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PRESENTATION

Writing an Investment Thesis

Turn research into a concise, evidence-based case that others can evaluate.

048 MIN READ
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Write a clear investment conclusion supported by evidence, valuation and identifiable risks.

01

A thesis is an argument

A strong thesis states what you believe, why the market may not fully reflect it and what evidence could confirm or disprove the view.

02

Use a five-part structure

Keep the main argument compact enough to explain without notes.

  • Business: What does the company do well?
  • Catalyst: What may cause results or perception to change?
  • Evidence: Which facts support the view?
  • Valuation: What assumptions are reflected in the price?
  • Risk: What would make the thesis wrong?
03

Separate fact from interpretation

Label what is known, what management claims and what you infer. Credibility grows when an audience can trace each conclusion back to reliable evidence.

04

End with a decision

State the recommended action, time horizon, position size and signals you will monitor. A thesis without a decision is only a company description.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Write the 100-word thesis

  1. 01Choose a company and state your view in one sentence.
  2. 02Add two supporting facts.
  3. 03Name one catalyst and one material risk.
  4. 04Edit the complete thesis to 100 words or fewer.
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