Rethinking Investment Strategy in an Era of Change with Seth Cogswell

The investment landscape is changing dramatically, and Seth Cogswell of Running Oak believes most investors aren't prepared. "People have gotten away with investing without thinking for the last decade," he observes, pointing to fundamental shifts that could upend conventional portfolio strategies.

At the heart of this change lies the potential reversal of globalization—a multi-decade trend that has kept corporate profit margins artificially inflated and supported unprecedented valuations in certain market segments. This shift creates both dangers and opportunities that demand a more thoughtful approach to portfolio construction.

The conversation reveals a critical blind spot in how most investors structure their portfolios. Between large-cap dominated passive funds (where often just eight companies represent 60% of holdings) and small/mid-cap allocations sits an overlooked space with compelling characteristics. Mid-caps have outperformed large caps by 60 basis points annually over 33 years while maintaining lower valuations—creating what Seth describes as "the most attractive asymmetry within the US equity market."

Seth makes a compelling case for disciplined investing focused on three core principles: maximizing earnings growth, avoiding companies that should go down (particularly those with unreasonable valuations), and mitigating drawdowns. This rules-based approach removes emotion from the investment process and has proven valuable through various market cycles.

The discussion also explores how companies that have taken on significant debt primarily to repurchase shares may face difficulties if we enter a recession or if interest rates remain elevated. "You go back to the end of bull markets, that's where the most crowded, most popular trades drop 50% in a few months," Seth warns, highlighting why investors should reassess concentration risks in their portfolios.

Whether you're concerned about potential market turbulence or simply looking to optimize your portfolio construction, this conversation offers valuable perspective on finding opportunities in overlooked market segments through disciplined, logical investment approaches that focus on sustainable growth and risk management.

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