LSE Focal Point Podcast Alistair Wittet - Portfolio Manager at Comgest
Dec 13, 2023
Alistair Wittet, a Portfolio Manager at Comgest with a background at Citi and abrdn, shares insights from his extensive finance experience. He reflects on his early investment lessons during the dot-com bubble and the importance of diverse perspectives in investing. Wittet discusses assessing high-growth companies using Lindy's Law and the advantages of established firms. He highlights how political and economic changes shape investment strategies, stressing the significance of fundamentals and long-term approaches in a rapidly evolving economy.
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Early Investing Anecdote
- Alistair Wittet started investing as a child during the dot-com bubble, investing £100 in tech stocks with his siblings. - Early experience taught him the risks of bubbles and sparked his interest in stock markets.
Value of Diverse Backgrounds
- Having an unusual or international background offers a competitive advantage in investing by spotting overlooked opportunities. - Diverse backgrounds and perspectives bring unique insights to a competitive stock market industry.
Benefits of Concentrated Portfolios
- Diversification eliminates most stock-specific risk with 15 to 20 stocks, beyond which benefits diminish. - Concentrated portfolios enhance understanding of investments and reduce risk of poor knowledge.