Lessons from the master investor who has outperformed Warren Buffett since 2000

Lessons from a master investor and five stock tips

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Mohnish Pabrai is a name many investors would never have heard of.

Yet he is one of the true investing legends. His long-only shares fund has returned a total 517% to investors since its inception in 2000, compared to 43% for the US S&P 500 index.

Interestingly, his fund apparently doesn't charge management fees, but instead takes 25% of returns that are greater than 6%. A lesson many active Australian fund managers should put into practice in my opinion.

Here are a number of his most important lessons.

  1. Read Warren Buffett. According to Pabrai, he started by reading Warren Buffett's letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, and other books on Buffett.
  2. Treat shares as part ownership of businesses, much as Buffett recommends.
  3. Practice patience. Pabrai is following in the footsteps of Charlie Munger, where "money is made not in the buying or selling but in the waiting". He says if he can find a couple of investment ideas a year, that's plenty.
  4. Follow a checklist when researching companies. Some estimates suggest Pabrai's checklist is over one hundred check points. One group relates to leverage (or debt levels), while a second group considers the durability of the business's competitive advantage.
  5. Where does he get most of his ideas from? Where else but the financial filings of other value investors he admires, like Berkshire Hathaway, Seth Klarman's Baupost Group, and Marty Whitman's Third Avenue.

The first three steps are relatively simple for investors to understand and put into practice. Of course reality is the hard part, but being patient can be learnt over time.

If you want a short investing checklist, here's one written by David Parmenter, outlining a Warren Buffett style 'Investment Checklist". Pabrai also suggests that investors can build their own based on their own history of failures, "Rub your nose in your own failures," he urges.

Where to get ideas from? Easy. First port of call is Motley Fool Share Advisor of course. If that's not enough, have a read through the reports of some fund managers and see what they are buying.

One I admire is Pie Funds Management – a small New Zealand based fund manager, which has consistently outperformed the market. Here are some of the stocks Pie Funds currently hold and think have a great future ahead: Titan Energy Services Ltd (ASX: TTN), M2 Group Ltd (ASX: MTU), Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG), WDS Limited (ASX: WDS) and Vita Life Sciences Limited (ASX: VSC).

If that's not enough, here's an even better idea for you…

Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King owns shares in M2 Group and Berkshire Hathaway. You can follow Mike on Twitter @TMFKinga

More on ⏸️ Investing

Close up of baby looking puzzled
Retail Shares

What has happened to the Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) share price this year?

It's been a volatile year so far for the Aussie nursery retailer. We take a closer look

Read more »

woman holds sign saying 'we need change' at climate change protest
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs that invest in companies fighting climate change

If you want to shift some of your investments into more ethical companies, exchange-traded funds can offer a good option

Read more »

a jewellery store attendant stands at a cabinet displaying opulent necklaces and earrings featuring diamonds and precious stones.
⏸️ Investing

The Michael Hill (ASX: MHJ) share price poised for growth

Investors will be keeping an eye on the Michael Hill International Limited (ASX: MHJ) share price today. The keen interest…

Read more »

ASX shares buy unstoppable asx share price represented by man in superman cape pointing skyward
⏸️ Investing

The Atomos (ASX:AMS) share price is up 15% in a week

The Atomos (ASX: AMS) share price has surged 15% this week. Let's look at what's ahead as the company build…

Read more »

Two people in suits arm wrestle on a black and white chess board.
Retail Shares

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) share price stack up against Nick Scali (ASX:NCK)?

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW) share price stack up against rival furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited (ASX:…

Read more »

A medical researcher works on a bichip, indicating share price movement in ASX tech companies
Healthcare Shares

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since its IPO

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since the Polynovo (ASX: PNV) competitor listed on the ASX in July.…

Read more »

asx investor daydreaming about US shares
⏸️ How to Invest

How to buy US shares from Australia right now

If you have been wondering how to buy US shares from Australia to gain exposure from the highly topical market,…

Read more »

⏸️ Investing

Why Fox (NASDAQ:FOX) might hurt News Corp (ASX:NWS) shareholders

News Corporation (ASX: NWS) might be facing some existential threats from its American cousins over the riots on 6 January

Read more »