Nov 2, 2026 · 55 min
A fund manager turns stock picking into a repeatable process
How do I build confidence picking stocks? A fund manager’s take
The episode shows how beginners can replace anxiety about individual shares with research, diversification and disciplined position sizing.
- 1Start with industry trends and future growth, then test a company through its financial statements, cash flow and balance sheet.
- 2Compare valuation with competitors, industry peers and historical levels rather than judging a stock by its share price alone.
- 3Build confidence gradually by starting small, diversifying, accepting mistakes and selling when the investment case or portfolio balance changes.
Don't miss
Victoria uses Eli Lilly to show why a premium valuation can make sense when growth is stronger, while still arguing for gradual buying and diversification.
The brief
Jessica revisits her Eli Lilly investment and the uncertainty that followed: owning a share felt easier than knowing what she owned or when to act.
Victoria Harris, a former portfolio manager and co-founder of The Curve, argues that confidence comes from a repeatable process rather than a single bold prediction.
Her checklist moves from industry trends and growth to revenue, earnings, cash flow, balance-sheet strength, valuation and management quality.
Eli Lilly becomes the practical test: a high P/E ratio may be justified by stronger growth, but investors should compare peers and build positions gradually.
The closing lesson is deliberately modest: diversify, start small, study one issue at a time and rebalance when a position grows too large.
Books & mentions
The Curve
A natural next stop for Victoria’s accessible explanations of investing and wealth building.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.