha Architect's great tool, Visual Active Share. It's a wonderful way for investors to compare the holdings of an ETF to its benchmark index. Investors can use this to see just how "different" the ETF in question truly is. After all, you don't want to be paying too much in fees for an ETF that's really just a closet index fund. The guys discuss whether there's a particular number for what "good" active share is, as well as the challenge of tracking error as you grow more "different." As usual, there's a great deal more in this episode: Alpha Architect's new value, momentum, trend ETF... A discussion of the state of robos... What new tools Jack and his crew at Alpha Architect are working on now in order to help investors pull back the curtain on various funds... And of course, Jack's most memorable trade - it was the last individual stock he owned, which he now refers to as 'The Titanic.' What was the stock? Find out in Episode 61. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to the Mebb Favor Show, where the focus is on helping you grow and preserve your wealth.

0:13.2

Join us as we discuss the craft of investing

0:16.1

and uncover new and profitable ideas,

0:18.9

all to help you grow wealthier and wiser.

0:21.3

Better investing starts here.

0:23.0

Mepp Faber is the co-founder and chief investment officer, Cambria Investment Management.

0:32.0

Due to industry regulations, he will not discuss any of Cambria's funds on this podcast.

0:37.0

All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions

0:41.0

and do not reflect the opinion of Cambria Investment Management or its

0:44.2

affiliates.

0:45.4

For more information, visit Cambria Investments.com.

0:51.8

Happy post July 4 4th podcast listeners.

0:55.0

Super excited today to have a good friend on the show.

0:59.0

We're bringing on a partner of one of our very first guests.

1:02.0

If you remember one of the of our very first guests.

1:02.8

If you remember one of the first episodes was West Gray.

1:05.5

We're bringing on his partner at Alpha Architect,

1:08.6

the CFO, CIO of Alpha Architect.

1:11.7

Jack Vogel, welcome the show.

1:13.0

Hey, man, thanks for having me on.

1:15.0

I'm having trouble spitting my words out after this long five-day weekend,

1:19.0

but the last time I saw Jack was in a karaoke bar down in Dana Point and I don't I don't think you got up on stage did you?

...

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