Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Investment Manager at Global Investment Management Company
Vasant, a Senior Investment Manager, thrives on the "constant challenge" of the role, requiring a nuanced understanding of both micro (a company's financials and operations) and macro (broader economic and geopolitical factors) perspectives. This involves assessing "what makes this business tick," considering operational challenges and their financial implications, and analyzing the impact of policy makers, geopolitical events, and even existential risks like the Covid-19 pandemic on investment decisions.
Financial Analysis, Macroeconomic Analysis, Business Operations, Geopolitical Analysis, Risk Assessment
Advizer Information
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Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Vasant Mehta
Senior Investment Manager
Global Investment Management Company
U.C. Berkeley
Johns Hopkins University : M.A. International Economics and European Studies
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. The constant challenge and continuous learning in the role, dealing with unpredictable situations and requiring adaptation.
2. Understanding businesses on both a micro and macro level, encompassing financial statement analysis, operational aspects, and their interplay with the broader economic and geopolitical landscape.
3. The need to consider various factors such as policy changes, geopolitical events, and existential risks (e.g., pandemics) to assess investment opportunities and their potential impact on businesses and supply chains.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role as a senior investment manager?
What I enjoy most is the constant challenge of the role. Nothing is an exact replica of what came before, so you're constantly learning and trying to make sense of the world. You approach this on two levels: micro and macro.
On the micro level, you're trying to understand what makes a specific business tick. This involves understanding its financials and how it's performing. You also need to understand the business's operations and how they interplay with the finances. A business might be doing fine today, but operational challenges down the line will impact its finances, so that cannot be ignored.
From a macro perspective, you can't ignore the wider world. When assessing a company as an investment, you must consider the broader economy and its impact on the business or sector. This includes understanding policy makers, such as central bankers or government officials.
It also means being aware of geopolitical events. A war, for instance, can significantly impact business operations and supply chains. You also need to consider existential risks.
COVID-19 is a pertinent recent example. It was scary from a public health standpoint, and from a financial or investment perspective, it was crucial to understand the implications for businesses across different fields. This wasn't just about travel and leisure, but also retail, automotive, and other areas affected by supply chain disruptions.
Ultimately, it marries the micro and macro, and trying to understand how the world works is a challenge that I really enjoy.