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Hated and Unloved Investment Strategy

Reusability

An investment approach that specifically targets assets that are widely disliked or ignored by the market, betting that negative sentiment creates undervaluation opportunities.

How It Works

When assets are hated, their prices are depressed below intrinsic value. By the time sentiment shifts positive, early contrarian investors capture the revaluation upside. Only works when you're right about fundamental value while others are wrong about sentiment.

Components

1

Identify assets with widespread negative sentiment

2

Analyze fundamentals independently of market sentiment

3

Assess whether hatred is emotional or rational

4

Take position when conviction exceeds sentiment risk

5

Hold through continued negative sentiment

6

Exit when sentiment normalizes or fundamentals deteriorate

When to Use

When you have strong conviction about an asset's fundamentals despite widespread negative sentiment. When you can stomach being wrong for extended periods. When you have patient capital and long time horizons.

When Not to Use

When negative sentiment is justified by deteriorating fundamentals. When you need liquidity or have short time horizons. When you're following the crowd into 'contrarian' positions that have become popular.

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Following 'contrarian' trades that are actually popularIgnoring legitimate reasons for negative sentimentUsing leveraged positions in hated assetsExpecting quick sentiment reversals

Example

Mohnish invested in coal when it was the most hated sector due to environmental concerns, betting that short-term demand would exceed supply despite long-term headwinds, capturing returns as the market recognized this mismatch.