Why Women Money Managers are Better Investors Than Men

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Women money managers think about investing differently than men and collectively their approach outperforms their male counterparts, said Meredith Jones, author of ‘Women of The Street: Why Female Money Managers Generate Higher Returns (and How You Can Too).’ Jones added that she based her conclusion on a variety of studies and supplemented that research with personal interviews of successful female fund managers. She said women tend to be less overconfident than men, so they do not hold onto losing positions as long. Furthermore, Jones said women are less active traders than men which saves on transaction fees. Finally, Jones said women also tend to be more ‘out-of-the-box thinkers’ compared to men which also enhances their relative returns.

 

Why would an investor care whether a money manager wears Louboutins or loafers? Because money–how to keep it and how to make more of it–is on everyone’s mind. And research shows it pays to invest with or like a woman. 
Study after study shows that women invest differently than men. From less overconfidence, overtrading, and testosterone to a greater tolerance for market noise and a more consistent application of investment strategy, there are a number reasons why women approach investing in a unique way. Women create both cognitive and behavioral “alpha” with their investment style which contributes over the long-run to outsized investment returns.
Women of The Street: Why Female Money Managers Generate Higher Returns (and How You Can Tool) looks at behavioral and biological investment research to explore how women think about investing, and to determine why women may have a money management edge. The book then identifies and interviews 11 top female “market wizards” in hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and other asset classes to see how women’s innate investing characteristics translate in different strategies and markets into significant profits.
The conversations provide market wisdom that can enhance your portfolio, regardless of your gender. It also provides interesting “insider information” on the financial industry. And finally, Women of The Street provides role models for the next generation of female money managers.

Review

“Market bubbles may be a male phenomenon, and if so, then investment returns could be improved if your money was managed by a woman. Meredith Jones’ wonderful – and engagingly written – book has the stories, the data, and the women managers to support this tantalizing claim.” – John Coates, former research fellow Cambridge University, and author of The Hour Between Dog and Wolf 

“Jones has made a compelling case for gender diversity within investment portfolios while conducting energetic interviews with a multitude of magnificent role models for the next generation of investors to look towards!”  –  Elizabeth M. Hewitt, Managing Director, Public Investments, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 

“Great books have the ability to disrupt our patterns of thought and challenge conventional wisdom. Women of The Street hits these marks, as Meredith Jones provides compelling evidence that it is women, not men, who are the superior investors and that we would all be wealthier and more financially secure if we learned to invest ‘like a girl.'”  – Mark W. Yusko, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Morgan Creek Capital Management, LLC 

“Meredith Jones’ extensive experience in alternative investing makes her uniquely qualified to take us on a journey into the background and thought process of 11 fascinating women portfolio managers. This book is an important guide to all aspiring investment professionals as well as investors, making the point for the importance of creating an investment portfolio that is built with diversity of thought and investment approach.” – Noreen D. Beaman, CEO of Brinker Capital, Inc. 

“Meredith Jones has given Wall Street a new compliment: ‘Invest like a girl.’ Her book shares insights and stories that illustrate the strength, talent, character and return-generating prowess of women. Institutional investors, both male and female, should take a close look and not be surprised when they find better investment outcomes.”–Jim Dunn, CEO, Verger Capital Management, LLC

Praise for Women of the Street “Warren Buffett has rightly bemoaned the lack of women in the upper echelons of business. The financial markets are no different. Meredith Jones makes a compelling case as to why the financial markets need far more cognitive and behavioral diversity in general. This book will help us get there. It is a treasure trove of insights, experiences and anecdotes from women investors who beat the market, offering valuable lessons to both women and men.” – Guy Spier, Founder of Aquamarine Fund and author of The Education of a Value Investor “Meredith Jones’ extensive experience in alternative investing makes her uniquely qualified to take us on a journey into the background and thought process of 11 fascinating women portfolio managers. This book is an important guide to all aspiring investment professionals as well as investors, making the point for the importance of creating an investment portfolio that is built with diversity of thought and investment approach.” – Noreen D. Beaman, CEO of Brinker Capital, Inc. “Market bubbles may be a male phenomenon, and if so, then investment returns could be improved if your money was managed by a woman. Meredith’s Jones’ wonderful – and engagingly written – book has the stories, the data, and the women managers to support this tantalizing claim.” – John Coates, former research fellow Cambridge University, and author of The Hour Between Dog and Wolf “While the wizards of Wall Street have exploited every conceivable way of analyzing risk and opportunity, only recently has the conversation turned to whether there is a ‘gender advantage’ in investing. In Women of The Street, Meredith Jones presents empirical evidence, as well as outstanding real life examples, of the real advantage that women have in risk assessment and portfolio management.” – Kelly Williams, President, GCM Grosvenor Public Markets Investments “Jones has made a compelling case for gender diversity within investment portfolios while conducting energetic interviews with a multitude of magnificent role models for the next generation of investors to look towards!” – Elizabeth M. Hewitt, Managing Director, Public Investments, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Great books have the ability to disrupt our patterns of thought and challenge conventional wisdom. Women of The Street hits these marks, as Meredith Jones provides compelling evidence that it is women, not men, who are the superior investors and that we would all be wealthier and more financially secure if we learned to invest ‘like a girl.'” – Mark W. Yusko, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Morgan Creek Capital Management, LLC ‘Meredith Jones has given Wall Street a new compliment: ‘Invest like a girl’. Her book shares insights and stories that illustrate the strength, talent, character and return-generating prowess of women. Institutional investors, both male and female, should take a close look and not be surprised when they find better investment outcomes.’ – Jim Dunn, CEO, Verger Capital Management, LLC “Women of The Street offers critical insights into what creates superior market performance. The fact that it happens to be a woman writing about women adds to its veracity and import. Fear of missing out should strike those who think they can skip it. It’s too well-written and researched to do so.” – Denise Shull, author of Market Mind Games “Diversification is one of the cornerstones of investing. However, we have yet to apply the concept to create diversity among those who manage money – either professionally or personally. How does gender affect investment behavior? Why aren’t there more women investors and why should there be more? Meredith Jones tackles these critical questions and more with data and a dose of humor – a winning combination. Beautifully written, this book is a must read for women and men alike.” – Suzanne Duncan, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Research State Street Corporation | Center for Applied Research “In stressed markets, when judgment matters most, women tend to be more rational and less emotional. They manage money with strong conviction, but not to the point of arrogance, admit mistakes more readily and are less compelled to follow the herd. These characteristics support Jones’ conclusion that women can invariably achieve superior performance as asset managers.” – Thomas W. Strauss, Chairman, Ramius LLC

About the Author

Meredith A. Jones is an internationally-recognized researcher, writer, speaker and expert in the alternative investment industry. Over the past 17 years, she has presented her original research and insights to industry participants around the world. She is a frequent speaker on the international conference circuit and has had her findings published in books and major media outlets, including the Economist, the New York Times, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, the Journal of Investing, and others. She began her alternative investment career at Van Hedge Fund Advisors International where she was Director of Research. She continued her research at PerTrac Financial Solutions and Barclays Capital, Inc., producing groundbreaking reports on emerging managers and diversity investing, before becoming Director of the Rothstein Kass Institute, an alternative investment think tank. As founder of MJ Alternative Investment Research, Meredith continues to provide timely research, education and actionable insights to the alternative investment community

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