

Ep 25: John Hempton - Hunting Fraud
5 snips Oct 31, 2018
John Hempton, founder and chief investment officer of Bronte Capital, dives deep into the art of spotting great long-term investments and uncovering fraud. He shares his journey from tax policy to forensic accounting, showcasing a unique blend of expertise. The conversation unveils strategies for strategic ownership in giants like Costco and Amazon, along with insights into identifying enduringly profitable companies. Hempton also discusses the vital role of activist investors in exposing corporate misconduct, emphasizing the balance between passion and success in finance.
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Forensic Accounting Origins
- John Hempton honed his forensic accounting skills working on tax avoidance cases at the Australian Treasury.
- This experience taught him to analyze complex financial documents and identify discrepancies, sometimes uncovering fraud.
Best Business Model
- The best businesses develop global scale and share benefits with customers, becoming hard to compete with.
- Examples include Costco and Amazon, which have significantly lower operating costs than traditional retailers.
Selling Identity
- Selling identity or changing self-perception is a highly profitable business model.
- Hempton uses the examples of Louis Vuitton handbags and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to illustrate this.