Many LBOs are man-made disasters. When the price paid is excessive, the equity portion of an LBO is really an out-of-the-money call option. Many fiduciaries placed large amounts of the capital under their stewardship into such options in 2006 and 2007. — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
The government can always rescue the markets or interfere with contract law whenever it deems convenient with little or no apparent cost. (Investors believe this now and, worse still, the government believes it as well. We are probably doomed to… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
Unlike return, however, risk is no more quantifiable at the end of an investment that it was at its beginning. Risk simply cannot be… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
Because investors are not usually penalized for adhering to conventional practices, doing so is the less professionally risky strategy, even though it virtually guarantees… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
There is an old saying, "How did you go bankrupt?" And the answer is, "Gradually, and then suddenly." The impending fiscal crisis in the… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
In a rising market, everyone makes money and a value philosophy is unnecessary. But because there is no certain way to predict what the… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
Ultimately, nothing should be more important to investors than the ability to sleep soundly at night. — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
Warren Buffett once wrote that value investing is like an inoculation--it either takes or it doesn't--and when you explain to somebody what it is… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
It is important to remember that value investing is not a perfect science. It is an, with an ongoing need for judgment, refinement, patience,… — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
Value investing is at its core the marriage of a contrarian streak and a calculator. — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
The avoidance of loss is the surest way to ensure a profitable outcome. — Seth Klarman Copy Share Image
