Be aware, but don’t despair!

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.

~Mark Twain

'Twas the week before Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas, so let's have some fun. Mawer recaps the main themes of 2021.

Prepare don't predict

How an engineering principle can improve investment risk management.

On modern monetary theory

We explore the evolution of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and the notable economic ideas on which it is based. We highlight some notable criticisms and discuss implications of MMT for economic policy and financial markets. Our purpose is less focused on opining whether MMT is fundamentally sound, but rather aimed at understanding its development and how the ground may shift if indeed MMT-based policies are more widely embraced.

Where I’m seeing value in emerging markets

I’ve been revisiting Philip Fisher’s Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits recently. Scanning the opportunity set in emerging markets, I’ve been trying to imagine what Fisher would have made of the current investment landscape.

'Twas the week before Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas, (and you know it’s true), COVID looms large in our annual review.

Mawer’s autumn reads 2020

The onset of autumn means ‘tis time for some recommended reads. 

The enemy is us: Mitigating confirmation bias

Back in March, as physical distancing practices were being implemented globally, I was bemused by contrasting provocatively titled articles published within a day of one another. 

Mawer Market Update—March 20, 2020

Over the last week, the world has seen a continued increase in COVID-19 cases and, consequently, a greater effort to contain the virus. 

Market Update – March 13, 2020

Throughout the week, governments around the world have continued to take more significant measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Market Update – March 10, 2020

Considering the significant market volatility resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as the plunge in oil prices reflecting Saudi Arabia’s decision to accelerate output, we wanted to provide you with an update on Mawer’s strategy in this challenging environment.

Why capital allocation is critical to investor success

One of our enduring beliefs is that investors serially underappreciate the long-term value of strong management teams

Playing the plan: Mawer’s Canadian equity portfolio | EP49

Director of Research and Canadian equity lead manager, Vijay Viswanathan, discusses risks and opportunities in Canada, the cannabis industry’s value chain, and potential transformations to the food retailer business model. 

Technical debt | EP48

This episode, we interview our Head of Information Security and Infrastructure, Dwight Pratt, and Equity Analyst, Karan Phadke, on the ramifications of technical debt to businesses and investors. 

Playing the plan: Mawer’s emerging markets equity portfolio | EP47

Lead portfolio manager, Peter Lampert, discusses the current environment for emerging markets and what opportunities and challenges we’re seeing for the portfolio.

Sustainable Development Goals: What they are and how Canada measures up | EP46

Vice President of the Community Foundations of Canada, JP Bervoets, explains the UN’s sustainable development goals—and how individuals and corporations can get on board to make a difference.

Quarterly update | 3Q 2019 | EP45

Featuring insights from the second quarter from Balanced and Global Balanced Fund co-manager and Asset Mix Chair, Greg Peterson.

Playing the plan: Mawer’s global small cap portfolio | EP44

Equity analyst, John Wilson, shares how the team approaches separating signal from noise, why defensive business models make for a resilient portfolio, and the advantages of a "cookie-cutter" growth runway.

Playing the plan: Mawer’s U.S. equity portfolio | EP43

U.S. equity co-manager, Colin Wong, discusses the big picture backdrop (interest rates, U.S.-China trade war) and then dives deep into the investment thesis behind Microsoft, and A.O. Smith.

Making a difference: Impact investing | EP42

Calgary Foundation Board and Impact Investing Committee Chair, Bob Gibson, and Director, Investments, Lauren Frosst, discuss the Foundation’s definition of impact investing, why the foundation became involved, and how they got started.

Playing the plan: Mawer’s international equity portfolio | EP41

Lead portfolio manager, David Ragan, discusses some big picture risks (Brexit and U.S.-China trade wars) and then dives deep into the investment thesis behind LVMH and Bunzl. 

Lessons from 33 years of investing | EP40

Investing legend Martin Ferguson, pioneer of the award winning Mawer Canadian small cap strategy, shares the lessons he learned over his 33 year career.

Trader talk: Every BEEP matters | EP39

Equity trader, Jeff Wilson, delves into the in-house “B-E-E-P” framework the trading team has built: Best Execution, Education, and Process.

Quarterly update | 2Q 2019 | EP38

Featuring insights from the second quarter from Balanced and Global Balanced Fund co-manager and Asset Mix Chair, Greg Peterson.