Contrarian Investors
Based in Denver, CO
Contrarian Investors is an opportunistic commodities focused asset manager founded by Randon Samelson and currently headed by his son, Lincoln Samelson.
Contrarian sources its alpha from its long-term time horizon, ability to withstand volatility, and diligent risk-management, armed with decades of experience witnessing how “a market can remain irrational longer than you can stay solvent.”
Contrarian’s philosophy and performance is antithetical and uniquely non-correlated to nearly every approach used in the industry today. We are only looking for long-term co-investors who understand our approach and understand that volatility and risk are not equivalent.
Our Edge
We believe that our edge exists in our commitment to make infrequent concentrated commitments with a long holding period.
We believe that there is wisdom in infrequent, deliberate, well-planned decisions. Warren Buffett wittily suggests that young investors try to limit their investing career to 20 decisions for an entire lifetime. Buffet gives the example of a baseball batter patiently waiting as pitches sail by. We do our best to wait for the the perfect pitch before trying to hit a home run.
We are willing to concentrate our investment positions. At some point, we believe that diversifying away from a superior investment idea can be distracting and compromise total returns. Warren Buffett clarifies this philosophy by saying that, "with each of your investment decisions, you should have the courage and conviction to place 10% of your total net worth."
We favor long holding periods. Think ten years - not ten days. Long holding periods typically provide tax and transaction efficiency as well as create benefits from compounding interest.
Lincoln Samelson
Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Samelson oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and is in charge of trading activities. Under the tutelage of his father Randon Samelson, Lincoln has more than fourteen years of continuous commodity trading and value investing experience as well as management responsibilities within the Contrarian Holdings family office.
Lincoln received his Computer Science degree from University of Colorado School of Engineering. His engineering and computer science background when combined with his father's extensive experience has been fundamental to the early success of Contrarian Investors.
Lincoln received his pilot's license at the age of 16. His philanthropic experience includes flying supplies to remote Eskimo villages in Alaska and helping clean up the ninth ward in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Our Executives
Lincoln Samelson
Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Samelson oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and is in charge of trading activities. Under the tutelage of his father Randon Samelson, Lincoln has more than fourteen years of continuous commodity trading and value investing experience as well as management responsibilities within the Contrarian Holdings family office.
Lincoln received his Computer Science degree from University of Colorado School of Engineering. His engineering and computer science background when combined with his father's extensive experience has been fundamental to the early success of Contrarian Investors.
Lincoln received his pilot's license at the age of 16. His philanthropic experience includes flying supplies to remote Eskimo villages in Alaska and helping clean up the ninth ward in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Lincoln is Series 3 licensed.
We pursue opportunity largely off the beaten path, sifting through the debris of financial wreckage, out-of-favor securities and asset classes in which there is limited competition...
Seth Klarman