Charlie munger (warren buffett’s partner at Berkshire Hathaway) was recently asked about his views on macro and he said something to the following effect (in my own words)
“If thing are bad now, they will get better in time. If they are fine now, something will go wrong in due course. We don’t make money by predicting the timing.
At Berkshire, we’re trying to swim well against the tide or with it, we just keep swimming.”
It was fashionable among value investors to completely ignore the macro till the crisis of 2008 – they spoke about it as a badge of honor.
– Understanding industry dynamics and trying to evaluate the long term economics of the company
– Understanding macroeconomic variables such as inflation, interest rates etc and trying to forecast or guess so as to make investment decisions.
The first element is crucial in understanding the company and its profitability in context of its industry. One needs to be aware of the competitive situation in the industry to be able to figure out the long term outlook for the company.
Lets look at an example. The capital goods industry is going through one of the worst cylical downturns in the last 10 years. The last time the industy went through such as patch was in the 2001-2003 time frame (I remember those times !).
If you can understand the economics of this industry and can find some high quality firms at reasonable prices, I am sure the returns over the next 2-3 years will be good. Let me give a tip – Look at a company like BHEL or blue star or thermax and ask these questions
- Are these companies likely to go out of business soon ? (current valuations seem to say so)
- Is it likely that these companies will do well once the cycle turns ? (though we don’t know the exact timing ?)
- Are these well managed companies with competitive advantages ? ( I believe they are)
The typical talking head on TV or broker needs to be right in the next 3 months. As an individual investor, I don’t have to play by the same rules. If I can find a company which will do well in the next 2- 3 years, I can ignore the near term outlook.
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Stocks discussed in this post are for educational purpose only and not recommendations to buy or sell. Please contact a certified investment adviser for your investment decisions. Please read disclaimer towards the end of blog.
I am invested in BHEL and Blue Star. I hope they stay in business. But the wait for the turnaround is terrible. Maybe it's true that value investors buy early (and sell too early).
In this environment you have to focus on macro, margin of safety and catalysts.
What you think about GRPL at current prices??. Screaming buy or wait…thanks in advance. Gian
Hi Rohit,The way GOI is doig Firesale on PSU.buying BHEL for long term perspectivemay not be a very good idea.Dis:holding BHEL in small quantity ,at rate close to 320:))RegardsAnurag
Hi, This thing is going in my miond for last 6 months as I am bachelor and don't have any financila resposibilty and hence can invest for 5 years also. Unfortuantely I ignored post due to title. But today saw its contnets and seemed very releavnt. I have created list of infra/CG stocks that would be able to survive till next cycle like Voltas, Crompton, Cummins etc .Can u please share ur views here for wider opinion http://www.valuepickr.com/forum/stocks-for-the-long-run/79709042