MINDSETMonths to result

The Connoisseurs' Approach

Invest for the long haul

Problem it solves

limiting beliefs

Best for

Investors with a long-term perspective and a willingness to hold onto investments for 10+ years

Not ideal for

Investors seeking short-term gains or frequent trading activity

Overview

Why this framework exists

The Connoisseurs' Approach is a long-term investing strategy that involves identifying companies with strong growth potential and holding onto them for 10+ years. This approach requires a high degree of conviction and a willingness to ride out market fluctuations. The Connoisseurs focus on investing in companies with predictable earnings growth, low negative surprise risk, and a strong competitive advantage.

Core principles

5 total
  1. Invest in companies with predictable earnings growth and low negative surprise risk
  2. Hold onto investments for 10+ years to ride out market fluctuations
  3. Focus on companies with a strong competitive advantage and a high degree of conviction
  4. Avoid frequent trading activity and minimize portfolio turnover
  5. Take small profits along the way to stay invested and avoid selling out too early

Steps

4 steps
  1. Identify companies with strong growth potential
    Look for companies with predictable earnings growth, low negative surprise risk, and a strong competitive advantage. Consider factors such as industry trends, competitive landscape, and management team.
    Pro tipUse a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify potential investment opportunities
    WarningAvoid relying solely on historical data or trends, as these may not be indicative of future performance
  2. Invest with a long-term perspective
    Hold onto investments for 10+ years to ride out market fluctuations and avoid frequent trading activity. Consider using a dollar-cost averaging approach to reduce timing risks
    Pro tipUse a tax-efficient investment strategy to minimize tax liabilities and maximize after-tax returns
    WarningAvoid making emotional decisions based on short-term market movements or news headlines
  3. Take small profits along the way
    Take small profits along the way to stay invested and avoid selling out too early. Consider using a trailing stop-loss or a tiered profit-taking approach
    Pro tipUse a disciplined approach to profit-taking to avoid emotional decisions and minimize regret
    WarningAvoid taking profits too early, as this may limit potential upside and lead to missed opportunities
  4. Stay invested and avoid selling out too early
    Stay invested in companies with strong growth potential and avoid selling out too early. Consider using a long-term investment horizon and a buy-and-hold approach
    Pro tipUse a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to identify potential sell signals and avoid emotional decisions
    WarningAvoid selling out too early, as this may limit potential upside and lead to missed opportunities

Checklist

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Examples

2 cases
Shoprite Holdings

A Connoisseur invested in Shoprite Holdings in 2009 and held onto the investment for 3 years, achieving a return of 231%. The Connoisseur took small profits along the way to stay invested and avoid selling out too early

OutcomeThe Connoisseur achieved a return of 104% after taking small profits along the way
Spirax-Sarco Engineering

A Connoisseur invested in Spirax-Sarco Engineering in 2007 and held onto the investment for 5 years, achieving a return of 105%. The Connoisseur took small profits along the way to stay invested and avoid selling out too early

OutcomeThe Connoisseur achieved a return of 70% after taking small profits along the way

Common mistakes

3 traps
Frequent trading activity
Frequent trading activity can lead to high transaction costs, tax liabilities, and missed opportunities. Avoid making emotional decisions based on short-term market movements or news headlines
Selling out too early
Selling out too early can limit potential upside and lead to missed opportunities. Consider using a long-term investment horizon and a buy-and-hold approach
Lack of conviction
A lack of conviction can lead to emotional decisions and a failure to stay invested in companies with strong growth potential. Consider using a disciplined approach to investing and a long-term perspective

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The Connoisseurs' Approach was developed by a group of successful investors who recognized the importance of long-term investing and the need to avoid frequent trading activity. They developed a set of principles and strategies that have been refined over time to help investors achieve their long-term goals.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
The Art of Execution
Lee Freeman-Shor · 2015
Open source →

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