Howard Punch

Howard Punch is the Chief Investment Officer and Chairman of Punch & Associates Investment Management, Inc., based in Minneapolis, MN. He is responsible for directing all research and investment initiatives at the firm, serving as both head of the Investment Committee and a key driver of the firm's investment philosophy and risk management practices. Under his leadership, Punch & Associates manages over $2 billion in assets for institutional and private clients, focusing on research-driven, value-oriented investment strategies.

Howard has a particular expertise in researching and investing in public equities, with a distinct focus on micro-cap and small-cap stocks, as well as market anomalies and inefficiencies. He is recognized for his disciplined, risk-averse approach to portfolio management and is deeply involved in developing the firm's unique perspective in areas such as behavioral finance and active stock selection.

Prior to founding Punch & Associates in 2002, Howard spent nearly two decades at Merrill Lynch & Co. in both New York and Minneapolis, accumulating extensive experience in equity research and portfolio construction. He holds a degree in Economics, magna cum laude, from Carleton College. Howard is noted for his rigor in investment analysis, his commitment to client relationships, and his contributions to advancing active, research-driven investing in micro-cap and small-cap equities.