4 questions reported in Baillie Gifford interviews, organised by the group that asks them. Every question carries a model answer and graded feedback on your own attempt.
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Business quality, position sizing, benchmark risk and turnover discipline. 4 questions
A practical valuation check in an equity-manager analyst interview.
A portfolio has three holdings: 50% in a company trading at 10x forward earnings, 30% at 20x and 20% at 30x. Calculate the weighted-average forward P/E. Then explain why that number alone is not…
Common at benchmark-aware long-only managers assessing whether candidates understand active risk.
Define active share and tracking error. A fund has 85% active share but only 2% expected tracking error. Is that contradictory, and what would you examine before deciding whether the manager is…
You are interviewing at an active manager. This question is not rhetorical.
Most active managers underperform their benchmark after fees. Why are you pursuing a career in active management? Make the strongest case, and acknowledge the strongest counterargument.
Tests your investment philosophy. There is no formula, but there is a right structure.
What makes a business high quality? How would you assess whether a competitive advantage is durable?
Write your answer, get it graded on technical accuracy, completeness and communication, and see exactly which mechanic you missed.
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