The Plain Bagel

Why Investors Love Dividends (And Why They Can Be Dangerous)

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:30:00 -0000

Ever wonder what all the hype around dividends is? With today's video, we'll dive into how dividends work, why people like them so much, and what to look out for when hunting them down.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

DISCLAIMER:
Richard does not have a personal position in any of the referenced companies. This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers.

Before You Buy a Weed Stock - The Problems With Marijuana Companies

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:30:00 -0000

Before you buy a weed stock, or tell someone else to do so, make sure you understand these fundamental risks... Richard is NOT a financial adviser, and the points expressed in this video are Richard's opinion. Richard does not have any position in marijuana stocks.

Other concerns:

-Some marijuana companies have been issuing shares at a rapid pace, increasing the risk of dilution for current shareholders.

-Companies acquiring their competitors face a lot of execution risk as they integrate their targets. Plants may need to shut down, employees may need to retrain, and systems may need to be updated. Any problems along the way could impact the benefit these acquisitions provide the firm.

-If provinces adopt a government-backed outlet system for selling marijuana similar to alcohol, marijuana companies could face price pressure. The outlets would have significant buying power, allowing them to demand discounts on bulk orders.

-As many of these companies are only a few years old, their accounting statements and disclosures are not of the same level of quality as more established firms. This means less information for investors looking to own the company.

- The barriers to producing marijuana are likely to fall over time. This will open the door to competitors, including large pharma companies. If a international pharmaceutical company were to open a medical marijuana operation, startups would have a hard time matching their capital commitments.

DISCLAIMER:
Richard does not have a personal holding in any of the referenced companies. The videos on this channel are for education purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Richard does not have a personal position in any of the companies mentioned. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers and his content should not be used as a basis for investment trades.

Managed Solutions | ETFs and Robo Advisors

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 09:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode VI

Managed solutions can come with pretty high fees, which has led to the development of low cost investment vehicle alternatives. In this video, we discuss the popular Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) as well as the topical Robo-Advisor.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Sources:
https://www.ific.ca/en/info/stats-and-facts/
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/roboadvisor-roboadviser.asp

The Dangers of Bitcoin - My Thoughts

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 08:30:00 -0000

Before you buy bitcoin, or tell someone else to do so, make sure you understand these fundamental risks...

Richard is NOT a financial adviser, and the points expressed in this video are Richard's opinion. Richard does not have any position in Bitcoin.

Sources:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-04/israeli-firm-strikes-digital-gold-with-canadian-miner-purchase
https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/01/08/struggling-iced-tea-company-that-added-blockchain-to-name-seeks-funding-for-venture-into-bitcoin-mining.html
http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/GAM/20180113/RBMBITCOINBOP
https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/2017/09/58-insane-facts-bitcoin-infographic/
https://cointelegraph.com/explained/bitcoin-scaling-problem-explained
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-12-12/bitcoin-is-like-gold-2-0-says-tyler-winklevoss-video
http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1996/04/15/211503/index.htm

DISCLAIMER:
The videos on this channel are for education purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers and his content should not be used as a basis for investment trades.

Private Credit Panic - Why Investors Are Rushing For the Exits

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:30:00 -0000

Why People Hate Private Equity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFi2OfbWWc

Private credit has been capturing headlines lately, with companies going bankrupt, funds gating investor withdrawals, and claims that we're headed towards another 2008 financial crisis. Today we cover what we know about the situation.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

The Canada-China Trade Deal

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 06:30:00 -0000

👉 To learn for free on Brilliant, go to https://brilliant.org/theplainbagel, scan the QR code onscreen. Brilliant’s also given our viewers 20% off an annual Premium subscription, which gives you unlimited daily access to everything on Brilliant.

00:00 - Intro
03:15 - Canada and China Background
06:48 - The Trade Deal
08:58 - Other Agreements
10:24 - Why China?
13:15 - Controversy
14:50 - Final Thoughts
17:38 - Conclusion

Last week, we saw Canada and China enter a new trade deal, thawing what's been a icy relationship between the two countries. Today we'll cover what's in the deal, and what it means for Canada and its relationship with the US for trade.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

The Cost of Alberta Separatism

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 05:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Intro
03:11 - Primer on Alberta
04:35 - Albertan Separatism
05:51 - Transfer Payments
07:15 - Canada Pension Plan
08:30 - The Fiscal Upside
09:35 - What's Missing
12:19 - The Issues With Independence
16:59 - Concluding Thoughts

There's been a growing movement calling for Alberta to separate from the rest of Canada. Today, we debunk some of the misinformation driving the call for secession, and some of the valid gripes the province has.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Tariffs and Treasuries - The China-US Trade War

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:49:00 -0000

The US is in a trade war with China, and after a rapid escalation, has seemingly pivoted with a recent exemption. Let's dive into what it all means for the US economy.

00:00 – Overview
02:43 – Timeline
04:01 – Why China?
05:57 – The Impact of a Trade War on the US
07:23 – Treasury Yields
09:30 - Is China Causing This?
11:13 – Other Possible Causes

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Plain Bagel QandA 3 | Greek Debt and Robinhood App

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Q&A 3

Question topics: Arbitrage, EA loot boxes, Greek debt, my background education, and the Robinhood trading app

*Richard has no affiliation or business relationship with the Robinhood.

AI Is Giving Financial Advice Now

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 03:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Introduction
02:23 - ChatGPT Announcement
05:44 - The Pros
07:54 - Advice Concerns
10:09 - Regulatory Ambiguity
14:22 - Considerations for Using AI Advisors
16:56 - Will AI Replace Advisors?

Dead on the Money Podcast Episode: https://youtu.be/po9zpbVQOYE?si=1B2Ff87jzRakyMdr

ChatGPT announced this week that it would allow users to connect their bank/investment accounts to the platform to receive AI advice for their finances - today we dive into the implications.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Why People Are Freaking Out Over Bonds

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Introduction
02:45 - Primer
05:11 - Why are yields rising
05:58 - Credit Rating Downgrade
07:57 - One Big Beautiful Bill
09:33 - The Weak 20-year Auction
10:55 - Japan’s Role?
11:26 - Why High Yields Matter
13:30 - Why it’s not a financial crisis

Link to video comparing US banks to Silicon Valley Bank: https://youtu.be/ZPlrkr1qaE0?si=mwyYceZiSl-B0qsn

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

America's Crypto Regulation - What the Genius and Clarity Act Means For Markets

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 01:30:00 -0000

With Crypto Week having drawn to a close, let's take some time to go through the laws that have passed, and what's trying to be passed - we'll go over the Genius Act, Clarity Act, and Anti-CBDC Act.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

The Great Depression - 5 Minute History Lesson

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:30:00 -0000

To clarify, Hitler was NOT the founder of the Nazi party, sorry for any confusion!

The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn of the industrialized world, crippling the wealth of Americans throughout the 1930's. How did it happen? Let's find out with a 5 Minute History Lesson.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music:
Faster Does It by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100794
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Exciting Announcement

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:30:00 -0000

Some exciting news for the channel!

Investment Analyst Reacts to Finance TikToks - Bonus Edition

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:30:00 -0000

Welcome to the 10th TikTok Review video!

My name is Richard Coffin, I'm an investment analyst with my Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations, registered with the Ontario Securities Commission as a portfolio manager.

Cover call video: https://youtu.be/R0JeJdiJc1A?si=WN-kRgKH0heQg3WE

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

The Bitcoin Treasury "Infinite Money Glitch"

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:30:00 -0000

Richard does not hold a position in MSTR or any other bitcoin treasury companies.

Bitcoin treasuries have become a popular strategy for companies thanks to Michael Saylor and his firm Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy). Let's dive into how this idea has taken off, and what it means for bitcoin.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Fees | How Investments Cost You

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode VIII

Investments are a great way to expand one's wealth, but don't be fooled - there are still fees to pay for the services provided to you. In this video, we'll go over the types of costs you'll pay as an investor, as well as how you can learn more about the specific fees you face.

MUTUAL FUND SERIES INFORMATION:
- https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/invest/investment-products/mutual-funds-segregated-funds/mutual-fund-series/

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/
Sources: https://s3.amazonaws.com/nw-public-images/marketing/downloads/cost-of-investments-supporting-doc.pdf

The 2025 Gold Rush - "Debasement Trade" or FOMO?

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:30:00 -0000

To learn for free on Brilliant (today's sponsor), go to https://brilliant.org/theplainbagel. Brilliant’s also giving viewers 20% off an annual Premium subscription, which gives you unlimited daily access to everything on Brilliant!

00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - Why Investors Buy Gold
04:10 - Why Gold's Rallying
08:34 - The Debasement Trade
09:47 - Considerations
13:27 - Gold's Questionable Price Stability
16:11 - Sponsor

Gold's price has been skyrocketing, with murmurings of a great "debasement trade" driving returns. Today we'll dive into what's driving performance, and the overall trends around gold.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Investment Analyst Reacts to Finance TikToks - Prediction Markets and More

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:30:00 -0000

Get your free trial with Blinkist (today's sponsor) and save an additional 30%. Go to http://blinkist.com/bagel.

My name is Richard Coffin, I'm an investment analyst with my Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations, registered with the Ontario Securities Commission as a portfolio manager.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Plain Bagel QandA 4 | P/E, QE, and Short-Term Needs

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Q&A 4

More Details on QE:
QE is a concerted effort to provide additional monetary stimulus to the economy in order to light a fire under it and get growth increasing again. If we look back at recent history, during and for a long period after the financial crisis of 08/09, the central banks dropped their key interest rates to zero or virtually zero. They did this in order to incentivize the commercial banking system to borrow free money and then easily lend that same money out into the financial system for an easy profit for themselves. However, this didn’t work so well because, although the banks did borrow the free money, they then horded this free money in low to moderate risk investments without really investing and lending the funds into the real economy. At this point, this is where QE came into a necessary realization and effect.

As mentioned, central banks (in effect) increase their own bank account balances and then buy various financial securities from commercial banks and other institutional investors. This effectively lowers longer-term interest rates (not short-term rates which are again already virtually zero) by artificially inflating the prices of the securities being bought by the QE operations. This in effect makes most government backed or guaranteed securities prevail at artificially and abnormally low yields (same interest payment, but higher prices). As a corollary, these same securities by default become much less attractive to any private market investor. In connecting the dots, as a final result, this will encourage both institutional and retail investors to put their money into more risky investments like stocks and corporate bonds, and this will eventually boost the stock market.

Episode Music:
Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100671
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Bonds | Using Debt to Invest

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode II

Companies use debt to help fund their projects, borrowing money from investors to grow their business. This video covers bonds, the instrument these firms use to raise their debt.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Risk - Understanding Investment Uncertainty

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode X

In investments, you can't have return without taking on some risk. Today, let's look into better understanding the types of risks we'll face with our holdings, and how we can manage them.

Sources:
https://www.osc.gov.on.ca/documents/en/Investors/inv_research_20171127_missing-out-report.pdf

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Plain Bagel QandA 1 | Good Reads and Rolled Sleeves

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Q&A 1

Question topics: books on finance, “average person” investments, starting off, liquidity, and stock splits

Here’s a list of the books suggested by my colleagues. The first few are on personal finance, while the last two focus specifically on investing:
- Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with their money (and what you can do about it) by Bruce Sellery
- Wealthing Like Rabbits by Robert R. Brown
- Personal Finance For Canadians For Dummies by Eric Tyson & Tony Martin
- Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallam
- The Single Best Investment: Creating Wealth with Dividend Growth by Lowell Miller

Another colleague brought up a great point on stock splits that I’d like to add to my last answer. Companies also use stock splits to “signal” to investors that they expect future stock growth. This positive signal will infer that management believes in the sustainability of the stocks growth, which may convince investors to purchase the stock.

Episode Music: https://www.youtube.com/user/kmmusic

Sources: http://www.investors.com/how-to-invest/investors-corner/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-start-investing/

Investment Analyst Reacts to Finance TikToks - Part 9

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:49:00 -0000

Markets are falling, and the world is in a full fledged trade war - let's watch some TikToks.

My name's Richard Coffin, I'm an investment analyst with my Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations, registered with the Ontario Securities Commission as a portfolio manager.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Edited by: Emma Konrad & Richard Coffin

The Plain Bagel Turns 1

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:30:00 -0000

It's been a year since I posted my first video, just thought I'd provide a bit of a reflection on the channel thus far. :)

Behavioral Finance | Investor Irrationality

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode XI

As humans, we tend to fall victim to different biases when making financial decisions. Let's take a look at behavioral finance and explore how we can circumvent these common pitfalls.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

An AI Scammer Is Trying to Steal My Viewer's Money

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:30:00 -0000

Found a video of me trying to scam my viewers.

Stock Market Corrections: Why Markets Stumble

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:30:00 -0000

Every so often, the markets take a tumble, sometimes of a material magnitude. What causes these drops, and why do they happen when things are up? Let's explore these questions and more with today's episode.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers.

Clearing Up the Inflation Target Misinformation

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:30:00 -0000

Video of Jerome Powell Jackson Hole speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZdOFw-gTo8
Speech Transcript: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20250822a.htm

Video on the impact rates cuts have on stocks: https://youtu.be/rSpVmpiUTTM
Video on the Petrodollar Agreement: https://youtu.be/XK8DQEyXODU

This past Friday we had rumours circulate that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had abandoned the bank's 2% inflation target. Today, we dive into what ACTUALLY happened at the Jackson Hole address.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

The SpaceX IPO Is Wild

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Introduction
03:44 - SpaceX Overview
04:53 - IPO Details
05:47 - Insane Valuation
06:53 - The Wild Prospectus
11:02 - The Retail Push
11:38 - Other IPOs (Anthropic and OpenAI)
13:23 - The Concerns
16:56 - Crowding Out Risk
17:58 - The AI Bubble
20:24 - Concluding Thoughts

SpaceX IPOs today, and Anthropic/OpenAI are looking to go public in the near term. Today we discuss the trend, what it means for markets, and how it balances against fears of an AI bubble.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Let's Talk About the AI Bubble

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:30:00 -0000

Everyone believes we're in a bubble...so why are companies still spending hundreds of billions on the space? We lay things out in today's video.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Plain Bagel QandA 5 | Mostly Weed Stock Questions

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:30:00 -0000

Check out Brandon Beavis' channel, Brandon Beavis Investing! Great guy with an impressive number of investment certifications for his age!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoYDuEolAYsjQzzqe2dh1sg

Episode Music:
Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100671

DISCLAIMER:
Richard does not have a personal holding in any of the referenced companies. The videos on this channel are for education purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers and his content should not be used as a basis for investment trades.

The Risk the War in Iran Poses to the Global Economy

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Iran Primer
03:36 - Iran’s Oil
04:55 - The Strait of Hormuz
08:17 - Global Economic Impacts
11:11 - How This Impacts the US?
12:40 - What About Stocks?
13:17 - Final Considerations

The Impact of War on Markets and the Economy: https://youtu.be/vl156QpXr5g?si=1QIYNSTklODaVS3B

On February 28th, the US and Israel launched a massive military operation in Iran aimed to hamstringing the countries military aspirations, and seemingly to bring about a complete regime change. Today, we dive into why economists are bracing for an impact.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Why Central Banks Target 2% Inflation

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:30:00 -0000

To learn for free on Brilliant, go to https://brilliant.org/theplainbagel. Brilliant’s also giving viewers 20% off an annual Premium subscription, which gives you unlimited daily access to everything on Brilliant!

00:00 - Introduction
02:09 - The Origin of 2% Inflation
04:03 - Argument for 2%
06:57 - Why Not Deflation?
09:21 - Costs and Considerations
12:30 - Why the Target Won't Change
13:48 - Sponsor

Despite economists warning on the negative impact of tariffs, the US has been reporting stronger-than-expected GDP growth, record tariff revenue, and trillions of inbound investment commitments. Let's dive into whether tariffs are actually improving the US economy.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Welcome To The Plain Bagel

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:30:00 -0000

Welcome to The Plain Bagel! If you are looking to expand your knowledge in the areas of finance and investing, than you've come to the right place!

Music:
https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Citations:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/how-should-canada-teach-financial-literacy-in-schools/article27265820/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

Taxes | Registered Accounts and Tax Efficiency

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0000

**Edit** there is no distinction between short-term and long-term capital gains tax in Canada. Favourable taxes are only NOT provided in some instances of day trading - you CAN trade within the same year and still receive the favourable tax rate in Canada.

The Plain Bagel Episode IX

Tax is a pretty confusing field, yet it's essential for investors to learn. To help you get started, here are some high-level concepts on how investments accrue taxes, and what you can do to minimize the amount you owe.

REIT Tax Link: https://www.dividendearner.com/reit-taxation/
Private Equity Tax Link: https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/tax/document/393773/5BW2-T5S1-F18C-V05X-00000-00/Tax+on+private+equity+and+venture+capital%3A+background+and+key+terms%E2%80%94overview

Sources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/tax-free-savings-account/contributions.html
http://www.moneysense.ca/save/investing/rrsp/rrsp-contribution-limit/
https://www.taxtips.ca/taxrates/on.htm

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Managed Solutions | Mutual Funds and More

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:30:00 -0000

**Edit**: most mutual funds require a minimum initial investment that can range anywhere from $100 to $3000, though the amount varies depending on the fund.

The Plain Bagel Episode V

For investors looking to outsource the investment management process, their are plenty of options available. This video covers "managed solutions," including Discretionary Managers, Mutual Funds, and Hedge Funds.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

The Problem With Robinhood’s Tokenized Stock Offering

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:30:00 -0000

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BAGEL at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/bagel

NOTE: Richard does not hold any position (long or short) in Robinhood.

Robinhood recently launched a new tokenized stock offering for private companies SpaceX and OpenAI...without the companies' approval. Today we dive into how the tokens work, the risks faced by investors, and implications for the broader finance industry.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Stock Indices and Index Fund Investing

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:30:00 -0000

Index funds are some of the most popular investment vehicles around, and yet few fully understand how indices work. So today, let's take a moment to understand what constitutes an index, and how we can use them to invest.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers.

Plain Bagel QandA 6 | Duration, Convexity, and Craig's Filming for Free!

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:49:00 -0000

Topics addressed in today's video:

- How Canada taxes short-term traders
- How long synthetic stocks last
- 2008
- Duration & convexity
- The value of non-voting shares

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoYDuEolAYsjQzzqe2dh1sg

Episode Music:
Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100671

DISCLAIMER:
The videos on this channel are for education purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Richard Coffin is not registered to provide investment advice and as such does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers and his content should not be used as a basis for investment trades.

The Fundamentals | Why is Investing Important?

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode I

Let's start from the beginning - what is investing? This video covers some basic concepts, and strives to argue why its important to learn more about investing.

To skip over the basic concept's section, jump to 3:08.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Sources:
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/canada-s-pet-wellness-report2011
http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/canadians_approaching_retirement_with_totally_inadequate_savings_seniors_poverty_rates_increasing_new_study
http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/managing-wealth/more-than-two-thirds-of-canadians-worry-a-lot-about-money-but-69-still-dont-have-a-plan
http://www.inflation.eu/inflation-rates/canada/historic-inflation/cpi-inflation-canada.aspx

Styles of Investing | Active, Passive, and More

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 21:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode VII

There are many different philosophies that investors follow when making investment decisions, some of which directly conflict with other schools of thought. In this video, we'll go over the Active vs Passive debate, as well as Fundamental, Technical, and Quantitative investing.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/
Drumming footage:
http://www.freemediabank.com/rock-concert-free-hd-stock-footage/

Investment Analyst Reacts to Finance TikToks - Naughty and Nice Edition

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:30:00 -0000

It's Christmas season, you know what that means - more financial TikToks.

My name is Richard Coffin, I'm an investment analyst with my Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations, registered with the Ontario Securities Commission as a portfolio manager.

Cover call video: https://youtu.be/R0JeJdiJc1A?si=WN-kRgKH0heQg3WE

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Investing | 5 Steps for Getting Started

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode XII

Now that you have a grasp on some basic investment concepts, it's time to start applying what we've learned. So here are my five steps for getting started!

Budgeting Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T40vhaIQb7D71MVkGW0954Ky6salnwYZN8OkX8_AkB8/edit?usp=sharing
* You won't be able to edit the original spreadsheet, so make sure to save it to your own Google Sheets account or download it as an excel. *

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Trump's "Revenge Tax" On Investors Outside the US

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Intro
01:42 - What Section 899 Does
02:44 - Withholding Tax Basics
04:34 - Impacted Investments
06:37 - What Constitutes "Discriminatory Taxes”
10:21 - Implications for Foreign Countries
12:03 - Implications for the US
14:08 - What Investors Should Do

Hidden in the US "Big Beautiful Bill" is a meaningful tax proposal (Section 899) that will have a meaningful impact on investors outside the US...and the US itself. We explain the change in today's video.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Canada's Getting a Sovereign Wealth Fund

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:30:00 -0000

Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that Canada was getting a new sovereign wealth fund, and that individual Canadians will be able to invest in it. Today we'll dive into the details, and what it means for Canadians.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Prediction Markets Are Ruining the Finance Industry

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:30:00 -0000

2:36 - Prediction Market Background
9:38 - Prediction Market problems
17:02 - The Promotions
21:50 - The Gamblification of Everything
24:23 - Closing thoughts

Let's talk about prediction markets...

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

What A Year...

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:30:00 -0000

👉 To learn for free on Brilliant, go to https://brilliant.org/theplainbagel, scan the QR code onscreen. Brilliant’s also given our viewers 20% off an annual Premium subscription, which gives you unlimited daily access to everything on Brilliant.

2025 has been a crazy year - let's unwind with the annual finance rewind and review what these past 12 months meant for markets and the world economy.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

The Bitcoin Treasury Reckoning - Why People Are Blaming JPMorgan

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Intro
03:50 - Why bitcoin’s price has fallen
05:27 - The decline of treasury companies
08:33 - Is Strategy about to collapse?
12:56 - The JPMorgan conspiracy
15:40 - Debunking the claims

Richard does not hold a position in JPM, MSTR or any other bitcoin treasury companies.

With bitcoin's price down, bitcoin treasury companies have been pummeled - now investors are blaming JP Morgan. Today we dive into what's happening.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers

Cash Equivalents and Alternatives | Non Traditional Investments

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Episode IV

Cash Equivalents, along with stocks and bonds, belong to the Traditional Investment category, while the Alternative Investment category pretty much encompasses everything else. This video finishes our discussion of the primary investments by covering cash equivalents, real estate, commodities, and derivatives.

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music (Licensed): http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Sources:
https://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/whats-10-times-bigger-than-the-global-economy/6241

Trump's Tariffs Deemed Illegal - What Now?

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Intro
01:36 - The Supreme Court Ruling
03:23 - What Tariffs Are Impacted?
05:02 - What About Refunds?
06:57 - The Implications
07:46 - Section 122 Tariffs
09:54 - Trump's Tariff Options
11:46 - Why the Update Still Matters

The US Supreme Court has ruled that Trump's IEEPA tariffs are illegal - let's dive into what this means and how else Turmp may pursue tariffs.

News Theme 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

The Venezuela Oil Grab - What it Means for Oil Markets (and Canada)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:30:00 -0000

Last weekend, the US captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and made moves to secure the country's oil. Today we'll discuss the feasibility of building out Venezuela's oil industry, and the risk it poses to Canada as a key oil supplier to the US.

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a registered advisor if you require assistance (while Richard is a registered portfolio manager at WDS Investment Management, he does not provide advice through The Plain Bagel, which is not affiliated with his employer). Richard makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of data included in this video.

Plain Bagel QandA 2 | Income and Wolf Mugs

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:30:00 -0000

The Plain Bagel Q&A 2

Question topics: The time it takes to invest, how to buy investments, gambling, income vs revenue, renting vs buying real estate

*I apologize for the color issues with the video – we had technical lighting difficulties while filming*

Episode Music:
Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100671
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

What do Rising Interest Rates Mean?

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:30:00 -0000

Interest rates are on the rise in both Canada and the U.S., what does this mean for consumers and investors? Find out with today's episode!

Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Episode Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/

Are Trump's Tariffs Working?

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:30:00 -0000

00:00 - Introduction
02:12 - Why Economists Disagree
04:06 - Where’s the inflation?
08:12 - Are Tariffs Deflationary?
10:00 - What About Manufacturing?
11:32 - New Investments in the US
15:06 - Why is GDP Growing?

Despite economists warning on the negative impact of tariffs, the US has been reporting stronger-than-expected GDP growth, record tariff revenue, and trillions of inbound investment commitments. Let's dive into whether tariffs are actually improving the US economy.

If you'd like to support the channel, you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePlainBagel :)

DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and is not affiliated with any financial institution, although Richard does work as an employee for an investment manager. Richard Coffin does not provide recommendations on The Plain Bagel - those looking for investment advice should seek out a registered professional. Richard is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers