WALLY WEITZ
Founded Weitz Investment Management and delivered decades of market-beating returns through disciplined value investing in Omaha.
Wally Weitz has been running his value fund from Omaha since 1983 — longer than most hedge fund managers have been alive. He sits a few miles from Warren Buffett's office and has beaten the market over multiple decades using the same basic principles: buy businesses below intrinsic value, be patient, and ignore the noise. He is proof that you do not need to be on Wall Street or use complex strategies to generate excellent long-term returns. You just need to be right and sit still.
Net Worth
$400 million
Nationality
American
Time Horizon
Long-Term
Risk Appetite
3 / 10
CAREER & BACKGROUND
Born in 1946 in Omaha, Nebraska. Studied economics at Carleton College in Minnesota.
Returned to Omaha and started his investment career. Founded Weitz Investment Management in 1983, initially managing a single value-oriented mutual fund.
Over four decades, Weitz has built the firm into a respected boutique managing approximately $5 billion across several funds. His flagship Value Fund has outperformed the S&P 500 over its full history, with particularly strong performance during market downturns when his conservative positioning protects capital.
Weitz is a classic Graham-and-Dodd value investor who has adapted the framework for modern markets. He focuses on businesses with strong free cash flow, conservative balance sheets, and management teams that allocate capital wisely.
His portfolio tends to be concentrated in 25-35 positions.
COMPANIES & ROLES
Founder and CIO of Weitz Investment Management (1983-present). Manages approximately $5 billion across multiple funds.
Based in Omaha. 40+ year career in value investing.
Known for conservative, high-conviction portfolio management.
INVESTING STYLE & PHILOSOPHY
Classic value investing with a focus on free cash flow. Weitz looks for businesses trading below his estimate of intrinsic value, with strong and growing free cash flow, and management teams that use that cash wisely.
He avoids overpaying even for great businesses.
THE PLAYBOOK
Risk Approach
Low. Weitz is one of the most conservative value investors in the industry.
He avoids leverage, holds significant cash when he cannot find bargains, and prioritizes capital preservation. His funds tend to decline less than the market in downturns.
Money Habits
Lives and works in Omaha — where he has been his entire career. Not flashy.
Known for being approachable and generous with his time. Writes thoughtful quarterly letters to shareholders.
The Omaha value investing community is small and tight-knit, and Weitz is a respected elder statesman.
BIGGEST WIN
Protecting capital during major downturns. Weitz's funds historically decline significantly less than the market during bear markets.
This downside protection, compounded over decades, has produced superior risk-adjusted returns. Avoiding large losses is as important as capturing gains.
BIGGEST MISTAKE
Being too conservative during extended bull markets. Weitz's cautious approach means he sometimes holds large cash positions when the market is expensive, which can lead to underperformance during strong rallies.
Patience is his greatest strength but occasionally costs him relative performance.
FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY
Price is what you pay, value is what you get. Weitz is a disciple of Buffett and Graham who believes that paying below intrinsic value for quality businesses provides a margin of safety that protects capital and generates superior long-term returns.
FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE
Lives in Omaha with his family. Part of the Nebraska investment community alongside Buffett.
Private about personal life. Known for mentoring younger investors.
EDUCATION
Carleton College (BA in Economics). Did not pursue an MBA.
Self-educated in investing through the works of Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, and real-world experience.
BOOKS & RESOURCES
The value investing bible
The original framework
The money-management book that Weitz recommends to everyone
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QUOTES (5)
Avoiding big losses is as important as capturing big gains. Over 40 years, the math proves this beyond any doubt.
You don't need to be on Wall Street to beat Wall Street. You just need to think independently and be patient.
I've been investing from Omaha for 40 years. A few miles from Buffett. The water here must be good for returns.
Free cash flow is the only number that matters. Everything else is accounting. Cash is truth.
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