OUR PHILOSOPHY
Quality, Value and Timing
Our asset selection philosophy is based on the dual pillars of quality and value.
We are also contrarian with respect to timing, not in the sense that we blindly oppose the prevailing trend, but rather that we move against the herd when we believe that excesses of optimism or pessimism prevail. This disciplined combination assists us in buying high-quality shares at reasonable prices while minimising risk, which we define as the likelihood of sustaining a permanent capital loss. These factors differentiate Belmont from many other asset managers.
Investment Process
We specialise in “top-down” asset allocation and “bottom-up” selection of the highest quality securities from rigorously screened universes, both offshore and onshore. Internationally, shares are selected from the FT Global 500 Index, while collective instruments such as funds and investment trusts are chosen from our “best of breed” selection. Locally, shares are chosen from the JSE Top 40 Index and collective instruments are not used.
Share Selection and Portfolio Weighting
We only invest in shares of companies that have been assessed for:
Excellent management
Superior long-term earnings growth rates
Sustainability and predictability of earnings
Sufficient tradeability
Excellent management
Superior long-term earnings growth rates
Sustainability and predictability of earnings
Sufficient tradeability
We ensure that portfolios retain focus, but with sufficient diversification. Our typical exposure range per security is 5% to 15% of the total portfolio, which is more concentrated than the industry norm. Clients who prefer more diversification will have a greater proportion of collective instruments in their offshore portfolios.
“Mistaken professors have been too much influenced by “rational man” models of human behaviour from economics and too little by “foolish man” models from psychology and real-world experience.”