Julian Robertson Quotes

Powerful Julian Robertson for Daily Growth

About Julian Robertson

Julian Robertston (1935 - present), an influential financier and philanthropist, is renowned for his significant contributions to finance, particularly in the field of hedge funds. Born on September 14, 1935, in Covington, Kentucky, Robertson began his professional career as a broker on the New York Stock Exchange before founding Tiger Management LLC in 1980. Robertson's entrepreneurial journey was shaped by his experiences at the University of Virginia and Columbia Business School, where he studied economics. However, it was his time working under legendary investor, Jesse Livermore, that laid the foundation for his unique investment strategies. Tiger Management quickly gained recognition as a top-performing hedge fund, managing billions of dollars in assets and influencing global financial markets. Robertson's investment philosophy, known as "Absolute Return" investing, emphasizes long-term capital appreciation and risk management. Throughout his career, Robertson has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and healthcare. He established the Robertson Scholars Program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, providing full scholarships to exceptional students. Robertson's life and work have left an indelible mark on finance and philanthropy. His quote, "The only thing that is permanent is change," encapsulates his adaptive approach to investing and life. As a trailblazer in the hedge fund industry and a generous philanthropist, Julian Robertson continues to inspire and shape the financial world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Don't watch the tape, watch the close."

The quote by Julian Robertson, "Don't watch the tape, watch the close," emphasizes the importance of focusing on the closing price of a security rather than following its intraday fluctuations. In other words, he suggests traders should pay attention to the market's final decision at the end of trading hours instead of being influenced by short-term price movements or news events during the day. This perspective highlights the significance of understanding the overall trend and sentiment in the market at closing, which can provide a better foundation for making informed investment decisions.


"You've got to dance with the one that brung you."

The quote "You've got to dance with the one that brung you," by Julian Robertson, suggests a loyalty or appreciation for the sources of one's success. It implies that when faced with choices or opportunities, it is important to remember where you came from and not to forget those who helped you reach your current position. In essence, stay loyal to your roots and continue to associate with the people and resources that contributed to your success in the past.


"In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable."

This quote by Julian Robertson suggests that in the realm of investing, comfort zones are often not conducive to profitability. It implies that taking calculated risks, venturing outside of one's comfort zone, and making bold moves can lead to financial gains. Comfortable investments, such as low-risk assets or familiar strategies, might provide stability but may not yield significant returns. To be profitable in investing, it is necessary to embrace risk, learn from mistakes, and constantly seek new opportunities that might seem uncomfortable initially but could potentially bring greater rewards.


"The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy and the time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell."

This quote suggests that investing wisely requires a counter-intuitive approach. When market sentiment is overwhelmingly negative (maximum pessimism), it's often a good opportunity to buy, as prices may be undervalued. Conversely, when optimism is at its peak and everyone is bullish (maximum optimism), it might be a smart move to sell, as prices may be overvalued and subject to correction. The idea is to capitalize on market irrationality by buying low and selling high.


"I can't predict the future, but I know a good story when I hear one."

This quote by Julian Robertson suggests that although he cannot foresee the future, he is adept at recognizing a compelling narrative or opportunity when presented with one. In other words, his ability to make informed decisions stems from his discernment of strong, promising stories or situations rather than predicting specific outcomes.


Hedge funds are other hedge funds' toughest competition. And there are just more of them, and it's tougher and tougher all along.

- Julian Robertson

Competition, More, Other, Funds

It's definitely much harder to run a hedge fund today than it used to be, in my opinion. That's because there are more hedge funds to compete with.

- Julian Robertson

More, Compete, In My Opinion, Funds

I think, definitely, this country needs a lower corporate tax rate and tax reform so that we can get our profits that we've made overseas back into the country without heavy penalties. And if that happens, I think that would be very good for the market and all of that.

- Julian Robertson

Country, I Think, Very, Tax Rate

I think the cruise industry has come of age. And older people my age are attracted to the cruise ship industry. And they are booming right now, and all over the world they are booming. And I think they're for the golden oldies, and there are more and more of them around.

- Julian Robertson

Ship, Industry, I Think, Older People

I think I'm going to refrain from criticizing Apple too much. I mean, that's been a pretty great company.

- Julian Robertson

Think, Pretty, Been, Refrain

I've got less respect for our politicians, for instance, who are not worried or apparently don't even consider the fact that Apple and a lot of the other good technology companies are going to create an automatic car. Think of the jobs that's going to cause to be gone.

- Julian Robertson

Fact, Other, Instance, Technology Companies

The man I respect the most in the business - and he's in the hedge fund business - is probably Stan Druckenmiller. He's just so smart and so good and so up on everything. I think he's fantastic investor.

- Julian Robertson

Business, Think, I Think, Stan

I'm not sure whether Jeff Bezos is the greatest thing in the world coming along or if he may be the emperor with no clothes.

- Julian Robertson

May, Sure, Jeff, Emperor

In baseball, you can hit 40 home runs on a single-A-league team and never get paid a thing. But in a hedge fund, you get paid on your batting average. So you go to the worst league you can find, where there's the least competition.

- Julian Robertson

Average, Batting, Least, Runs

I came to the conclusion that it was unlikely that a man as really awful as I think that Steve Jobs was could possibly create a great company for the long term. I just don't believe bad guys do well in the long run.

- Julian Robertson

Bad, I Think, Awful, Possibly

I suppose if I were younger, I would be investing in Africa.

- Julian Robertson

Africa, Younger, Would, Investing

Anybody that doesn't like Netflix, that's like saying you hate Santa Claus.

- Julian Robertson

Hate, Like, Anybody, Santa Claus

I have always regrets about selling anything of Reed Hastings because he's really a good manager and a great capitalist.

- Julian Robertson

Manager, Always, Capitalist, Good Manager

I think social media is very long-lasting. I just don't know the particular thing with Twitter.

- Julian Robertson

Think, Very, Long-Lasting, Social Media

Accounting was the course that helped me more than anything.

- Julian Robertson

Me, More, Than, Accounting

Digital Globe is, I think, a really great company. And it's had its virtual monopoly in the area where it is.

- Julian Robertson

Think, Digital, Area, Monopoly

We had a field day before anyone knew anything about shorting. It was almost a license to steal. Nowadays, it's a license to get hosed.

- Julian Robertson

Before, Steal, Almost, License

I know Eric Schmidt, and he has different political views from mine. But I think he's a terrific guy.

- Julian Robertson

Think, I Think, Mine, Views

I don't see any particular sweet spot. But I do see sweet stocks that I really love and like and think are going to do well. And one is a company that probably makes that beautiful toenail polish you've got on. A company called Ulta. And it has just beautiful beauty salons all over the country.

- Julian Robertson

Love, Beauty, Country, Stocks

I don't tweet. I don't know how to tweet.

- Julian Robertson

Know, How, Tweet

My message is get into what you love and really want to do and can do. And there are these tests you can take for that. All the colleges have them.

- Julian Robertson

Love, Want, Colleges, Tests

When I got out of the Navy... all those hotshots, the guys that were really smart and attractive and all that, guess where they were going? They were going into advertising. That was the hot thing then.

- Julian Robertson

Navy, Attractive, Going, Advertising

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