📖John Templeton

Proven Management Track Record

🌿 Intermediate★★★★☆

Seek proven management that creates shareholder value.

💬

Look for companies whose management has a proven track record of creating shareholder value. Past performance of management is the best predictor.

— Templeton's Way with Money,2012

🏠 Everyday Analogy

Valuation is like buying a house: the asking price reflects mood, but true value comes from structure, location, and long-term utility. Good assets still need sensible prices.

📖 Core Interpretation

In Proven Management Track Record, John Templeton focuses on the gap between price and value. Returns come from paying less than what a business is worth, not from guessing short-term market moves.
💎 Key Insight:Good management track records predict future success.

AI Deep Analysis

Get personalized insights and practical guidance through AI conversation

❓ Why It Matters

Ignoring valuation turns even good companies into poor investments. Overpaying compresses future returns and leaves little margin when assumptions are wrong.

🎯 How to Practice

Estimate intrinsic value with conservative assumptions, set clear buy ranges, and act only when price offers a meaningful discount with acceptable downside.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Confusing a low price with true cheapness
Using one metric without business context
Overly optimistic assumptions that erase margin of safety

📚 Case Studies

1
Pre‑Crash Profit Taking (1987)
Ahead of the October 1987 crash, Templeton sold selected U.S. and developed‑market equities that had doubled or more, following his valuation and discipline rules.
✨ Outcome:Losses were limited during the crash, and cash raised was redeployed into high‑quality stocks at distressed prices.
2
1973–74 Bear Market Bottom (1974)
After oil shock and recession, US stocks plunged ~45%. Sentiment was deeply negative and many predicted prolonged stagnation.
✨ Outcome:Templeton bought broadly near lows; over the next decade, US equities entered a long bull market, compounding substantial returns.

See how masters handle real scenarios?

30 real investment dilemmas answered by legendary investors

Explore Scenarios →