The Wall Street Skinny 88. Equity Long / Short Hedge Funds 101 Feat David Semenza, Co-Founder of Islander Capital Partners
15 snips
Jul 27, 2024 In this engaging discussion, David Semenza, Co-Founder of Islander Capital Partners and seasoned portfolio manager, dives into the world of Long/Short equity hedge funds. He explains how these funds differ from others and emphasizes the critical role of leverage. With insights from his journey from private to public equity, David shares strategies for success in the tech, media, and telecom sectors, highlights the importance of primary research, and discusses the intricacies of short selling while managing CEO relationships. A must-listen for aspiring investors!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Interest in Investing
- David Semenza's interest in investing started in his childhood, watching Wall Street Week with his dad.
- Despite being an applied math major, Semenza believes his athletic experience in soccer better prepared him for investing.
Mental Toughness from Soccer
- Being a goalie taught Semenza mental toughness, which is crucial for navigating the extreme highs and lows of the investing world.
- Resilience and the ability to learn from mistakes are essential for long-term success, even more so than just intelligence or hunger.
Unconventional Start in Private Equity
- Semenza landed a private equity job at Cerberus straight out of college, an unusual path at the time.
- He gained experience in distressed investing and private equity, building technical skills and learning about risk assessment.