#20. Julian Robertson

The Investor with a Midas Touch

Julian Robertson

#20 on my list is Julian Robertson, a highly respected investor who has had a tremendous impact on the financial world. Sadly Robertson passed away a couple of months ago at age 90.  According to Forbes, he left a net worth of $4.8 billion.

Robertson, established Tiger Management, a hedge fund that was once ranked among the largest and most profitable in the world. He was renowned for mentoring several cohorts of prominent fund managers, often referred to as Tiger Cubs.

This article will explore Julian Robertson’s investment strategies and principles, his most famous deals, his famous quotes, and some little-known trivia about him.

 

Julian Robertson’s Investment Strategies and Principles

Julian Robertson is known for his value investing approach, which involves finding undervalued stocks and holding them for a long time until they reach their full potential. He is also known for his focus on the importance of management and his belief in the power of thorough research.

Robertson’s investment philosophy is centred around the concept of “buying the best companies at the right price.” He believed that the key to successful investing is to buy high-quality companies with good management teams that are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. This approach involves extensive research and analysis to identify companies with strong fundamentals that are trading at a discount to their fair value.

One of Robertson’s most significant contributions to the investment world was his emphasis on the importance of portfolio diversification. He believed that diversification was the key to managing risk and reducing volatility. To this end, he invested in a wide range of industries and companies, avoiding over-concentration in any one sector or stock.

Robertson’s investment strategies and principles have led to impressive results. During his time managing Tiger Management, his fund delivered an average annual return of 31.7% for more than two decades, making him one of the most successful hedge fund managers of all time.

 

Julian Robertson’s Most Famous Deals

One of Julian Robertson’s most famous investments was in Amazon. In the late 1990s, Robertson invested in the company when it was still a small online bookstore. At the time, Amazon was struggling, and many investors had lost faith in the company. But Robertson saw the potential in the company and decided to invest. His investment paid off handsomely, as Amazon went on to become one of the most successful companies in the world, and Robertson’s investment generated significant returns for his investors.

Another famous investment made by Robertson was in Yahoo!. In the early 1990s, Robertson invested in Yahoo! when it was still a small startup with just a handful of employees. Again, his investment paid off handsomely, as Yahoo! became one of the most successful companies of the dot-com era.

 

Julian Robertson’s Famous Quotes

Julian Robertson is known for his pithy and insightful quotes on investing. Here are a few of his most famous quotes:

“If you want to have good ideas, you must have many ideas.” – This quote is relevant to the article as it highlights the importance of thorough research and diversification in investing, two principles that Julian Robertson adheres to.

“The only way you can have too much cash is if you’re on fire.” – This quote emphasizes the importance of having a strong cash position, which is a key principle in Julian Robertson’s investment strategy.

“The most important thing in life is your family. There are days you love them, and others you don’t. But, in the end, they’re the people you always come home to. Sometimes it’s the family you’re born into and sometimes it’s the one you make for yourself.” – This quote showcases Julian Robertson’s philanthropic side, as he is known for his generous donations to various charitable causes, including education and conservation. It also highlights the importance of family values to him.

 

Little-Known Trivia about Julian Robertson

Here are a few little-known facts about Julian Robertson:

  • Robertson was born in 1932 in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA.
  • Beforelaunching Tiger Management in 1980, Robertson worked for Kidder Peabody and Co. and later founded his own investment firm, Tiger Management, which grew to become one of the most successful hedge funds in history.
  • Robertson is an avid golfer and has won numerous amateur championships. He even co-founded a golf course, the Kauri Cliffs Golf Course, in New Zealand, which has been named one of the world’s top golf courses.

  • Robertson is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including education and conservation.

  • In 1993, Robertson was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame.

 

Conclusion

Julian Robertson is a legendary investor who has made a significant impact on the financial world. His investment strategies and principles, including his emphasis on value investing, diversification, and thorough research, have led to impressive returns for his investors. Robertson’s famous investments in Amazon and Yahoo! demonstrate his ability to identify undervalued companies with significant growth potential.

His famous quotes highlight the importance of emotional intelligence and understanding the companies you invest in. Julian Robertson’s success and influence on the investment world make him a true icon in the industry.

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