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Contra The Heard

Contra the Heard is an information service for independent investors. The goal at Contra is to profitably invest while sharing with subscribers the whys and wherefores of the investment choices that they make. Fortunately, these selections have worked exceedingly well; Contra’s 15-year annualized return of 16.6% is amongst the best...

Contra the Heard is an information service for independent investors. The goal at Contra is to profitably invest while sharing with subscribers the whys and wherefores of the investment choices that they make. Fortunately, these selections have worked exceedingly well; Contra’s 15-year annualized return of 16.6% is amongst the best when compared to all other North American letters and mutual funds. The contrarian philosophy that guides Contra advocates an independent approach to investing, one that requires investors to assess their own investing needs and abilities, and which demands a commitment to understanding the securities they select for their portfolios. The investment letter is published quarterly via postal mail and in a normal year, 25-40 email updates are sent. The vast majority of these are when they buy or sell a position. The Contra philosophies include a concentration on turnaround situations and stocks which are currently unpopular but are likely to regain their luster, a focus on stocks that have the ability to increase in value by a minimum of 100%, and careful analysis of corporations’ financial statements concentrating on debt ratios and book values. Contra normally sells a minimum of 50% of a stock upon achievement of their target, while “market timing” the remainder. The Contra the Heard investment letter only recommends stock that they actually buy. Readership is limited to 1,000 subscribers.

Benj started investing during the 1970s and manages the President’s Portfolio. Back in the day, he specialized in starting businesses and corporate turnarounds. Once upon a time, he also taught at the college level. He co-founded Contra the Heard in 1995. Over time, he has refined his approach to investing and has achieved one of the best track records in the investment industry.Benj is a regular guest on the Business News Network, writes the Contra Guys column for The Globe and Mail with Ben, and writes for a number of magazines. Over the past few years, his speaking engagements have taken him across Canada, to various locales in the United States and to South Africa. He has travelled to over 30 countries, working in about half a dozen. His best-selling books include: The Uncommon Investor III: How to Earn Superior Returns in the Stock Market Despite Everything, The Contrarian Investor’s 13: How to Earn Superior Returns in the Stock Market and The Canadian Small Business Survival Guide.Ben manages the Vice-President’s Portfolio and started investing during the 1970s. Prior to starting Contra with Benj in 1995, he was a software designer with over 25 years of experience working in industries ranging from accounting and healthcare to petroleum and transportation. After years of successfully co-managing the President’s Portfolio, he started the Vice President’s Portfolio in 2010, adding diversification for Contra subscribers. Ben writes the Contra Guys column for The Globe and Mail with Benj. Aside from stock picking, he is an avid curler.