Insider Newsletter Review (What to Know Before Joining)

Hi, and welcome to my review of the Insider Newsletter.

I’ve been a member of this newsletter service for a while now and decided to put this review together to share my experience and thoughts on it.

In short, the Insider Newsletter is a $35 per month Capitalist Exploits investment newsletter written by professional money manager Chris MacIntosh.

And each issue provides subscribers with unfettered global macro insights and asymmetric stock ideas targeting a minimum 300% return.

Is it worth it?

Some may not like the controversial nature of the Insider Newsletter, but it is a legitimate, high-value service and one I would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in getting no-BS insights and “deep value” stock ideas.

Another great thing about this service is that you can get started for $1.

This gives you full access to several brand-new issues (which are typically released weekly), the archives of all previous issues, and a page where you can see all of the stock picks.

So yes, I’d say it’s well worth it.

In this review, I’ll show you what the service is all about, who’s behind it, and what you get if you decide to join. I’ll also discuss what I believe are the main pros and cons.

About the Insider Newsletter

The Insider Newsletter is an investment newsletter edited by Chris MacIntosh of Capitalist Exploits, and it’s essentially the newsletter component of the full Insider service.

The newsletter issues are usually published weekly (or close to it), and the core focus is helping subscribers find opportunities in the global market that most investors are overlooking, with a view to making (minimum) 300% gains in the years ahead.

As with any service, there are no guarantees you’ll make those kinds of gains, but that’s the aim of the service – to find asymmetric investment opportunities.

In case you’re unfamiliar with that term, an asymmetric investment is essentially one with a lot more upside than downside potential. And these are the types of “deep value” opportunities that Chris MacIntosh and the Capitalist Exploits team seek out.

In short, they target quality companies in beaten-up, unloved sectors that are essential for society to function and that they believe have massive upside potential.

Another thing that makes the Insider Newsletter stand out from other newsletters I’ve joined is that it’s not tied to any one sector or geography.

As I mentioned earlier, the service is focused mostly on the oil and gas sector right now. But Chris MacIntosh seeks out opportunities across the globe and within numerous sectors depending on where he and his team spot asymmetry in the market.

So the service isn’t “wedded” to any one sector.

Nor does MacIntosh chase the latest “shiny” trends, like many other stock pickers.

And I think that’s part of what makes this a true contrarian newsletter. Because instead of hearing about the latest “hot stocks,” you learn about “deep-value” stocks in unloved sectors that MacIntosh, an expert money manager, believes could soar in the future.

It’s easy to follow their ideas, too. All you need is a regular brokerage account, and you learn exactly how to join the one they recommend once you subscribe.

Aside from stock tips, I’ve found the global macro insights you receive in each newsletter to be timely, well-researched, and straight to the point.

Each issue provides you with a detailed breakdown of what’s going on in the global economy and markets and shows you how this relates to the stock ideas MacIntosh shares.

I’ll delve deeper into what each newsletter involves shortly, but first, let’s take a closer look at the guy behind the newsletter, Chris MacIntosh.

Who Is Chris MacIntosh?

Chris MacIntosh is the founder of Capitalist Exploits, an independent investment research company, and he’s the editor of the Insider Newsletter.

On one investment site he contributes to called TalkMarkets, MacIntosh describes himself as an entrepreneur, investor, and speculator who was “baptized into the world of business and travel at a young age.”

And he says he’s made a “small fortune investing in businesses and markets.”

MacIntosh’s background is in law, financial planning, and investment banking. And according to the Capitalist Exploits blog, he’s worked for some of the largest investment banks in the world, including JPM, Lehman, Robert Flemmings, and Invesco.

However, MacIntosh says that a life of “suits and ties, mindless cocktail parties and corporate politics” wasn’t for him and that he’s gained more value and wealth through self-education and entrepreneurship.

“I have certainly gained more value and wealth from self education, entrepreneurial activities on the ground and being an avid student of the world always attempting but not always succeeding in understanding how and why it functions the way it does, than any university sanitized education could ever provide me with.”

Source: talkmarkets.com

To me, Chris MacIntosh’s “hands-on” approach and real-world experience are what separates him from the many “newsletter writers” out there.

Because rather than being a great newsletter salesman, he “walks the walk.”

Not only does he have decades of experience as an entrepreneur and investor, but MacIntosh also manages his private clients’ wealth through a money management firm called Glenorchy Capital.

Together with Brad McFadden (also a successful money manager), the company helps institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals build wealth.

And from what I understand, the strategy they use to manage their client’s money (and their own money) is similar to what is shared with subscribers of the Insider Newsletter.

Also worth mentioning is that Chris MacIntosh has lived in (and invested from) seven different countries throughout his career in finance.

And given that the Insider Newsletter helps you take advantage of global opportunities, this “boots on the ground” experience has no doubt contributed to the newsletter’s success.

What Is Capitalist Exploits?

Capitalist Exploits is the company behind the Insider Newsletter.

The official company name is Capex Internet Content LLC, but Capitalist Exploits is essentially the brand behind the services they offer.

Capitalist Exploits, which was founded by Chris MacIntosh in 2010, is essentially the brand behind the services they offer. But the official company name is Capex Internet Content LLC, which is a Dubai-based company.

As mentioned, Chris MacIntosh is the main guy who writes the newsletters. But Brad McFadden, MacIntosh’s business partner, helps out behind the scenes. And there’s a guy named Lucas that makes some of the training videos members get access to.

Aside from the Insider Newsletter, the main service the company sells is called Insider, which is essentially the full version of the Insider Newsletter that gives you added features.

The company also sells a service called Resource Insider, which is a mining-focused research service, but that’s an entirely separate service designed for accredited investors.

Is the company legit?

Yes, Capitalist Exploits is a legitimate company.

In fact, not only is it one of the highest-rated companies in the financial publishing space (more on this shortly), but it’s also one of the least well-known.

And I think the reason for this is that, instead of creating overhyped “presentations” to sell more newsletters, Capitalist Exploits focuses on providing value to their subscribers.

In other words, they under-sell and over-deliver.

And this, in my opinion, is one of the key reasons the company has been so successful and has so many glowing reviews online. People love their approach (more on this shortly).

The Insider Newsletter Investment Strategy

The core strategy behind the Insider Newsletter is to help subscribers find stocks with a minimum 300% upside potential within unloved, beaten-down sectors.

I like this strategy for two reasons:

• First, when you bet on a quality stock that’s already been smashed down in price, the downside potential can potentially be more limited.
• Second, when you combine that with a stock that has massive upside potential, you have an opportunity to build generational wealth.

This is what asymmetric investing, and the Insider Newsletter, is all about.

Buy low, sell high.

Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is.

But that’s typically not what we, as retail investors, are inclined to do. Instead, most of us tend to buy high (out of FOMO) and sell low (out of fear).

I know I’m guilty of this, anyway.

And that’s why I think the Insider Newsletter is so awesome… it shows you how to avoid the hype and “skate to where the puck is going.”

In other words, you learn how to invest like the pros.

As I said earlier, Chris MacIntosh runs a respected money management firm, so he knows what he’s doing. And as a subscriber of his Insider Newsletter, you get to benefit from his experience, as he shares the same types of strategies that he and his clients use.

How Does the Newsletter Work?

Each week, subscribers of the Insider Newsletter receive a new issue (which is typically between 15 to 40 pages long) that covers what’s going on in the economy, geopolitical events impacting markets, and the latest opportunities MacIntosh is tracking.

Each issue begins with a scenic picture of a sunset (which is sent in from different subscribers) and gives you an overview of what MacIntosh will be discussing.

Everything in the newsletter is broken down in an easy-to-understand way, and there are charts and links to external resources for those who want to know more.

And at the end of each issue, there’s something called “The Big 5.”

This is essentially a list of Chris MacIntosh’s top five stock ideas, along with the details behind why he’s bullish on each company.

Sometimes these are companies he’s already mentioned, so it’s not like you get five new stock picks a week (this isn’t a trading service), but he also shares new picks.

It really depends on what he’s most interested in at the time.

As with any service, it’s up to you whether or not you want to follow the ideas you receive in the newsletter. But as a subscriber, you get access to tips and training on how to follow their ideas using your own brokerage account.

There’s also training that breaks down their investment strategy in detail.

For example, this five-part video series shows you everything you need to know about getting started, understanding their investment philosophy, and modeling how they recommend building a portfolio.

And the above video series is accessible even without joining the service. So you might find that helpful if you want to know more about their strategy before deciding.

Does the Service Have a Good Track Record?

I can’t reveal the names of the companies Chris MacIntosh shares as part of the Insider Newsletter service, as it’s a paid service.

But as mentioned, the types of investments that you learn about as an Insider Newsletter subscriber are mostly stocks in unloved, beaten-down sectors that Chris MacIntosh believes have 300% or more upside potential in the years ahead.

How have their recommendations worked out?

There are numerous examples of triple-digit stock ideas that MacIntosh has shared with Insider Newsletter subscribers on the company website. And from what I understand, they recommended bitcoin in 2014 (which, full disclosure, is an asset I hold).

There isn’t a “model portfolio” with an Insider Newsletter subscription; that is reserved for the full Insider service. But the “Big 5” section at the end of each newsletter shows you what companies they’re interested in and why.

And there’s a “Big 5 Stock Database” page in the member’s area, which gives you a complete list of the stock ideas they’ve shared in the newsletters.

There’s also a link to the newsletter issue where the stock was mentioned in the far left column of the above table. So you can see why Chris MacIntosh is interested in the companies listed in the Big 5 Stock Database and access other relevant info.

At the end of the day, there’s no guarantee that you’ll make money following the Insider Newsletter stock ideas. No service can promise you that because investing is risky.

But Chris MacIntosh has shared some great picks with subscribers, and the service has a solid reputation, which I will elaborate on more now.

What Are Others Saying About Insider?

Capitalist Exploits’ Insider service has a near-flawless rating on Trustpilot. As of writing this (November 2022), the service has 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 375 reviews.

That’s not just good, it’s practically unheard of in the newsletter space.

From what I’ve seen, the most common theme among the positive reviews has to do with the quality of the insights, the no-BS approach, and the results people have seen.

You’ll see what I mean by checking out the link above, but here’s one example of a review someone left that I think sums it up well:

“Honest opinion presented through coherent arguments based on macro views of the World. Untainted by anything other than the desire to make money by exploiting deep inefficiencies in the markets. No bullisht, no being wedded to any idea, no vague ‘get rich quick’ scams – just deep value propositions laying out the investment thesis in plain language for the patient investor. I have been investing in the markets for a long time and have never paid for any investment ‘advice’. Stumbling across Capitalist Exploits changed all that and I signed up without hesitation.”

– Anu Agarwal (source: trustpilot.com)

Of course, no service is perfect. And while I didn’t find anyone calling the Insider Newsletter a scam, there are some complaints online.

For example, one person on Trustpilot said that they felt it was “more of a political opinion piece” than they expected. And another said they liked the service but more or less suggested the newsletters were politically incorrect.

I wasn’t surprised by these types of comments, though.

Why? Because as I said earlier, the newsletter is a bit controversial and does cover political topics, which can be a very touchy subject for some.

But to me, this is part of what makes the service unique.

Chris MacIntosh calls it as he sees it… even if it doesn’t fit the prevailing narrative, even if it is highly controversial, and even if it sometimes leads to negative comments.

Here’s how he puts it:

“Sometimes these truths are politically incorrect and unpalatable dependant on ones political leanings. We make no excuses for this. We call a spade a spade and call bullshit where we see it.”

– Chris MacIntosh (source: trustpilot.com)

As you can see, he’s brutally honest.

Furthermore, while the service does cater to those who value free markets and capitalism, and their viewpoints will likely align more with investors who are right-leaning politically, the company describes itself as apolitical.

Here’s a snippet from the Insider Newsletter FAQ page:

“We’re apolitical, and tend to receive grief from all colours of the political rainbow.”

[…]

“The Western world has become a lot more politically extreme, and so politics plays a much bigger role in the global macro sense, which is why we often cover politics where other fund managers cannot (due mostly to social pressure or immediate career risk). So fear not, we are not politically aligned – we are apathetic to all parties.”

Another point I want to make is that the political commentary isn’t just “thrown in” for the sake of it; the Insider Newsletter is NOT a political opinion piece.

It’s a global macro newsletter. And as such, you get insight into what’s happening in the global economy, financial markets, and the political space.

More importantly, you learn how to use what’s going on to your advantage as an investor.

So my point is that, whether you agree with his take or not, what Chris MacIntosh talks about in each newsletter is absolutely relevant to his investment thesis and the stock ideas he shares with you as a subscriber.

And when you consider that Insider is one of the highest-rated services in the financial publishing space (by far), I think it’s clear that they must be doing something right.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Insider Newsletter usually costs $35 per month.

However, they are currently running a special that allows you to join for $1.

For $1, you get access to the same Insider Newsletter service as those who pay the full price, and there are usually several newsletters released each month (sometimes weekly, but at least three-to-four times a month).

Once that trial is up after 30 days, if you decide to stick around, you will be billed $35. And this is a recurring fee that is charged every 30 days until you cancel.

Also, as I’ve mentioned several times now, the Insider Newsletter is the newsletter component of the full Insider service, which costs $2,499 per year.

But this is 100% optional. The full Insider service does come with added features (such as model portfolios, monthly Q&A sessions, and a chat forum), but you don’t need to join this service to benefit from the Insider Newsletter.

Furthermore, the company’s marketing is very ethical.

I’ve been a member of the Insider Newsletter for quite a while now and have never received any spammy emails from the company about upgrading, which is virtually the opposite of how most companies in the newsletter business operate.

Can You Get a Refund?

Capitalist Exploits gives new subscribers a $1 trial on the Insider Newsletter, so for that reason, they don’t provide a refund on the newsletter.

However, Capital Exploits DOES have a 30-day money-back guarantee in place for the full Insider service, which is good since that’s a much higher-priced service ($2,499).

Worth noting is that this is basically the opposite of how most financial publishing companies I’ve come across operate. Most of these companies usually offer a refund on their entry-level service while refusing cash refunds on their high-priced services.

As such, I think the fact that Capital Exploits allows you to try their newsletter for $1, and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on the full Insider service, speaks volumes about the company’s ethics and the confidence they have in the service they provide.

Pros and Cons of the Insider Newsletter

I’m a huge fan of the Insider Newsletter.

But no service is perfect, nor will the Insider Newsletter suit everyone.

So in this section, I’ll break down what I believe are the main pros and cons of the service to help you make a more informed choice about whether or not it’s worth joining.

Pros:

• I love the “asymmetric” strategy this service embraces and the way they show you how to structure your portfolio. To me, it’s both conservative and exciting at the same time. No strategy is perfect, but this gives you the best of both worlds (minimum downside potential, maximum upside potential).
• The newsletters themselves are jam-packed with value and the kind of insights you simply won’t find anywhere else. They’re also easy to read, make me laugh at times, and include resources like charts, links to blog posts, and videos to help you learn more. They are also very timely, given they are released several times a month.
• There are a lot of scams and overhyped stock advisories in this space. The Insider Newsletter isn’t one of them. In fact, it is one of the most ethical, transparent services I’ve come across. I’ve literally never seen a company in this industry with as high of a rating as Capital Exploits.
• I like that the service isn’t run by newsletter writers, it’s run by professional money managers who “walk the walk.” And to me, it shows. It’s almost like getting an “inside” look at how real hedge fund managers make money and being able to use their knowledge to build your own portfolio.
• Capital Exploits’ track record speaks for itself. They’ve recommended numerous triple-digit stocks, and many of the things they’ve forecasted/discussed have proven true, despite barely being considered highly controversial at the time.
• The fact you can get started for as little as $1 is incredible. This means that virtually anyone can check out the newsletters for an entire month with virtually zero risk. I would happily pay many multiples of this to learn from what they share in one newsletter alone.

Cons:

• The main thing I think will turn some people off is the political aspect of the newsletters and how they center around some of the most controversial topics of our time. On one hand, this is what makes the service unique because you’re learning how to “profit from the chaos,” so to speak. But on the other hand, some people may be turned off by the controversial nature of some of what is shared.
• The Insider Newsletter is the newsletter component of the full Insider service, which is a lot more expensive. You don’t need to upgrade to benefit from the Insider Newsletter, but Insider is essentially the full-featured version, and some might not like that there is an upsell involved.
• This isn’t really a “con,” but I think it’s worth emphasizing that this is NOT a get-rich-quick thing, it’s not a trading service, and there are no guarantees you’ll make money following the ideas you get as a subscriber. This is a newsletter designed for long-term investors who are prepared to take multi-year positions and reap the potential rewards of doing so.

Bottom Line: Is the Insider Newsletter Worth It?

The Insider Newsletter is well worth it, in my opinion, especially since you can try it out for $1 for the first 30 days. This is a service I wholeheartedly recommend.

It’s not going to help you get rich quickly or anything. But if you’re sick and tired of all the sensationalist nonsense in this space and want to learn how to build long-term wealth from professional hedge fund managers, I believe this service is well worth a look.

What if you’re not ready to join?

My suggestion would be to check out the five-part Investor Series I mentioned earlier, as this explains Chris MacIntosh’s investment philosophy in detail.

You could also check out the Capital Exploits blog, as this is updated regularly and should give you a basic idea about the type of content subscribers get access to.

If you’re still not convinced it’s worth giving it a shot after reading this review and checking out their free content, then there are alternatives.

For example, Lyn Alden’s Premium Research is another global macro stock advisory I’m subscribed to, which is well worth it, in my opinion.

And I’ve reviewed numerous other services on this blog lately.

I don’t recommend everything I review. In fact, quite the opposite; I’m very selective about the services I recommend. But this archive page shows you some of the other services I’ve reviewed on this blog lately, which you might find useful.

Just keep in mind that, regardless of which service you join, all investments carry risk. So you should always do your own research before deciding anything.

Anyway, I hope you found this review helpful, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to chime in below.