Dear Influidencers,
I’d like to start this newsletter by wishing you a happy new year! May this one be filled with success, whatever it means to you.
I am excited to share with you deep research on great managers and companies this year.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on a whirlwind journey through Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Bordeaux, gathering stories, observations, and ideas. Here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been up to:
In Shanghai, I had the privilege of interviewing Xin Wu, founder and CEO of Banyan Partners. His flagship fund, Banyan China Select, has delivered +8% annualized alpha over 10 years. During our conversation, we explored Xin’s disciplined approach to value investing, his innovative use of data to combat biases, and how his global perspective shapes his firm. The full analysis—a 25-page deep dive into Banyan Partners’ strategy, team, and performance—is available here.
You can also find my postcard from Shanghai, where I delve into observations from the ground and insights gathered through conversations with locals and business professionals. Topics include the shift in consumer habits, such as the dominance of streetwear and changing attitudes toward luxury; the evolving coffee culture with chains like K Coffee; and the reason why stock picking is crucial in this kind of environment. I also touch on broader themes like the efficiency of China's super app ecosystem, the competitive drive of its people, and the nuanced challenges for Western businesses operating in this unique and rapidly changing environment.
In Seoul, I reflected on the city’s understated beauty, its thriving beauty industry, and the resilience of its people. My Postcard from Seoul discusses the muted yet captivating architecture, Korea's thriving beauty industry with its innovative business models, and the undercurrent of resilience and ambition that defines its people. I also explore observations from local conversations about democracy, innovation in finance (like tokenized beef), and the quirks of Korea’s stock market, offering a glimpse into a city that quietly captivates while constantly evolving. While there, I also met one of Korea’s top activists—an interview and fund analysis will follow soon.
Several past reports are available on the platform, including:
A Chinese Quant Funds Panel I attended in November in Hong Kong,
A deep dive and mind map of hospital chains’ business model and the key to more profitability and better care
Reports on Mader Group: a discussion with Paul Hegarty, CFO, ground observations from the Perth Maintenance Center, a deep dive on Mader
In the coming weeks, I’ll be traveling to Paris, Switzerland, Türkiye, Brussels, and Greece, with potential additional stops along the way. Each destination is carefully chosen for its investment opportunities. In Switzerland and Brussels, I’ll attend key conferences; in Türkiye, I’ll explore undervalued stock opportunities; and in Greece, I’ll dive into scuttlebutt research on the ocean shipping industry.
Further reports will follow, featuring unique fund managers, niche luxury companies, and on-the-ground observations from these locations.
Feel free to reach out if you’d like a sample of my work, personalized research, or scuttlebutt insights.
And if you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, don’t hesitate to share it!
Yours faithfully,
Marie
Influidence | Email: marie.boye@influidence.com | Website: https://www.influidence.com. This report is intended for the exclusive use of Influidence’s clients. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.© 2024 Influidence. All rights reserved. Report Date: February 2025
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