After Years of Researching Stock Advisories, Here’s the Service I Recommend
Hi, I’m Tim McKinlay.
I started Affiliate UNguru after losing money on online programs that didn’t live up to their promises. I wanted to share what I learned and help others understand what they were getting before spending their own money.
Over time, the site has evolved from reviewing online money-making programs to covering investment newsletters and identifying the stocks hinted at in their promotions. I’ve also paid to join a range of services myself to see what subscribers actually receive.
If you’ve looked into stock advisories, you’ve probably come across some persuasive sales pitches.
Some focus on a little-known company they believe could become the next big winner. Others warn about a market crash and urge you to act before it’s too late.
A convincing sales presentation doesn’t tell you everything about the research behind it. I’m more interested in what subscribers actually receive, how the investment ideas are explained, and whether the service offers value for money.
Some services I’ve tried have provided useful research and insights. Others haven’t lived up to my expectations.
That experience has made me more selective about the newsletters I recommend.
One service, in particular, has stood out to me.
It’s called the Insider Newsletter, and it’s run by professional money managers.
Insider is an investment newsletter from Capitalist Exploits that shares deep-value stock ideas.
You may not have heard of it because they don’t rely on mass-marketing to sell newsletter subscriptions. Instead, they focus on sharing high-value research that actually helps subscribers find great opportunities.
It’s led by Chris MacIntosh, a professional money manager focused on finding asymmetric investments.
In other words, investments where he believes the potential upside substantially outweighs the downside risk.
And he does this by digging deep into beaten-up, unloved sectors.
I’m talking about sectors that have fallen out of favor with investors.
That the average investor isn’t excited about.
But at the same time, sectors that are essential for society to function, and where Chris and his team see opportunities with 3x to 10x upside potential over the years ahead.
Those are targets, not guaranteed returns.
Think of it as looking for opportunities to buy low, before a sector comes back into favor.
The idea is to find deeply undervalued stocks before the crowd catches on.
Sounds simple, right?
In principle, it is.
But it’s different from what I often see in newsletter promotions.
I often see newsletters promoting stocks in “hot” sectors that everyone, including the local barista, is talking about.
And I don’t know about you, but that strategy has never worked out well for me.
In fact, jumping on the “hype train” only ever lost me money.
That’s why, when I started learning about Chris’ approach, something just “clicked.”
And the more I learned, the more it appealed to me.
Chris shares the same investment approach he uses with his own money and the money he manages for clients.
That matters to me. He’s putting the approach into practice himself.
And the idea is to “skate to where the puck is going.”
To look for opportunities before they attract widespread attention.
But first, let me give you some background on Chris MacIntosh.
Chris MacIntosh, founder of Capitalist Exploits and editor of the Insider Newsletter.
Chris MacIntosh is a professional money manager and editor of the Insider Newsletter.
He’s also the founder of Capitalist Exploits, the investment research company that publishes the newsletter, and a principal at Glenorchy Capital, a private investment management firm.
Through Glenorchy, he puts the same broad investment approach into practice managing money for clients.
Earlier in his career, Chris worked at firms including JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, Robert Fleming & Co., and Invesco.
But corporate life wasn’t for him, so he left to build his own investment businesses.
He went on to build and sell multimillion-dollar companies, oversee millions of dollars in venture capital investments, and advise family offices around the world.
He’s also lived and invested from seven different countries.
To me, that combination of professional experience and firsthand investing across different markets is what makes his perspective interesting.
His background matters, but what I particularly value is how he brings that experience into the newsletter: explaining the bigger picture, connecting developments across countries and industries, and showing the reasoning behind his investment ideas.
That global perspective is one of the things I find most valuable about the service.
Brad McFadden brings decades of investing experience to Insider.
Brad McFadden is Capitalist Exploits’ chief investment officer and works alongside Chris on the research and investment ideas behind Insider.
Earlier in his career, Brad managed the wealth of high-net-worth clients at Henry Ansbacher and managed a proprietary trading book for Rand Merchant Bank.
His specialty is identifying opportunities in deeply out-of-favor sectors around the world and figuring out how to put those investment ideas into practice.
And he brings that experience to Insider.
Together, Chris and Brad combine their knowledge of global markets with practical experience in stock selection, trade execution, and portfolio construction.
They look for investment ideas they believe offer 3x or greater upside potential and explain the research behind them to subscribers.
Not every idea works out, of course.
But what appeals to me is getting research from people who actively manage their own money and money for clients. Their experience goes beyond writing newsletters, and I think that adds value to what they share.
How does the Insider Newsletter work?
Chris and his team share their research and stock ideas through detailed newsletters, published roughly every two weeks.
Each issue is typically 20 to 60 pages long and covers developments in the global economy, events affecting markets, and opportunities within the sectors they’re tracking.
In the issues I’ve read, Chris starts with a scenic picture sent in by a subscriber, followed by an overview of what he’ll cover.
The research includes charts and links to additional resources if you want to dig deeper.
What I like most is how Chris explains the bigger picture in plain language and connects it to specific investment ideas.
Toward the end of each issue, there’s a section called “The Big 5.”
This highlights five stock ideas that have caught the team’s attention, with an explanation of why they’re worth researching.
I’ve left out the stock names, but the screenshot gives you an idea of how this section is laid out.
Sometimes an issue revisits stocks discussed previously, so the five ideas aren’t necessarily five brand-new picks.
The write-ups explain what interests the team about each company and how it fits into their broader investment outlook, with supporting charts and company information.
You also get access to a searchable database of previous ideas, with links back to the original issues.
From there, it’s up to you to decide which ideas to research further and whether to invest through your own brokerage account.
You get more than stock ideas, though.
The service includes a five-part Investor Series covering the team’s investment process, from selecting stocks and building portfolios to deciding when to sell.
There’s also guidance on investing internationally and setting up brokerage accounts.
For me, that combination is a big part of the appeal: investment ideas, the thinking behind them, and practical guidance from people who manage money themselves.
What are they recommending now?
The opportunities Chris and Brad discuss depend on where they believe the best value is at any given time.
They aren’t tied to a particular investment theme, like technology or commodities. They look for promising sectors, then identify companies within those sectors that fit their approach.
When you join the Insider Newsletter, you get access to the latest issues and stock ideas, along with the archive of previous research.
That lets you see what they’re looking at and, just as importantly, why it interests them.
The detailed explanations and global perspective are a big part of why I find the newsletter worthwhile.
And the positive feedback extends beyond my own experience.
Insider by Capitalist Exploits has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot:
That is virtually unheard of in the investment newsletter space.
A common theme among the positive reviews I’ve read is appreciation for the straightforward commentary, detailed research, and deep-value investment approach.
Here are a few examples.
This reviewer says he’s been investing for more than 20 years and describes it as “by far the best service” he’s come across:
Another highlights the “no bullshit” approach and deep-value insights:
And this reviewer describes it as “unlike any other service” they’ve subscribed to:
For me, the Insider Newsletter stands out for its research, transparency, and value for money.
That doesn’t mean it will suit everyone.
Chris is outspoken and doesn’t shy away from controversial subjects. His commentary goes beyond individual companies to cover politics, economics, and events around the world.
I may not agree with all of his opinions, but I value his broader perspective, especially when he explains how it connects to the investment ideas.
And you can explore the service for just $1.
The trial costs US$1 for the first 30 days, then automatically renews at US$35 per month unless you cancel.
During the trial, you get access to the latest newsletter, the archive of past issues, and new issues published during those 30 days.
You also get the five-part Investor Series, which walks you through the team’s investment process.
For $1, I think that’s excellent value. You can read the research, explore the stock ideas, and decide whether you want to continue with the monthly subscription.
If you’re interested in deep-value investment ideas from professional money managers, I recommend giving Insider a try.
Click the button below to start your 30-day trial.
Join the Insider Newsletter for $1