Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 382

Video: How Chris Cuffe finds fund managers who 'swing the bat'

After 40 years inside the world of managing investments and selecting fund managers, Chris Cuffe summarises his experiences into a few quick lessons. His observations are not the traditional cliches about past performance and management styles, but what really works when selecting investments.

From the Morningstar Individual Investor Conference, 29 October 2020


The Morningstar 2020 Individual Investor Conference was held over 29 and 30 October and drew over 2,000 registrations. It offered investors the opportunity to tap into the expertise and knowledge and Australia's leading investors. 

Some of the highlight sessions include:

  • Hamish Douglass from Magellan discusses the US election, long-term trends and your portfolio
  • Gemma Dale from nabtrade on the rise of the retail investor
  • Kate Howitt from Fidelity on how she selects stocks
  • David Harrison from Charter Hall Property discusses how it's all about location, location and ... strategy.
  • Anton Tagliaferro of IML on finding long-term opportunities in the current market.

Get access to all the recordings and explore all Premium benefits (including the Sharesight portfolio service) with a free Morningstar Premium trial. No credit card required.


Chris Cuffe is Founder and Portfolio Manager of the charitable trust, Third Link Growth Fund and Chairman of Australian Philanthropic Services. He is the Co-Founder of Cuffelinks, the predecessor to Firstlinks, and sits on the boards and investment committees of many companies and family offices. The views expressed are his own.

 

  •   4 November 2020
  • 6
  •      
  •   
6 Comments
Gary M
November 04, 2020

Can we have some of the names of fund managers who don't charge a management fee but only charge a performance fee?

Matt
November 07, 2020

Solaris

Ray
November 27, 2020

Matt, fyi, the Solaris - performance fee option - fund is closed to new investors

John
November 04, 2020

Chris is the Chairman of one of these funds called EGP Capital, however, it has under performed the ASX 200 Index since it commenced in August 2017. Accordingly, the manager has not received a dollar of performance fees.

Graham Hand
November 08, 2020

Thanks, John, but from their latest report, the fund is ahead of benchmark since inception:

The fund rose by 4.6% in October 2020. The fund has gained 9.28% so far in FY2021.
The benchmark rose by 1.9% in October. The benchmark has gained 1.48% so far in FY2021.
The fund has returned 18.5% since inception (15 August 2017). The benchmark has returned 17.2% since fund inception.
The contiguous performance of both EGP funds since inception (1 April 2011) is 206%. The combined benchmarks have returned 90% since fund inception.

Caesar- Longtime investor/adviser
November 06, 2020

Gary -performance only funds management are nice in theory, but in practice they rarely survive, unless some-one else is paying their cost, which in turn leads to a vested interest/conflict/or they get fees by paying no interest on cash style products, etc.. Ask -Who is paying for the funds legal/accounting/tax/compliance/pds production & updating/investment managers & support people wages/IT systems and needs/Research fees, etc

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Video: Noel Whittaker on investing until you’re 100

My 10 biggest investment management lessons

What Warren Buffett isn’t saying speaks volumes

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Making sense of record high markets as the world catches fire

The post-World War Two economic system is unravelling, leading to huge shifts in currency, bond and commodity markets, yet stocks seem oblivious to the chaos. This looks to history as a guide for what’s next.

3 ways to fix Australia’s affordability crisis

Our cost-of-living pressures go beyond the RBA: surging house prices, excessive migration, and expanding government programs, including the NDIS, are fuelling inflation, demanding bold, structural solutions.

Is there a better way to reform the CGT discount?

The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.

How cutting the CGT discount could help rebalance housing market

A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 648 with weekend update

This is my last edition as Editor of Firstlinks. I’m moving onto a new role though the newsletter will remain in good hands until my permanent replacement is found.

  • 5 February 2026

It’s economic reality, not fear-based momentum, driving gold higher

Most commentary on gold's recent record highs focus on it being the product of fear or speculative momentum. That's ignoring the deeper structural drivers at play. 

Latest Updates

Superannuation

Super is catching up, but ageing is a triple-threat

An ageing Australia is shifting the superannuation system’s focus from accumulation to the lifecycle of retirement. While these pressures have been anticipated for decades, they are now converging at scale and driving widespread industry change.

Investment strategies

Corporate earnings show resilience against volatility but risks remain

Evidence for a strong reporting season had been piling up for months and validated an upgrade cycle already underway. However, risks remain from policy uncertainty.

Superannuation

Want your loved ones to inherit your super? You can’t afford to skip this one step

One in five Australians die before retirement and most have not set up their super properly so their loved ones can benefit from all their hard work and savings. 

SMSF strategies

Sixteen steps in a typical SMSF borrowing

Getting a mortgage is never an easy process but when an investment property is purchased in a SMSF the complexity increases significantly. Read this before taking the plunge. 

Planning

Do HNWI get better advice?

Good advisers lead to more diversification, lower turnover and less home bias. However, studies show the average adviser may not be adding much value to clients. 

Strategy

AFL Final Ten with wildcard edit 'unlevels' the field

When the new AFL season kicks off a wild-card will be added to the finals. Is this new formula fair and how does it impact the odds of winning the premiership.

Planning

Love them or hate them, it's worth understanding annuities

Investors have historically balked at exchanging a lump sum for a future steam of income. Breaking down the financial and emotional considerations of purchasing an annuity.        

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.