Founder of Himalaya Capital, Charlie Munger's only external investment manager
"The essence of value investing is buying a business for less than it is worth."
Li Lu (born April 6, 1966) is a Chinese-American investor and founder of Himalaya Capital Management. He is one of the few fund managers to have Charlie Munger as a personal investor, and Munger has called him one of the finest investors he has ever known. Born in China during the Cultural Revolution, Li Lu was a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. After coming to the United States, he earned degrees from Columbia University in economics, law, and business. He founded Himalaya Capital in 1997. Li Lu is best known for introducing BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle and battery manufacturer, to Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway's investment in BYD, made in 2008, has been one of its most successful international investments. His investment philosophy combines Western value investing principles with deep knowledge of Asian markets, particularly China. Li Lu emphasizes understanding the fundamentals of businesses, investing within one's circle of competence, and maintaining a long-term perspective.
Understand the business deeply before investing. Read everything available. Talk to customers and competitors.
→Stay within your circle of competence. Only invest in what you truly understand.
→China represents one of the greatest investment opportunities of our time. Understand its unique dynamics.
→Think like an owner, not a trader. Would you want to own this entire business?
→If you truly understand a business, concentrate. A few great investments beat many mediocre ones.
→"The real risk in investing is the permanent loss of capital"
"not volatility."
"You have to be genuinely intellectually curious to be a good investor."
"The best investors are the best learners."
"Invest within your circle of competence and expand it gradually."