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

The ultimate superannuation EOFY checklist 2026

Here is a checklist of 28 important issues you should address before June 30 to ensure your SMSF or other super fund is in order and that you are making the most of the strategies available.

Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget

Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.

Australia has no death duties. Technically.

Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.

Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it

The lithium rally mirrors the early-2010s tech stock surge, with demand set to double by 2030. Supply has been slow to respond, creating a market deficit for future tech like humanoid robotics and solid-state batteries.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update

The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.

Two months into retirement

A retirement researcher's take on retirement and her focus on each of her six resource buckets to stay engaged during the transition and beyond.

Latest Updates

Are the government’s CGT changes better for young investors?

New CGT rules promise fairness, but could young investors lose out? A practical scenario reveals how changes impact deposit goals, investment choices, and long-term wealth building for the next generation.

Retirement

How to minimise tax with a will

Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.

Investment strategies

AI can’t pick winning funds, but it can help you avoid losers

Machine learning has been touted a game changer investment management. But a new study overturns claims that AI can generate positive alpha in mutual funds. Here are some practical takeaways for investors.

Investment strategies

Inflation BIG picture: Boomers got lucky, next Gen not so much

A 150-year view shows inflation's upward bias, driven by shifting monetary regimes and war stocks. This marks an end to the low-inflation boom that enriched boomers and ushers in a higher-inflation era for younger investors.

Planning

Tax deductibility of financial advice improves affordability

A shrinking adviser workforce and rising costs are squeezing access to financial advice, just as demand surges. Expanded tax deductibility offers a modest but meaningful boost to affordability.

Retirement

Retirement in reality – 3 months in

A reflection on travel mishaps, smart decision-making, time pressures and rebuilding health habits. Three months in, here's how to navigate the surprising realities of life after work.

Taxation

Calculating the business cost of Australia’s new 'productivity tax'

Amid a national productivity crisis, new economic analysis finds the tax changes in the 2026 Federal Budget create Australia’s first-ever by design 'Productivity Tax', where young people will pay the biggest price.

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.