The Most Important Thing

by Marks, Howard

• ISBN13: 9780231153683
• ISBN10: 0231153686
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-05-24
• Publisher: Columbia Univ Pr

Summary

Chairman and cofounder of Oaktree Capital Management, Howard Marks has been linked to Warren Buffett for his lucid assessments of market opportunities and risks. His memos to clients have long been consulted by the world's leading value investors. Now he brings his insightful commentary and investment philosophy to everyone. Informed by a lifetime of experience and study, Marks helps readers understand the keys to investment success and how to avoid the pitfalls that can destroy capital or ruin a career. Utilizing passages from his memos to illustrate his ideas, he teaches by example. Part memoir, part creed, the book shows the development of an investment philosophy that fully acknowledges the complexities of investing and the perils of the financial world. Marks's insight applies brilliantly to today's markets, supplying many broad takeaways for both the amateur and seasoned investor. Marks expounds on such concepts as "second-level thinking," the price/value relationship, patient opportunism, and defensive investing. His frank and honest assessment of his own decisions& -and occasional missteps& -provides valuable lessons on critical thinking, risk assessment, and investment strategy. Marks encourages investors to be "contrarian," to judge market cycles wisely, and to achieve returns through aggressive yet measured action. Which is the most essential element? Successful investing requires thoughtful attention to many separate aspects. Each of the subjects Marks covers is the most important thing.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
The Most Important Thing Is…
Second-Level Thinking	p. 1
Understanding Market Efficiency (and Its Limitations)	p. 7
Value	p. 16
The Relationship Between Price and Value	p. 24
Understanding Risk	p. 31
Recognizing Risk	p. 46
Controlling Risk	p. 57
Being Attentive to Cycles	p. 67
Awareness of the Pendulum	p. 73
Combating Negative Influences	p. 80
Contrarianism	p. 91
Finding Bargains	p. 100
Patient Opportunism	p. 107
Knowing What You Don't Know	p. 116
Having a Sense for Where We Stand	p. 124
Appreciating the Role of Luck	p. 133
Investing Defensively	p. 141
Avoiding Pitfalls	p. 153
Adding Value	p. 166
Pulling It All Together	p. 173
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Read Chapter 2: The Most Important Thing Is... Understanding Market Efficiency (and Its Limitations) (pdf)