Seth Klarman: Sacrilege but necessary rethinking of Graham

Should it have passed your attention, here in June 2023 there is a new seventh edition of perhaps the most recognized investment book among fundamental investors – David Dodd and Benjamin Graham’s Security Analysis.

With a first publication back in 1934, it must be said to have stood the test of time and in the new edition a number of the world’s most recognized value investors give their reflections on the different parts of the book.

In an interview with Institutional Investor, Klarman says that there are parts of the book where he has had to challenge the book’s premises because the world – not so surprisingly – has changed in the almost 90 years since its publication. According to Klarman, the book’s major focus on companies’ balance sheets is not as critical as it was almost a century ago, but the world is certainly not just cash flow:

Graham and Dodd’s emphasis on book value may have been supplanted by newer metrics, but their focus on balance sheet analysis remains valid.

Share the news

Disclaimer of liability

The above has been prepared by Børsgade ApS for information purposes and cannot be regarded as a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any security. Nor can the information etc. be regarded as recommendations or advice of a legal, accounting or tax nature. Børsgade cannot be held liable for losses caused by customers’/users’ actions – or lack thereof – based on the information in the above. We have made every effort to ensure that the information in the above is complete and accurate, but cannot guarantee this and accept no liability for errors or omissions.

Readers are advised that investing may involve a risk of loss that cannot be determined in advance, and that past performance and price development cannot be used as a reliable indicator of future performance and price development. For further information please contact info@borsgade.dk

You might also find this interesting:

Michael Mauboussin: Drawdowns Are The Unavoidable Cost of Long-Term Investing

Michael Mauboussin from Morgan Stanley Investment Management have published a comprehensive analysis examining stock market drawdowns and recovery patterns from 1985 to 2024. The research reveals that even the most successful investments experience severe price declines, with the median stock suffering an 85% drawdown that takes 2.5 years from peak to trough.

The study analyzed over 6,500 companies and found that more than half never recover to their previous highs. Michael’s work demonstrates that large drawdowns are an inevitable feature of equity investing, affecting individual stocks, mutual funds, and even portfolios with perfect foresight.

Thomas Gayner: My Current Take on Novo Nordisk

In his interview, Tom Gayner, CEO of Markel Group, reflects on investment principles shaped by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, and offers a detailed assessment of Novo Nordisk. Gayner praises Novo Nordisk for its business quality, global leadership in diabetes treatment, and strong growth trajectory. He credits the company’s disciplined management and innovation in pharmaceuticals as exemplary, aligning with his own standards of long-term value creation.

Michael Mauboussin: Put Expected Value In Your Valuation Toolkit

In this article, Michael Mauboussin explores how investors can generate excess returns by focusing on the gap between price and value, emphasizing the practicalities and psychology of expected value in investment decisions. He explains that while price is observable, value is inherently probabilistic, requiring careful estimation of possible payoffs and their probabilities.

The paper covers the challenges of modeling uncertainty, the importance of considering both probabilities and payoffs, the psychological hurdles investors face (like loss aversion), and best practices for applying these concepts across asset classes.

Bill Ackman: Success is Not A Straight Line Up

In the 2025 UBS Berkshire Hathaway Fireside Chat, Bill Ackman and Ryan Israel from Pershing Square Capital discuss investment philosophy, market volatility, the impact of tariffs and geopolitics, and lessons from Warren Buffett.

The conversation covers how to identify durable, high-quality businesses, the importance of long-term thinking, and the evolving landscape for activist investing. Ackman shares personal reflections on resilience, mentorship, and the role of free speech, while both speakers provide practical advice for young investors and fund managers.