Mohnish Pabrai's Presentation and Q&A at MDI, Gurgaon on December 26, 2014
Sep 14, 2023
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Mohnish Pabrai, investment fund manager and founder of Pabrai Investment Fund, discusses topics including his foundation, buying Iowa farm land, when to sell a stock, investing in India, and the impact of value investing on personal life.
Investing in India requires careful analysis of individual opportunities and an understanding of the changing landscape.
The Super 30 model shows the power of education in lifting families out of poverty with relatively small investments.
Understanding the intrinsic value of a stock before buying and having a trusted peer to discuss investment ideas are crucial for successful investing.
Deep dives
Investing in India: Outside my Circle of Comfort
The Indian markets are outside of my circle of comfort because I am not familiar enough with the landscape, the businesses, and the dynamics. Investing in India would require a deeper understanding of the local environment, similar to private equity investing. However, there are a few factors that make it interesting. India has a history of socialist policies that have hindered growth, but with a leader like Modi, there is a chance for significant change. If the government focuses on getting out of the way and allowing businesses to thrive, there is potential for significant growth in corporate profits. While there are risks and uncertainties, some bets in the banking sector seem favorable as banks tend to grow at a multiple of GDP. Overall, investing in India requires careful analysis of individual opportunities and an understanding of the changing landscape.
The Super 30 Model and Investing in Education
The Super 30 model and the power of education in lifting families out of poverty is fascinating. Through initiatives like Super 30, which prepare underprivileged students for the highly competitive IIT entrance exams, it is possible to change lives with relatively small investments. By spending a small amount to get students into IITs, it forces the government to spend significantly more on their education, ultimately lifting entire families out of poverty. This model has shown tremendous success and has the potential to create long-term, transformative impact.
Understanding the Opportunities and Risks in Indian Markets
Investing in Indian markets requires a careful assessment of the unique dynamics at play. While there are opportunities for significant growth, there are also risks and uncertainties. The markets have historically been shaped by socialist policies and a lack of business-friendly environment. However, with the potential for policy reforms and leadership changes, there is a chance for positive change. It is crucial to analyze individual opportunities, understand the competitive landscape, and stay informed about the changing dynamics in order to make informed investment decisions in the Indian markets.
Value Investing and the Importance of Selling
One of the main insights from the podcast is the importance of understanding the intrinsic value of a stock before buying and setting a clear selling strategy. The speaker emphasizes that selling is often more difficult than buying and discusses his own approach. He suggests that selling should be based on updating one's perspective on the stock's intrinsic value regularly. He also highlights the mindset of buying a business rather than just a stock, and the importance of evaluating whether the current stock price aligns with the perceived intrinsic value. The speaker also discusses the concept of buy and hold strategy, particularly in the context of India, emphasizing the possibility of finding long-run opportunities in the market.
The Value of Having a Trusted Peer for Investment Discussions
Another key point from the podcast is the value of having a trusted peer to discuss investment ideas and perspectives. The speaker shares his own experience of having conversations with a friend who holds different views on investments. He highlights the insights gained from such discussions, as they force him to articulate his thoughts clearly and consider different perspectives. The speaker also mentions a conversation with Charlie Munger, who emphasized the importance of having someone to talk to about investments. This conversation helps identify flaws in one's own arguments and enhances decision-making. The speaker recommends setting up a relationship where there is no vested interest and having an open and candid exchange of ideas.
Mohnish Pabrai's Presentation and Q&A at MDI, Gurgaon on December 26, 2014
(00:00:00) - Introduction (00:03:28) - Starting Pabrai Investment Fund (00:05:01) - Dakshana Foundation; the 2% model (00:12:42) - Dhandho Holdings (00:14:06) - Insurance vs. Investing (00:20:31) - Buying Iowa farm land (00:30:07) - Volatility: An advantage for auction driven markets (00:33:02) - When to sell a stock (00:39:14) - Munger: “I always had someone to discuss my investment ideas with.” (00:43:51) - Hero MotoCorp (00:48:51) - Opportunity cost of sitting on cash (00:53:37) - Investing in India (00:56:22) - The Dakshana journey (01:12:15) - Impact of value investing on personal life
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