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Trends with Benefits #48: Stock Selection and Valuation with Andrew Lane

March 16, 2021

Listen Time 27:35 MIN

 

In this episode I visit with Andrew Lane, Director of Equity Research, Index Strategies with Morningstar to discuss his experience as an equity research analyst with Morningstar, Morningstar’s Wide Moat approach to stock selection and valuation and whether valuation even matters in today’s markets.

Moat Investing

Andrew recently published a new white paper that dissects Morningstar’s flagship Wide Moat Focus Index’s 2020 performance. The paper contextualizes the 2020 results as the strategy approaches a 14-year live track record. Despite headwinds in 2020 from Morningstar’s approach to FANMAG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, Apple, and Google/Alphabet), its had a pretty compelling long-term track record.

This was a good opportunity to explore the moat investing philosophy with someone who’s not only been an equity research analyst at Morningstar, but who also led their Economic Moat Committee for a time. We discuss his background and becoming an equity research analyst, the tenets of the moat philosophy and process.

One key attribute of the moat methodology is Morningstar’s assessment of a stock’s fair value. It incorporates forward-looking estimates of a company’s worth to help judge whether or not now is the right time to allocate to it. So much of financial media is busy discussing the dynamic of growth versus value like looking in a rear-view mirror. By defining growth and value with backward looking metrics such as price-to-earnings or price-to-book, investors may be boxing themselves into a corner by having to make decisions between the two when perhaps what’s more important is simply valuation. In today’s market, does valuation even matter anymore? We chat about that too.

Trend or Fad

Listen for Andrew’s take on Zillow surfing, SPACs, eLearning, and cryptocurrency.

Follow Ed Lopez @ThatEdLopez on Twitter.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation (an affiliated broker-dealer of Van Eck Associates Corporation) may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this podcast.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Commentaries are general in nature and should not be construed as investment advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Any discussion of specific securities/financial instruments mentioned in the commentary is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy these securities. Fund holdings will vary. All indices mentioned are measures of common market sectors and performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Information on holdings, performance and indices can be found at vaneck.com.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Van Eck Associates Corporation

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation (an affiliated broker-dealer of Van Eck Associates Corporation) may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this podcast.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Commentaries are general in nature and should not be construed as investment advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Any discussion of specific securities/financial instruments mentioned in the commentary is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy these securities. Fund holdings will vary. All indices mentioned are measures of common market sectors and performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Information on holdings, performance and indices can be found at vaneck.com.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Van Eck Associates Corporation