Fithian’s global investing strategy broadens our investable universe to include the highest quality businesses in any given industry worldwide.

When we analyze industries, we look for the best performing businesses and compare market leaders on a global basis. In our experience, the best players in some industries are located outside of the United States. Further, some have no domestic equivalents. International firms with leadership positions also may benefit from family and foundation owners, whose interests are closely aligned with those of long-term investors and often result in firms with conservative financial structures and judicious executives empowered to manage for the long run.

Limiting an investable universe to domestic markets would preclude an investor from accessing many of the world’s market leaders, including Lindt (Switzerland) in chocolate, Hermès (France) and Richemont (Switzerland) in luxury goods, Fielmann (Germany) in eyewear, and Straumann (Switzerland) in dental supplies. As global investors, we have the advantage of being able to seek out the highest quality businesses, no matter their domicile.

To capture these opportunities, our investment team conducts research globally and benefits from its own diversity of composition. As the world continues to become ever more connected, we believe a global analytical framework is an essential component to successful investing.