Charlie Aitken, the founder of Aitken Investment Management, joined me for an episode of The Australian Investors Podcast.
Charlie was Australia’s most widely known stockbroker before he started his own investment management company.
Charlie started his career on the floors of the Sydney futures exchange, picking up trade slips from experienced brokers. Eventually, he moved into a role where he would provide colourful market updates which were read by investors around the world.
In this episode, Charlie tells us why his mum was the investor in the family, why he backed one of Australia’s top-performing companies over the past 20 years and how and why he buys the best companies from Australia, Asia and beyond.
Please enjoy this episode with Charlie Aitken.
Stream or Download (free):
— iTunes — Soundcloud — Castbox — YouTube —
Show Notes:
- 0:45 – Intro to Charlie
- 1:40 – Charlie’s investing DNA & why his mum was the best investor
- 3:30 – Charlie doesn’t finish uni
- 4:45 – How to become a stock broker: Call your dad
- 5:30 – Writing newsletters for NatWest, Southern Cross & Bell Potter
- 6:40 – Charlie’s tips for writing notes (avoid politics)
- 8:50 – Backing Fortescue (pre resources boom)
- 12:00 – How Charlie’s investment philosophy has evolved
- 14:00 – Why launch a fund and how personal brand helps
- 15:45 – Small Business and The Valley of Death
- 17:20 – Why Charlie invests in the greatest businesses on Planet Earth
- 18:10 – Charlie’s best advice for kids
- 20:25 – The “Herald Effect”
- 22:45 – Finding structural growth
- 24:40 – Is Charlie a Value Investor?
- 24:15 – The “Dark Science” of shorting
- 29:45 – How big can Charlie’s fund get?
- 31:10 – Australia for income, global for growth
- 32:25 – Tailwinds: population growth and technology, Alibaba and Tencent
- 35:30 – What would Charlie tell a younger him?
Further Reading:
- AFR Article: “Bell Potter’s Aitken Stops ‘Ringing the Bell'”
- Livewire Interview with Charlie
- Intrinsic Value
- Compound Interest video
Learn more about Charlie & AIM Funds:
