The Memo by Howard Marks

Oaktree Capital Management

On October 12, 1990, Oaktree Co-Chairman Howard Marks published his first memo to clients. In the decades since, he has periodically released memos reflecting his viewpoint on the investment landscape, as well as more general business insights. On this podcast we'll hear the latest memos by Howard, released in tandem with or shortly after their publication.

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77 episodes
Updated April 9

Episodes77

Newest first

Jul 2, 2024 · 39 min
The Insight: Conversations - Oaktree Conference 2024 Edition
In a special edition of The Insight: Conversations, you’ll hear excerpts from multiple sessions held during Oaktree’s recent biannual client conference. Oaktree co-chairman Howard Marks does a deep dive into his sea change thesis, members of Oaktree’s Global Credit team examine the most significant trends impacting the high yield bond and leveraged loan markets, and Oaktree’s Opportunistic Credit team explores key themes reshaping today’s restructuring environment.
Jun 18, 2024 · 41 min
Bonus Episode: Howard Marks on “In Good Company”
Oaktree Co-Chairman Howard Marks (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardmarksbook/) joined the In Good Company podcast with Nicolai Tangen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolai-tangen/). They discussed Howard's investment philosophy, risk management, and how to determine the quality of a decision.
May 8, 2024 · 16 min
The Impact of Debt
In his latest memo, Howard Marks examines the relationship between leverage and survivability, taking inspiration from a recent Collaborative Fund post by Morgan Housel. Howard explains why determining the appropriate amount of leverage should be about optimization, not maximization. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/the-impact-of-debt).
May 6, 2024 · 31 min
The Insight: Conversations – Volatility Ahead? Featuring Howard Marks, Armen Panossian, and David Rosenberg
Where are we in the market cycle? Why is it healthy to be uncertain? And what does it mean to actually “be opportunistic”? In the latest episode of The Insight: Conversations, Howard Marks (Co-Chairman), Armen Panossian (Co-CEO), and David Rosenberg (Head of Liquid Performing Credit) discuss these and other topics from the recently published Performing Credit Quarterly 1Q2024: Unusually Uncertain.
Apr 17, 2024 · 12 min
The Indispensability of Risk
In his latest memo, Howard Marks considers what chess can teach investors about the paradox of risk-taking. Drawing on insights from a recent Wall Street Journal article (https://www.wsj.com/sports/chess-teaches-the-power-of-sacrifice-221db7b7) by chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley, Howard explains why not taking enough risk may be one of the riskiest strategies of all. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/the-indispensability-of-risk).
Mar 21, 2024 · 47 min
The Archive: You Bet!
In his 2020 memo You Bet!, Howard Marks explained what it means to “think in bets,” as he discussed the many parallels between investing and games of chance. Now you can listen to You Bet!, the first release from The Memo by Howard Marks: The Archive. We’ve received many requests for an audio library of the memos that Howard Marks has published over the last 34 years, so we’re going to begin building this archive by releasing audio versions of some of Howard’s most popular memos. To hear more about Howard’s thoughts on this memo, listen to his conversation with former professional poker player and best-selling author Annie Duke, whose 2018 book Thinking in Bets was the inspiration for the memo. This special episode (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/insight-podcast/market-commentary/the-insight-conversations-special-episode-with-annie-duke-and-howard-marks) of the The Insight: Conversations with Howard and Annie was released in December 2023.
Feb 8, 2024 · 36 min
Behind the Memo: Easy Money with Howard Marks and Edward Chancellor
In this special episode of Behind the Memo, Howard Marks is joined by journalist and financial historian Edward Chancellor to discuss ideas from Howard’s recent memo, Easy Money, which was inspired by Edward’s book, The Price of Time: The Real Story of Interest. They explore the history of interest rates, the profound impact they’ve had on financial markets, and the potential dangers of keeping them too low. You can listen to "Easy Money" in the prior episode in this feed.
Jan 9, 2024 · 56 min
Easy Money
In his latest memo, Howard Marks considers what financial history can teach us about periods of easy money, the impact they have on investor behavior, and what happens when they end. He analyzes macroeconomic trends using insights from Edward Chancellor’s latest book The Price of Time: The Real Story of Interest to argue that we’re unlikely to soon see the return of the permissive investment climate that prevailed in recent decades. The memo is read by LJ Ganser. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/easy-money).
Jan 4, 2024 · 35 min
The Insight: Conversations – Walking into the Unknown with Howard Marks, David Rosenberg, and Aman Kumar
What is a “normal” investment environment? What might a recession in 2024 mean for liquid credit? What’s happening in life sciences lending today? Find out by listening to the latest episode of The Insight: Conversations with Howard Marks (Co-Chairman), David Rosenberg (Co-Portfolio Manager, Global Credit), and Aman Kumar (Co-Portfolio Manager, Life Sciences Lending). They discuss topics from the December edition of The Roundup: Top Takeaways from Oaktree’s Quarterly Letters and consider what investors should focus on as we enter 2024 – and what remains unknowable.
Dec 6, 2023 · 51 min
The Insight: Conversations – Special Episode with Annie Duke and Howard Marks
Special guest Annie Duke (former professional poker player, best-selling author) joins Howard Marks to discuss ideas from her book Thinking in Bets and Howard’s memo You Bet! They explore luck, decision quality, uncertainty, and more in this special episode of The Insight: Conversations.
Nov 2, 2023 · 31 min
The Insight: Conversations – Full Return World with Howard Marks and Armen Panossian
Howard Marks (Co-Chairman) and Armen Panossian (Head of Performing Credit) discuss topics related to Howard’s latest memo, Further Thoughts on Sea Change, and Oaktree’s recently published Performing Credit Quarterly 3Q2023 in this crossover episode of The Insight: Conversations and Behind the Memo. They consider the implications of the potential sea change reshaping the investment environment, the tail risks building in today’s markets, and what it means to be in a full return world.
Oct 11, 2023 · 33 min
Further Thoughts on "Sea Change"
In his latest memo, Howard Marks provides a follow-up to Sea Change (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/sea-change), his thought-provoking memo published in December 2022. He argues that the trends he highlighted in the original memo collectively represent a sweeping alteration of the investment environment that calls for significant capital reallocation. Further Thoughts on Sea Change was originally sent exclusively to Oaktree clients on May 30, 2023. All market data cited in this memo is as of May 30, 2023. The memo is read by LJ Ganser. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/docs/default-source/memos/further-thoughts-on-sea-change3dda4540-569f-4415-9a5b-004fbabf06d4.pdf?sfvrsn=c3cc5166_3).
Oct 5, 2023 · 29 min
The Insight: Conversations – Credit Picker’s Market with Wayne Dahl, Robert O’Leary, and Mark Jacobs
How have credit investors been successfully navigating the volatile interest rate environment? Which sectors currently look attractive to opportunistic credit investors? What are some of the major misconceptions about today’s commercial real estate market? In this episode of The Insight: Conversations, Wayne Dahl (Assistant Portfolio Manager, Global Credit), Robert O’Leary (Portfolio Manager, Global Opportunities), and Mark Jacobs (Co-Portfolio Manager, Real Estate Income) discuss topics from the September edition of The Roundup: Top Takeaways from Oaktree’s Quarterly Letters (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/insight-commentary/market-commentary/the-roundup-top-takeaways-from-oaktrees-quarterly-letters-september-2023-edition) and explain what it means to be in a credit picker’s market.
Sep 20, 2023 · 30 min
Behind the Memo: Fewer Losers, or More Winners?
In the latest episode of Behind the Memo, Howard discusses his recent memo: Fewer Losers, or More Winners? He details the inspiration for the memo and explains why investors – like tennis players – need to consider their skill level, aspirations, and risk tolerance when asking themselves a fundamental question: Should I go for more winners, or try to avoid the losers? You can listen to Fewer Losers, or More Winners? in the prior episode or read it here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/fewer-losers-or-more-winners).
Sep 12, 2023 · 35 min
Fewer Losers, or More Winners?
In his latest memo, Howard Marks discusses the essential choice in both investing and sports: should you go for more winners or try to eliminate losers? That is, should you emphasize aggressiveness or defensiveness? This is a key decision that every investor has to make thoughtfully, and the answer can be different for each person. The memo is read by LJ Ganser. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/fewer-losers-or-more-winners).
Sep 8, 2023 · 42 min
The Insight: Conversations – European Credit at a Turning Point
Learn about the current state of European credit and the dramatic changes seen over the last year in this thought-provoking discussion with Armen Panossian (Head of Performing Credit), Madelaine Jones (Portfolio Manager, European Senior Loans and European High Yield Bonds), and Nael Khatoun (Head of European Private Debt). They consider the challenges created by the end of the easy money era, risks posed by geopolitics and artificial intelligence, and the quality advantage that exists in European markets.
Aug 8, 2023 · 34 min
The Insight: Conversations – Fighting the Fed with Armen Panossian, Danielle Poli, and Megan Messina
Armen Panossian (Head of Performing Credit), Danielle Poli (Assistant Portfolio Manager, Global Credit), and Megan Messina (Head of CLO Capital Markets) discuss topics from the 2Q2023 Performing Credit Quarterly. They consider the current tug-of war between fiscal and monetary policy, opportunities in credit, and what many investors are getting wrong about today’s CLO market.
Jul 10, 2023 · 49 min
Taking The Temperature
In his latest memo, Howard Marks discusses five market calls he’s made during his career. He argues that investors seeking to take the temperature of the market should focus on understanding prevailing market psychology and the nature of cycles. Just as importantly, they should learn to control their own emotions and have the humility to know when not to make a call. The memo is read by LJ Ganser. You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/docs/default-source/memos/taking-the-temperature.pdf?sfvrsn=93bb5366_6).
Jun 27, 2023 · 33 min
The Insight: Conversations – This Time Might Be Different with Howard Marks and David Rosenberg
David Rosenberg, co-portfolio manager of Oaktree’s U.S. and Global High Yield strategies, and Howard Marks discuss topics from the June 2023 edition of The Roundup. They consider the evolution of the high yield bond market, investor optimism and why this time might actually be different in financial markets.
May 25, 2023 · 35 min
The Insight: Conversations – Cutting Through the Economic Noise with Wayne Dahl
Oaktree Investment Risk Officer Wayne Dahl explains why economic statistics can tell conflicting stories and what this means for credit investors trying to make sense of today’s noisy data.

The Memo by Howard Marks

The Insight: Conversations - Oaktree Conference 2024 Edition

Bonus Episode: Howard Marks on “In Good Company”

The Impact of Debt

The Insight: Conversations – Volatility Ahead? Featuring Howard Marks, Armen Panossian, and David Rosenberg

The Indispensability of Risk

The Archive: You Bet!

Behind the Memo: Easy Money with Howard Marks and Edward Chancellor

Easy Money

The Insight: Conversations – Walking into the Unknown with Howard Marks, David Rosenberg, and Aman Kumar

The Insight: Conversations – Special Episode with Annie Duke and Howard Marks

The Insight: Conversations – Full Return World with Howard Marks and Armen Panossian

Further Thoughts on "Sea Change"

The Insight: Conversations – Credit Picker’s Market with Wayne Dahl, Robert O’Leary, and Mark Jacobs

Behind the Memo: Fewer Losers, or More Winners?

Fewer Losers, or More Winners?

The Insight: Conversations – European Credit at a Turning Point

The Insight: Conversations – Fighting the Fed with Armen Panossian, Danielle Poli, and Megan Messina

Taking The Temperature

The Insight: Conversations – This Time Might Be Different with Howard Marks and David Rosenberg

The Insight: Conversations – Cutting Through the Economic Noise with Wayne Dahl