Watsa's contrarian mindset was put to the test during the 2008 financial crisis. While many Oman Phone Number investors were panicking and selling off their investments, Watsa saw an opportunity. He recognized that the crisis had created attractive buying opportunities in the market, and he took advantage of this by investing heavily in beaten-down stocks.
This contrarian approach paid off handsomely for Watsa, as he was able to generate significant returns for his investors during a time when the market was in turmoil. This success further solidified Watsa's reputation as a savvy investor who could thrive in challenging market conditions.
In addition to his contrarian mindset, Watsa also credited his success to his focus on risk management. He believed in preserving capital and protecting against downside risk, rather than chasing high returns at any cost. Watsa's conservative approach to investing helped him weather market downturns and emerge stronger on the other side.
One of the key moments in Watsa's career came when he founded his own investment firm, Fairfax Financial Holdings, in 1985. Under Watsa's leadership, Fairfax grew into a global financial powerhouse with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. The success of Fairfax further solidified Watsa's reputation as a successful investor and helped him attract top talent to his firm.