As we gear up to welcome our Academy summer interns across the globe, we reached out to our Point72 Academy and Investment Professional Development (IPD) teams for book recommendations. Their selections range from investing classics to thought-provoking reads that might challenge conventional thinking about markets and human behavior.
Whether you’re joining us this summer or just looking for your next great read, we hope you find something here that sparks your curiosity.
Jaimi Goodfriend, Head of IPD, Point72 Academy Director: You’ll find well-worn copies on many Point72 bookshelves of Expectations Investing – and for good reason. It provides an essential framework for valuing stocks based on the expectations embedded in their current market prices. It’s always among my first recommendations for those interested in the hedge fund industry. I recently found myself re-recommending Culture Code, which explores the elements that contribute to the success of high-performing groups.
Jean Horenstein, IPD Operating Officer: The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe offers something far more valuable than tips for winning arguments – it teaches you to recognize your own biases and faulty reasoning patterns. It’s transformed how I process information in our increasingly complex world. I’m also enjoying The Three Body Problem. It illustrates the challenges of prediction when dealing with multiple variables – a concept that resonates deeply in our investment work.
Joey Licht, Research Analyst: Chip War tells the story of how semiconductors went from obscure components to the backbone of modern technology. It’s a quick read that perfectly blends the narratives of industry pioneers with tech deep dives and relevant geopolitical insights, making complex technical concepts accessible.
Sonia Yu, Head of IPD and Point72 LaunchPoint APAC: Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams transformed my perspective on rest. The book clearly articulates, with science-based research, how neglecting sleep impacts health and productivity. It also provides practical tips on improving sleep quality through simple measures like optimizing your sleep environment and maintaining proper sleep hygiene. It’s an easy read for anyone interested in investing in their long-term performance and well-being.
Brenda Pai, Analyst Coach: Thinking, Fast & Slow is an essential read for any investor, illuminating how our minds operate in two systems – one quick and intuitive, the other slow and analytical. Understanding these cognitive processes helps identify our own biases and improves decision-making, which is invaluable in an industry where objectivity is critical.
David Briggs, Analyst Coach: Superforecasting: The Art of Science and Prediction reveals how ordinary people can make extraordinarily accurate predictions by avoiding cognitive traps and using structured approaches to probability. The lessons about measuring forecasting accuracy, updating beliefs with new information, and avoiding overconfidence are directly applicable to investment decision-making. I consider it an essential read for developing a disciplined analytical mindset.