Interview: Raghav Kapoor, Co-founder & CEO of Smartkarma
A discussion about Raghav's background, investment philosophy, Philippine equities, Digiplus, the Indonesian Rupiah, Cardig Aero Services, To Lam, Chinese & Indian stocks and his favorite book.
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Today, I have the great pleasure of talking to Raghav (“Raj”) Kapoor, CEO and co-founder of Smartkarma, an investment intelligence platform based in Singapore.
In the interview, he discusses:
His background and what he focuses on today
Why he founded Smartkarma, how he uses it daily
Their recent acquisition of commodities data and insights platform Helixtap, and why he’s bullish on rubber
What he’s learnt from spending decades investing in Asian equities
Why he became constructive on Philippine equities in 2023
Why he’s cautious about the Indonesian Rupiah and who might benefit
For more information on Smartkarma, just click the link below:
All views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Smartkarma. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. In addition, Smartkarma standard disclaimers apply.
Appendix. Raghav’s 15-point investment criteria:
Stick to proven growth — Smartkarma’s 3/5/10-year track records and smart scores are key
Invest in quality market leaders, not bargains
Choose businesses with strong alignment with shareholders — look for a history of growing dividends
Focus on solid unit economics — ROIC is more telling than ROE
Steer clear of low-margin businesses
Avoid companies with heavy debt
Stay away from businesses with regulatory risks
Be early, stay independent — even if it feels lonely
Be a big fish in a small pond — play where you have an edge
Build strong management relationships — they help you weather tough times and build conviction
Don’t hold positions smaller than 3%
Don’t chase trends
Focus on areas of change — markets often overlook them
Stick to simple investment ideas
Prioritize growing portfolio dividends — ignore short-term market fluctuations if dividends are rising organically
