David Swensen vs Howard Marks: Investment Philosophy Compared

Comparing 48 vs 48 investment principles across 16 common topics

David Swensen

David Swensen

48 principles

Investment Style: Institutional Investing, Alternative Assets, Diversification, Long-term Orientation

David Frederick Swensen (January 26, 1954 – May 5, 2021) was an American investor and the chief investment officer at Yale University from 1985 until his death. He transformed Yale's endowment from $1...

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Howard Marks

Howard Marks

48 principles

Investment Style: Value Investing, Distressed Debt, Contrarian, Risk-Focused

Howard Stanley Marks (born April 23, 1946) is an American investor and writer. He is the co-founder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, one of the world's largest investors in distressed se...

Common Investment Topics

Both David Swensen and Howard Marks share principles on these topics.

TopicDavid SwensenHoward Marks
Value Assessment3 principles 3 principles
Business Quality3 principles 3 principles
Selling & Review3 principles 3 principles
Margin of Safety3 principles 3 principles
Stock Picking3 principles 3 principles
Long-Term Investing3 principles 3 principles
Investment Psychology3 principles 3 principles
Life Wisdom3 principles 3 principles
Circle of Competence3 principles 3 principles
Business Judgment3 principles 3 principles
Thinking Methods3 principles 3 principles
Risk Management3 principles 3 principles
Investment Philosophy3 principles 3 principles
Market Psychology3 principles 3 principles
Buying Principles3 principles 3 principles
Mental Models3 principles 3 principles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between David Swensen and Howard Marks as investors?

David Swensen has 48 investment principles and Howard Marks has 48. They share insights on 16 common topics, yet each brings unique perspectives and methodologies that complement each other.

What do David Swensen and Howard Marks have in common?

David Swensen and Howard Marks share principles across 16 investment topics. These common themes represent the most fundamental ideas in investing, approached from different but complementary angles.

Should I follow David Swensen or Howard Marks to learn investing?

Both masters offer invaluable wisdom. David Swensen with 48 principles and Howard Marks with 48 principles cover complementary aspects of investing. Studying both provides a more complete investment framework.