
Michael Burry's success at Scion Capital can be attributed to his meticulous research and contrarian investing approach, which allowed him to identify undervalued assets before others did.
He focused on credit default swaps, which were then an obscure market, and made a fortune betting against the housing market.
Burry's investment strategy was not based on market trends, but rather on a deep understanding of the underlying fundamentals of the companies he invested in.
This approach allowed him to make bold predictions and take calculated risks, ultimately leading to significant returns for Scion Capital.
Michael Burry's Investing Philosophy
Michael Burry's investing philosophy is centered around a contrarian approach and deep value analysis. He focuses on finding undervalued assets that provide a margin of safety against potential losses.
One key element of his strategy is the emphasis on free cash flow as a measure of a company's financial health. This means he looks beyond price-earnings ratios to get a more accurate picture of a company's worth.

He also prefers investing in small and micro-cap stocks, which are often overlooked by the broader market. This is where he finds hidden gems with untapped potential.
Here are the key elements of Michael Burry's investment strategy:
- Margin of Safety
- Bottom-Up Research
- Free Cash Flow
- Small and Micro-Cap Stocks
- Special Situations
His success in predicting the 2008 financial crisis is a testament to the effectiveness of his approach. He made a fortune by betting on the collapse of mortgage-backed securities, a true black swan event.
Michael Burry's Notable Bets
Dr. Burry made a significant amount of money in 2008 due to a unique special situation investment, where he bet on the collapse of mortgage-backed securities, a true black swan event.
He focused on finding undervalued assets, coupled with downside risk protection, which ultimately led to his success in predicting the 2008 financial crisis.
Burry's investment strategy is centered around a 1-page philosophy that guided his firm, Scion Capital, which includes key tenets such as ignoring market noise and focusing on individual opportunities.
Some of his notable bets include investing in small and micro-cap stocks, which are often overlooked by the broader market, and looking for unique opportunities such as distressed assets and arbitrage opportunities.
Here are some examples of Dr. Burry's notable bets:
By focusing on these types of investments, Dr. Burry was able to achieve significant returns and establish himself as a successful investor.
Michael Burry Bets on China
Michael Burry is making a strong bet on China, committing nearly 50% of his capital to companies within the country.
He's particularly bullish on Alibaba, holding a 21.3% stake in the company with significant upside potential of over 60%.
The Chinese stock market has experienced robust growth, with the iShares MSCI China ETF gaining over 27% in the past month.
This growth has been driven by Burry's confidence in China's economic prospects, which he's backing with a substantial portion of his investments.
Michael Burry's Housing Market Short

Michael Burry's Housing Market Short was a bold bet against the prevailing market sentiment in 2008. He recognized the housing market was a bubble, driven by high-risk loans and speculative behavior.
Dr. Burry's strategy involved buying credit default swaps (CDS) on mortgage-backed securities (MBS). He convinced banks to create these instruments, which are essentially insurance policies that pay out if the underlying asset defaults.
He purchased CDS on MBS, paying premiums to the banks for this protection. This was a contrarian move, as most investors were betting on the housing market to continue growing.
The value of the MBS plummeted when the housing market crashed and defaults increased. Dr. Burry's CDS contracts paid out, and he made a substantial profit as the banks had to cover the losses from the defaults.
Dr. Burry's approach was highly complex and required a deep understanding of the underlying risks in the housing market. His ability to foresee the crisis and make a bold bet against the prevailing market sentiment was key to his success.
Michael Burry's Insights and Forecasts
Michael Burry's forecast of the 2008 mortgage crisis was eerily accurate, with his fund reaching a profitability of 489% during the crisis.
He predicted the crash of the real estate market several years before it happened, and his fund's profitability was a testament to his keen insight into market trends.
Burry's success in predicting the crisis was a result of his ability to analyze complex market data and identify potential risks and opportunities.
In 2013, Burry started a new hedge fund, Scion Asset Management, which has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 stock index, growing 300% in profitability compared to the index's 200% growth.
Burry's portfolio is relatively small, holding only 12 companies, making it easier to analyze and track his investment strategies.
He currently invests in companies such as Alphabet Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc., which have shown resilience in the face of market fluctuations.
How a Book Can Shift Your Financial Perspective
Reading a book about Michael Burry's investment strategies can be a game-changer for your financial perspective.

Michael Burry's portfolio defied market trends, and we can learn from his experiences by checking out his books.
Understanding how Burry's investments became legendary can help you rethink your own approach to finance.
His book can provide strategies to help you make more informed investment decisions.
By studying Burry's methods, you can gain a deeper understanding of the financial markets and make more informed choices.
His legendary investments were made possible by his unique perspective on the market, which you can learn about by reading his books.
How Bury Forecasted US Mortgage Crisis
How Burry Forecasted the US Mortgage Crisis
Michael Burry became famous after the mortgage crisis of 2008, having forecasted the crash of the real estate market several years before it actually happened.
He was able to foresee the crisis and make a bold bet against the prevailing market sentiment, which ultimately led to a substantial profit of 100 million USD for his fund, Scion Capital.

Burry's ability to identify the risk in the housing market was key to his success, and he recognized early on that the market was a bubble driven by high-risk loans and speculative behavior.
In 2008, Scion Capital's profitability reached 489%, but not all investors were pleased with this rate, and some claimed a withdrawal of funds.
Those who stayed with Burry, however, received a profit of 700 million USD, and he went on to start a new hedge fund, Scion Asset Management, in 2013.
The new fund is still managed by Burry and has a profitability of nearly 300%, compared to the S&P 500 stock index's growth of 200%.
Burry's portfolio is easier to analyze than Warren Buffett's, as it only holds 12 companies, making it a more manageable and focused investment strategy.
Here's a breakdown of the sectors in Burry's portfolio:
Burry's investment strategy is focused on the growth of profitability in the media entertainment sector, and he has a significant stake in Alphabet Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Michael Burry close Scion Capital?
Michael Burry closed Scion Capital due to public criticism of his investment strategy and a desire to explore new ventures. This decision was made in 2008, marking the end of his original hedge fund.
How much did Michael Burry make for Scion Capital?
Michael Burry made a personal profit of $100 million for Scion Capital. The fund's overall returns were 489.34% between 2000 and 2008.
What does Scion mean in The Big Short?
In The Big Short, Scion refers to the name of Michael Burry's fund house, not a technical indicator. It represents his investment firm, where he tracked and predicted the housing market's downturn.
Sources
- https://substack.com/home/post/p-143289728
- https://www.investing.com/analysis/michael-burry-goes-allin-on-china-whats-next-for-scion-asset-management-200652817
- https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/michael-burry-dumps-stock-portfolio-after-market-crash-warnings/
- https://www.eventdrivendaily.com/how-much-did-michael-burry-make-in-2008/
- https://www.robomarkets.com/blog/stock-market/investment-ideas-from-michael-burry/
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