Stephen Lowrie, CFA

Portfolio Manager,
Financial Advisor

Steve's Profile

In Conversation with Steve Lowrie

"Over the last twenty years the returns of the market have been about 9% per year, but the return of the average investor has been about 2% per year. That's not just a 7% difference . . . that's 7% compounded over twenty years!" 
- Steve Lowrie
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"I believe my role as your advisor is to act as a bridge between the growing body of knowledge about how stock markets work and the ability to implement that knowledge to benefit our clients . . . in other words, to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
We work hard to stay on the leading edge of the science of investing so that we can immediately implement any new advances in the understanding of how stock markets work. It’s a point of honour to make sure our clients benefit from these advances long before they become mainstream.
We spare no effort to remain a leading firm, if not the leading firm, for Canadian investors who want a scientific approach to investing. We stay in the forefront by working in collaboration with the leading academic minds in finance to find new and innovative ways to help you meet your goals."
—Steve Lowrie

Redefining Investment Advice

Investment advice often comes in the form of a forecast. There is an expectation -  reinforced by the financial media and pundits on the famous financial streets of the world - that someone offering investment advice should be able to look into a crystal ball and predict the future.

We take another approach, one that does not rely on bold predictions or speculation. We use an investment approach grounded in solid academic theory and coupled with broader wealth management issues. This approach gives three solid benefits to our clients:

  1. Expertise
  2. A systematic and disciplined approach
  3. Cost effectiveness

As a client, you will deal directly with the person who manages your money - and not many people can say that in this industry. Depth and breadth of experience are backed by elite academic research. We apply a rigorous and empirical approach to investing that steadily builds your wealth. 

Many investors do not realize how much the cost of their investments cuts into their returns.  Excessive fees, hidden costs and frequent trading may generate profits for your money manager or the tax man, but not for you.  We do not pad out our offering with products and services that add little or no long term value.  Located in Toronto, Lowrie Financial is an independent investment counselor offering investment management on a discretionary, fee-for-service basis only.

Please browse our site for more information about our investment philosophy and approach. Our intention is to provide useful, relevant and interesting information about investing. The site will be updated frequently, so we invite you to return often. Naturally, we would be pleased to set up an appointment to discuss your particular situation.

Rising Above the Noise

This is Steve's regular column on aspects of investing. In his latest columnhe talks about weathering the current storms in the global financial markets.
While history doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, it does provide an interesting context. Not long ago (1995), Canada was being viewed as a “banana republic” for it’s poor fiscal position. . . . Fast forward 15 years and Canada is now in a better fiscal situation than most other developed countries in the world. More importantly from the viewpoint of stock investors, over this same period the Canadian stock market has had one of the highest compound rates of return in the world.

Read the full article.

Commentary

January 2012:
Semi-Annual Report

If there was one lesson for investors last year, it was that diversification still works—in fact, 2011 was a textbook example of why it is so important to have exposure to multiple asset classes. While global stock markets were mostly negative, bonds and public real estate (REITs) had exceptionally strong returns.

Read full report . . .

July 2011:
Semi-Annual Report

The reason financial markets work differently than you'd expect is that they are forward-looking. They anticipate or "price in" future expectations . . . whether they are positive or negative. You can have positive stock market performance even with bad economic news: the bad economic news just has to be better than originally anticipated.

Read full report

January 2011: Semi-Annual Report

After enduring a year of media reports that mixed positive and negative financial news, we look back on a good year for investors in the stock market. We offer some suggestions for resolutions you can commit to that will help you avoid investor's remorse. And, finally, what the 'Five Dials' we introduced in last summer's report are showing us about five key economic factors.
Read full report.

Increasing Your Share
of Investment Returns

Science Trumps Fad

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