Published May 18, 2021

What makes a GREAT INVESTOR? | Episode 111 Joel Greenblatt

Joel Greenblatt, Managing Principal at Gotham Asset Management, delves into investment strategies, the importance of learning from mistakes, and his contributions to educational reform, offering a unique blend of financial insight and personal philosophy.
Episode Highlights
The Knowledge Project logo

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

  • Position Sizing

    Position sizing is crucial in investment strategy. emphasizes that being too timid with good ideas can be a significant mistake. He explains that larger positions should be taken when the downside risk is minimal, not necessarily when the potential upside is enormous 1. This approach allows for asymmetric returns, where the potential loss is limited, but the gains can be substantial 2.

       

    Evaluating Companies

    Evaluating management teams is more about their past capital allocation than their interview skills. finds that most CEOs and CFOs are impressive in person, but their track record in capital allocation is a more reliable indicator of future performance 3. He shares a humorous anecdote about hiring his partner, Rob Goldstein, who was a poor interviewee but proved to be a valuable asset 4.

       

    Market Speculation

    Market speculation, especially in companies with no earnings, poses significant risks. is not overly concerned about the valuations of tech giants like Amazon and Google, but he warns against speculative investments in companies that are not profitable 5. He points out that many money-losing companies have seen their stock prices soar, which is not a sustainable strategy 6.

       

    Value Investing

    Value investing involves buying good companies at reasonable prices. discusses how he and his partner analyzed Moody's, comparing it to Warren Buffett's investment in Coca-Cola, to determine its value 7. He believes in keeping investment strategies simple and continually learning from mistakes to improve over time 8.