Terence Smith, the founder, and CEO of Fundsmith has been called "the English Warren Buffett" for his style in growth investing which involves buying shares from established companies. He is an author and he wrote the book „Investing for Growth: How to make money by only buying the best companies in the world – An anthology of investment writing“. He also wrote some columns for the Financial Times.
Terry Smith’s investment portfolio emphasizes high-quality, durable businesses across sectors, with a concentrated focus on growth, brand strength, and long-term compounding potential. The following top stocks are core holdings reflected in his approach to value-and-growth investing within global markets:
1. Stryker Corp. — A leading medical technology and devices investment, valued for durable demand drivers, innovative products, and resilient cash-flow characteristics suited to a long-horizon stocks portfolio.
2. Waters Corp. — An investment in specialized analytical instruments used in biopharma, food, and industrial testing, reflecting Smith’s preference for businesses with strong niches, recurring service revenues, and evidence of sustained market share.
3. Marriott International, Inc. (Ordinary Shares, Class A) — A consumer-facing hospitality investment supported by asset-light management, global brand positioning, and operating leverage, aligned with Smith’s focus on scalable business models.
4. Microsoft Corporation — A technology investment anchored by recurring enterprise software, cloud infrastructure strength, and a wide ecosystem, matching Smith’s market approach of backing businesses with strong competitive moats and long-term demand.
5. Visa Inc. (Ordinary Shares, Class A) — A payments network investment benefiting from global transaction growth, network effects, and pricing power, consistent with a portfolio strategy targeting durable compounding in cash-generative stocks.
Overall, Smith’s investor mindset favors durable moats, long runway opportunities, and disciplined selection of stocks positioned to compound value over time.
Explore the top 5 dividend-yielding stocks in Terry Smith's Fundsmith portfolio for August 2026, featuring resilient, high-quality companies like Clorox (CLX).
Explore the 5 largest holdings in Terry Smith’s Fundsmith portfolio as of July 2026, including Marriott International (MAR) and other high-quality stocks.
Terry Smith grew up in East London and attended Stratford Grammar School. He later attended University College Cardiff.
After working for Barclays Bank from 1973 to 1984, Smith obtained an MBA from Henley Management College in 1979. He later worked as a research analyst at W Greenwell & Co, before joining Barclays de Zoete Wedd. In 1990, he was appointed Head of UK Company Research at UBS Phillips & Drew, a position he held until 1992.