Oakmark is the mutual fund family launched in 1991 by Harris Associates, the Chicago deep-value firm founded in 1976 (about $105bn AUM). Bill Nygren runs the flagship Oakmark Fund and David Herro the Oakmark International Fund, buying businesses at large discounts to intrinsic value and holding them like owners — publishing quarterly fund commentaries, market commentaries and insight articles.
This article argues that investors should focus less on 'what to buy' and more on 'why to buy,' just like athletes train their decision-making process. It suggests three habits: make decisions when you're most alert, stick to a strict rule of buying undervalued companies with good management, and regularly review your mistakes. For ordinary investors, building a solid framework matters more than chasing hot stocks.
Oakmark Research Article Explores the Importance of Investment Decision-Making Frameworks, Emphasizing That "Why to Buy" Is More Critical Than "What to Buy" The core argument is that investors should optimize their decision-making like elite athletes, leveraging elements such as Conditioning, Discip
This chapter explores investors' tendency to over-focus on "WHAT to buy" during decision-making, while neglecting the core framework of "WHY to buy." The author points out that markets swing between extreme emotions in the short term but reflect economic realities over the long term; investors chase highs due to FOMO during euphoria and panic-sell during downturns, creating a vicious cycle. A key data point: missing the 10 best trading days each year can more than halve long-term returns.
The author's central thesis is: The quality of investment decisions depends on the decision-making framework, not the specific asset. The counterintuitive insight is that elite athletes and investors do not "perform exceptionally" under pressure; rather, they avoid being "crushed" by pressure through a better framework. The author argues that investors should optimize their decision-making process—like elite athletes—through elements such as Conditioning, Discipline, and Candor, rather than chasing short-term trends.
1. Conditioning: Investors have limited energy and focus; critical decisions should be made under optimal conditions. Harris/Oakmark schedules stock selection meetings at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, avoiding fatigue-prone times (e.g., early morning or late evening) and marginal days on weekends to maximize attendance and concentration. The author suggests individual investors adjust decision-making times based on their own rhythms (monthly, quarterly, or annually) to enhance attention.
2. Discipline: Harris/Oakmark's strict investment criteria include:
3. Candor: Using devil's advocate reviews to challenge investment theses, and conducting at least one annual review to track deviations between company fundamentals and original arguments. This mechanism internalizes candor as a culture, preventing errors caused by stubbornness or changing information.