Featured and Latest Posts

Smarter Indexing, Better Results: 10 Reasons to Consider Dimensional and Avantis
Practical Investing Kieran Cook Practical Investing Kieran Cook

Smarter Indexing, Better Results: 10 Reasons to Consider Dimensional and Avantis

At first glance, portfolios from Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and Avantis Investors may look similar to traditional index funds. They are broadly diversified, low-cost, and systematic in their approach. But beneath the surface lies a crucial difference: these firms are not content with simply tracking the market. Instead, they intentionally tilt their portfolios towards sources of higher expected returns, aiming to deliver performance beyond that of a typical market-cap-weighted index like those offered by Vanguard.

Read More
Beyond the Three-Factor Model: RAFI, Profitability and the Evolution of Smart Beta
Investment Theory Kieran Cook Investment Theory Kieran Cook

Beyond the Three-Factor Model: RAFI, Profitability and the Evolution of Smart Beta

The Fama-French Three-Factor Model (1993) was a milestone in modern finance, offering a more complete explanation of asset returns by introducing size and value alongside market beta. Yet even this expanded framework struggled with persistent anomalies—such as the underperformance of value stocks as defined by the price-to-book ratio, and the puzzling momentum premium.

In this article, we examine how two complementary innovations—RAFI’s Fundamental Indexing and Robert Novy-Marx’s profitability factor—have sharpened the lens through which we view value investing. Each, in its own way, addresses the limitations of traditional value definitions and helps distinguish true bargains from value traps. We also explore the role of momentum in asset pricing and why Fama and French, despite acknowledging its power, ultimately excluded it from their Five-Factor Model (2015).

Together, these ideas illustrate that the future of value investing may lie not in abandoning it, but in redefining how we measure it.

Read More
Property or Investment Portfolio? A Deep Dive into UK Buy-to-Let vs Stocks and Bonds
Investment Theory Kieran Cook Investment Theory Kieran Cook

Property or Investment Portfolio? A Deep Dive into UK Buy-to-Let vs Stocks and Bonds

‘If I won the lottery, I’d spend a bit and invest the rest in property.’ That was a friend of mine recently—and it’s a mindset shared by many in the UK. Property feels safe, tangible, and tried-and-true. But is it actually the best place for long-term wealth?

In this post, I break down the reality of buy-to-let investing: the true returns after costs, the friction involved, and how it stacks up against a globally diversified stock and bond portfolio. We crunch the numbers, compare outcomes for a £500,000 investment, and explore why property feels safer—even if it isn’t.

Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or simply wondering what to do with a hypothetical windfall, this deep dive might change how you see the choices.

Read More
The ESG & Ethical Trade-off: Lower Returns for a Cleaner Conscience?
Practical Investing Kieran Cook Practical Investing Kieran Cook

The ESG & Ethical Trade-off: Lower Returns for a Cleaner Conscience?

ESG and ethical investing have gone mainstream, but beneath the marketing lies a hard truth: investors must choose between three goals—value alignment, real-world impact, and maximising returns. You can’t reliably have all three.

Avoiding ‘brown’ stocks may align with personal ethics, but it often comes at the cost of lower expected returns. And whilst some ESG funds claim to outperform, much of this can be explained by common risk factor exposures like quality or profitability.

For those seeking real impact, it may be more effective to invest broadly and donate the excess return to high-impact causes. ESG offers peace of mind—but not a free lunch.

Read More