Far From The Finishing Post

Seth Brennan is co-founder of Lincoln Peak Capital, which owns minority stakes in several asset management companies, including Troy. We discuss Lincoln Peak's long-term partnership model and the importance of autonomy and a strong alignment of interests as foundations for success.Show notes:[01:15] Seth discusses how he got into the industry[02:49] Joining Affiliated Managers Group[03:43] Lessons from AMG[06:37] Setting up Lincoln Peak[07:51] Starting a business in 2008[10:01] The importance of having long-term capital[14:10] Lincoln Peak’s long-term ambitions[16:20] Exits[18:51] The due diligence process and reasons for a transaction[22:53] Importance of autonomy and alignment[25:01] Adding value to partner firms[28:26] Avoiding the temptation to intervene[31:52] Continuing relevance of active management[34:44] Catalyst for Troy transaction[35:35] Why Lincoln Peak is a good partner for Troy[37:14] Sebastian’s strengths as an investor[38:35] Be curious and ask questions

Matthew McLennan, co-head of First Eagle’s Global Value team, shares insights shaped by his unique upbringing in Papua New Guinea and Australia. He discusses the importance of humility and patience in investing while emphasizing resilience within his portfolio. The conversation touches on the challenges of passive investing, the need for active strategies, and the role of gold and cash in maintaining market health. McLennan also highlights the significance of distinguishing between market noise and enduring trends to create resilient wealth.

Gabrielle Boyle and George Viney co-manage Troy’s Global Equity strategy, bringing a keen intellect and a love for markets to their roles. They discuss how the market often undervalues exceptional companies and highlight the power of compounding. The duo emphasizes the importance of recognizing biases and cultivating continuous improvement in investing. Their teamwork, characterized by cognitive diversity and shared values, allows them to adapt strategies effectively while maintaining discipline in a dynamic market.

Dan Davidowitz, lead portfolio manager at Polen Capital, shares his transformative journey from public health to investing. He discusses the essential guardrails that ensure exceptional returns over four decades. Simplicity in investment strategies is key, along with the importance of optimism and adaptability. Davidowitz highlights the impact of GenAI on valuations and why Amazon holds a significant position in his portfolio. He emphasizes vigilance in capital allocation to ensure continuous earnings growth and the need for a balanced, high-quality investment mix.

In this episode we speak to Robbie Robertson.  Robbie is on the Board of Personal Assets Trust and spent a nearly 40-year career in the investment trust industry.  We discuss the evolution of the investment trust industry, the advantages of a closed-end structure and the role Personal Assets Trust can play in a portfolio.  Show notes: [01:28] A different world [03:17] Observations from a career in the investment trust industry [06:42] Characteristics of successful investors [08:03] How Robbie got involved with Personal Assets Trust [09:03] Advantages of the investment trust structure [11:39] Evolution of the investment trust industry [15:05] Impact of higher interest rates and a changing cycle [16:48] Are they investment trusts or operating companies? [20:54] Valuing assets in newer parts of the market [22:24] Appropriateness of the investment structure for alternative assets [23:57] Is there demand for general equity investment trusts? [25:51]  Why some investment trusts scale and others fail [27:25] Common pitfalls to avoid [28:57] Trading discounts [30:50] What makes a great investment trust Board? [32:58] The role Personal Assets Trust plays in a portfolio [37:56] Advantages of a discount control mechanism [39:36] Why most Boards do not commit to a discount control mechanism [40:47] Enjoy yourself

In this episode we speak to Jim Strang, Chairman of HGCapital Trust.  The Trust has an outstanding track record investing in business-to-business software companies.  We discuss the evolution in private markets over Jim’s career, the benefits of specialisation and the reasons behind Hg Capital’s success.Show notes:[01:15] Jim discusses his early career[02:12] HgCapital Trust’s history[03:41] The benefits of specialisation[05:56] The importance of controlling the capital structure[08:02] Characteristics of typical Hg investments[10:07] The growth model[11:29] End market fragmentation[13:29] Being highly selective[16:25] Having the flexibility to own the best businesses over the long run[18:07] Replicating Hg’s success in the US[19:58] Why Hg is an attractive owner for entrepreneurs[22:35] Sustaining Hg’s culture and using greater scale to drive operational improvement.[25:25] Objectively assessing each company’s potential[27:03] Low loss rates and a few major successes[27:57] Why things typically go wrong[30:22] Leverage and the capital structure[33:33] Valuing private companies[38:43] M&A in a higher interest rate environment[40:54] Trust your gut

Stuart Widdowson founded Odyssean Capital, is co-manager of the Odyssean Investment Trust, and has a wealth of experience investing in UK-listed smaller companies.  We discuss the lessons Stuart has applied to public equity investing from his days in private equity, the rewards derived from investing in good quality companies that can be improved, and the overall state of the UK market. Show notes:[01:28] Stuart discusses his early career[04:12] Swapping private equity for public equity investing[06:11] The market imperfections in small cap investing[07:44] A focus on global niche market leaders[09:35] Stuart’s ambitions for Odyssean Capital and its cultural values[11:51] The meaning behind the Odyssean name[12:49] The benefits of concentration[14:25] Managing risk and avoiding bad businesses[16:41] The quality attributes Stuart looks for[19:38] Pattern recognition in TMT, healthcare, specialist industrials and services[22:18] Being cycle aware rather than trying to time cycles[24:18] The role of static and dynamic valuation[28:20] Managing for liquidity[31:27] Identifying companies with the potential for self-help[34:15] Backing people and focusing on what is fixable[36:05] Being credible when engaging with companies[39:37] The structural headwinds facing UK equities and the valuation opportunity[43:16] Contrarians come in first[44:18] Navigating a higher cost of capital[47:20] Find out what you enjoy and are good at and get a good mentor

In this episode, Oddbjørn Dybvad, co-founder of REQ Capital, discusses acquisition-driven compounders and their entrepreneurial energy. They explore the risk and return characteristics of these businesses, the influence of geography, and the benefits of decentralization and insider ownership. They also touch on motivating behavior through incentivization structures, the valuation differential between public and private markets, and evolving preferences for investing.

Kiril Sokoloff founded 13D Research in 1983 and is a leading global investment strategist who has presciently called a number of major paradigm shifts over the last 40 years.  We discuss Kiril’s career, why the current investment backdrop is so challenging and how the geopolitical landscape is evolving.Show notes:[01:23] Kiril talks about the start of his career[04:18] Getting the big picture right[07:48] The impact of algorithmic trading and passive investing on price discovery [09:57] Timing is everything[10:48] Risk control and being willing to change your mind[12:39] The common traits of successful investors[14:44] Reading widely to connect the dots[15:41] Why the investment environment is so challenging[19:18] The lag effect giving the illusion that everything’s fine[21:14] The role gold plays in a portfolio[24:19] The cycle of wealth distribution[25:54] Cycles  go from one extreme to the other[26:45] Focusing on cash flow and low free cash flow multiples[28:23] Supply and demand imbalances in the energy and mining industries[30:47] Resource nationalism[32:21] A changing market regime[33:35] Drivers of higher inflation[37:33] Geopolitics and the shift to a multipolar world[40:21] Investing in China[42:15] Accepting fate whilst being flexible and patient

Prashant Khemka has a strong track record managing capital in India and global emerging markets. He established Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s India franchise in 2006, was lead portfolio manager of Goldman’s India Equity and Global Emerging Market Equity strategies, and in 2017 founded White Oak Capital Management, where he has continued to deliver impressive returns.  We discuss Prashant’s investment philosophy, how to build a high performing team, why investing is similar to elite sport, and the attractions of investing in India.Show notes:[01:27] Catching the investment bug[04:04] Prashant’s early career[06:16] Learning from a mentor[08:10] Building a strong investment culture[10:25] Having an elite performance mentality[13:02] The key attributes of good stock pickers[14:39] India is an alpha rich market[15:46] The importance of good governance and a strong rule of law[17:55] India’s equity market is becoming more efficient but it takes time[20:26] India’s economic strength provides a solid foundation[22:24] Growth is a function of change[25:04] Investing in great businesses at attractive valuations[29:10] Emerging market private sector banks offer more profitable opportunities with lower risk[32:44] Indian equity valuations relative to history[36:41] Growth is a critical component of the value equation[38:47] Spend more time with family and focus on learning what you love