Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Chris Pedersen updates his recommendations and describes his selection process in an interactive presentation with Paul and Daryl along for the ride.
This "Best In Class ETFs Recommendations" presentation is the 9th in the Boot Camp Series. (We have not completed some of the earlier presentations due to the high interest in Chris' Best In Class Recommendations).
The focus of each the Boot Camp presentation is to help investors make the best of what we consider to be the biggest long term decisions they will make.
Of course we cannot know the ETFs that will produce the highest returns but we can measure the likely impact of the factors that Chris discusses during his presentation.
On behalf of all of the people who find this work helpful, as well as Daryl Bahls and myself, I want to thank Chris Pedersen for all he has done to help us understand the potential long term advantage of his analysis. It is our hope that his work will give investors the confidence and commitment to “stay the course" in the normal ups and downs of the market.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:15 - Changes
00:12:31 - Factor Basics
00:18:00 - Selection Criteria
00:20:21 -- Quantifying Differences
00:24:32 -- Comparing in an Asset Class
00:31:10 -- More than just numbers
00:32:12 -- BIC ETFs on Website
00:33:05 -- US Large Cap Blend
00:34:33 -- US Large Cap Value
00:37:40 -- US Small Cap Blend
00:42:30 -- Int'l Large Cap Value
00:43:30 -- Int'l Small Cap Blend
00:44:15 -- Em. Mkts Small Cap Blend
00:44:50 -- Portfolio Configurator
00:46:25 -- Roboadvisor ETFs
00:51:06 -- Versus Russell 2,000?
00:54:00 -- Avantis & DFA Advantage
01:03:36 -- Analysis Timeframes
01:04:44 -- Closing Remarks
Quotes:
"Cut through the noise and stay disciplined to set yourself up for long-term success."— Paul Merriman
"Create a plan you can adhere to. When your choices are data-driven and consistent, your mission is fulfilled."— Paul Merriman
"Make informed decisions through transparent analysis. It’s the key to securing your financial future."— Paul Merriman
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Simplicity in Investing
Transparency at Its Core
Avantis Rising—But Data Drives the Picks
Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Application
Staying the Course—The Key to Long-Term Wealth
Tools You Can Use—Right Now
The Mission: Helping You and the Next Generation
Links:
Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations Page- bit.ly/3F5LOTs
Portfolio Configurator bit.ly/3F9nBLZ
Sound Investing Portfolios Bootcamp Page paulmerriman.com/Sound-investing-portfolios-2025
Connect with Paul Merriman:
Website: paulmerriman.com
Email: paul@paulmerriman.com
Chris Pedersen updates his recommendations and describes his selection process in an interactive presentation with Paul and Daryl along for the ride.
This "Best In Class ETFs Recommendations" presentation is the 9th in the Boot Camp Series. (We have not completed some of the earlier presentations due to the high interest in Chris' Best In Class Recommendations).
The focus of each the Boot Camp presentation is to help investors make the best of what we consider to be the biggest long term decisions they will make.
Of course we cannot know the ETFs that will produce the highest returns but we can measure the likely impact of the factors that Chris discusses during his presentation.
On behalf of all of the people who find this work helpful, as well as Daryl Bahls and myself, I want to thank Chris Pedersen for all he has done to help us understand the potential long term advantage of his analysis. It is our hope that his work will give investors the confidence and commitment to “stay the course" in the normal ups and downs of the market.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:15 - Changes
00:12:31 - Factor Basics
00:18:00 - Selection Criteria
00:20:21 -- Quantifying Differences
00:24:32 -- Comparing in an Asset Class
00:31:10 -- More than just numbers
00:32:12 -- BIC ETFs on Website
00:33:05 -- US Large Cap Blend
00:34:33 -- US Large Cap Value
00:37:40 -- US Small Cap Blend
00:42:30 -- Int'l Large Cap Value
00:43:30 -- Int'l Small Cap Blend
00:44:15 -- Em. Mkts Small Cap Blend
00:44:50 -- Portfolio Configurator
00:46:25 -- Roboadvisor ETFs
00:51:06 -- Versus Russell 2,000?
00:54:00 -- Avantis & DFA Advantage
01:03:36 -- Analysis Timeframes
01:04:44 -- Closing Remarks
Quotes:
"Cut through the noise and stay disciplined to set yourself up for long-term success."— Paul Merriman
"Create a plan you can adhere to. When your choices are data-driven and consistent, your mission is fulfilled."— Paul Merriman
"Make informed decisions through transparent analysis. It’s the key to securing your financial future."— Paul Merriman
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Simplicity in Investing
Transparency at Its Core
Avantis Rising—But Data Drives the Picks
Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Application
Staying the Course—The Key to Long-Term Wealth
Tools You Can Use—Right Now
The Mission: Helping You and the Next Generation
Links:
Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations Page- bit.ly/3F5LOTs
Portfolio Configurator bit.ly/3F9nBLZ
Sound Investing Portfolios Bootcamp Page paulmerriman.com/Sound-investing-portfolios-2025
Connect with Paul Merriman:
Website: paulmerriman.com
Email: paul@paulmerriman.com
