David Swensen vs William Gann: Investment Philosophy Compared

Comparing 48 vs 50 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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William Gann

William Gann

50 principles

Investment Style: Technical Analysis, Pattern Recognition, Time Cycles, Geometric Analysis

William Delbert Gann (June 6, 1878 – June 18, 1955) was an American trader and analyst who developed the technical analysis methods known as Gann angles, the Gann square, and the hexagon chart. He is ...

Common Investment Topics

Both David Swensen and William Gann share principles on these topics.

TopicDavid SwensenWilliam Gann
Investment Psychology3 principles 3 principles
Stock Picking3 principles 3 principles
Business Quality3 principles 3 principles
Business Judgment3 principles 3 principles
Margin of Safety3 principles 3 principles
Thinking Methods3 principles 3 principles
Value Assessment3 principles 3 principles
Circle of Competence3 principles 3 principles
Market Psychology3 principles 3 principles
Risk Management3 principles 3 principles
Investment Philosophy3 principles 5 principles
Buying Principles3 principles 3 principles
Mental Models3 principles 3 principles
Long-Term Investing3 principles 3 principles
Life Wisdom3 principles 3 principles
Selling & Review3 principles 3 principles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between David Swensen and William Gann as investors?

David Swensen has 48 investment principles and William Gann has 50. They share insights on 16 common topics, yet each brings unique perspectives and methodologies that complement each other.

What do David Swensen and William Gann have in common?

David Swensen and William Gann 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 William Gann to learn investing?

Both masters offer invaluable wisdom. David Swensen with 48 principles and William Gann with 50 principles cover complementary aspects of investing. Studying both provides a more complete investment framework.