Investing in Convertibles – SSI Investment Management – with George Douglas, CFA

SSI started in the ’70’s as one of the original firms to offer market neutral strategies, and George has been the Chief Investment Officer of SSI for the past two decades, following stints with Credit Suisse, Drexel Burnham and managing money for Sir John Templeton.  Focusing on Convertible Securities thru long only and Convertible Arbitrage strategies, George discusses Convertibles – how they work, where they fit in a portfolio, what benefits and disadvantages they offer, etc.  With 45% of the Convertible market is in Health Care and Technology, he discusses how this is a market niche opportunity.  He provides specific examples of where Convertibles have worked well, how they performed in the credit crisis in 2008 and how they recovered, as well as market periods that are typcially not advantageous for Convertibles.  This is an excellent introduction to Convertibles by one of the leaders in the industry in this space and every investor should find it enlightening and interesting.