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Showing posts from January, 2012

The Other Side of Kevin O'Leary

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I had wanted to interview Kevin O’Leary ever since I attended a small presentation on his O’Leary family of mutual funds that he gave to money managers in Vancouver last spring. Before those financial gatekeepers, O’Leary was his usual fast talking self, but more humble and incisive than he appears on TV. When we were able to sit down and talk in Whistler last Friday, I thought Cambridge House investors should see that side of him. Our discussion revealed a quieter, analytical, and generous side that most people never see. O’Leary articulated his investing philosophy, which also guides his fund family. It will surprise you: He’s actually very conservative, and believes “an investment without a dividend is simply speculation.” Hence the mandate for capital preservation and income of O’Leary Funds, which are aimed at retail investors. For an hour, we talked about investing, macroeconomics, geopolitics, life and even wine. So dust off a bottle (1990 Cheval Blanc, Mr. Wonderful’s favorite)