When investors turn their capital over to a professional, they expect to reap the benefits of quality research. To earn their pay, money managers need to hit the pavement and avoid falling into the trap of relying on mainstream investment research.

Most U.S. or North American growth portfolios have doubled in technology weighting and this is a mistake, says Peter J. Eichler Jr., chairman, chief executive, CEO and founder of Aletheia Research and Management Inc.

As bleak as it all looks, investors must recognize that the global economy is chugging along quite nicely. Tuning out the noise has never been more important.

Since 2008, investors have been wary of U.S. equities, seeking safe harbour in bonds or setting out for more exotic ports overseas. But the tide may slowly be turning to favour U.S. equities, which is just fine for those who rode out the storm.