In this episode of A Value View, Simon Gergel, lead fund Manager at The Merchants Trust, reflects on more than 30 years of investing through changing market conditions. From the dot-com bubble and the global financial crisis to COVID-19 and today's AI-driven market rally, Simon shares how experience has shaped his approach to investing and why discipline matters more than emotion.

Discover why successful investing isn't about being contrarian for the sake of it, but about building conviction through rigorous research, maintaining perspective during periods of market volatility and staying focused on long-term value. Simon also explains how investors can avoid being swept up by market sentiment and offers a practical framework for making more rational investment decisions.

Whether you're a long-term investor, interested in UK equities, dividend investing or simply looking to better understand market psychology, this episode offers valuable insights into the mindset and discipline behind successful investing.

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In this episode of Value View, The Merchants Trust lead manager Simon Gergel explores one of investing’s toughest challenges: maintaining conviction when markets move against you. Simon explains why conviction is not blind faith, but a disciplined process of constantly testing investment ideas, questioning assumptions and separating genuine risks from market noise.

Using Tate & Lyle as a real-world example, Simon discusses how perception can differ from reality, why improving businesses can still see their share prices decline, and how long-term investors can identify opportunities when sentiment turns negative. The conversation also examines the powerful role emotions play in investing, the behavioural biases that influence decision-making, and why successful value investing often requires going against natural instincts.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or simply interested in how professionals navigate market uncertainty, this episode offers practical insights into discipline, objectivity and the importance of staying focused on fundamentals when markets become uncomfortable.

Securities mentioned are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any particular security.

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Markets are noisier, faster and more reactive than ever. But does short-term thinking create long-term opportunity?

In this episode of A Value View from The Merchant’s Trust, lead manager Simon Gergel explores how modern markets have largely shifted away from individual stock picking towards momentum, passive flows and broad market positioning.

Simon discusses how short-term behaviour, driven by hedge funds, basket trades and factor investing, can lead to sharp and sometimes ‘vicious’ price movements, with shares rising or falling regardless of their underlying long-term value.

He explains why this environment can be uncomfortable for investors, but also why it creates opportunity. As markets focus more on short-term news and sentiment, long-term value can be overlooked, opening the door for disciplined investors to identify mispriced companies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.