A couple more thoughts on “The New Wolves of Wall Street“:
- The main reason for using index funds is to reduce costs. If that’s the case then why add a high-cost advisory fee on top? Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose?! If asking your stock broker if you need to trade something is like asking the barber if you need a haircut (to steal a Buffett line), then an adviser pitching index funds with a fat advisory fee is like a barber telling a bald guy, “okay, you can shave at home but keep the regular checks coming, okay?”
- Many of these advisers will say that just because they’re using index funds doesn’t mean they’re not providing valuable advice. It’s true that some are but some will argue that you pay them to close the “behavior gap.” In other words, “you pay me to protect you from yourself.” To me this sounds a lot like, “I’m the wiseguy who provides protection in this neighborhood. If you don’t pay me how can I keep you safe?”