Simon Cawkwell
Evil Knievil - Britain's Most Famous Short Seller
Simon Cawkwell
Short Selling
Key Stats
Net Worth
$50+ Million
Origin
British
Lifespan
Born 1946 (80 years old)
Biography
Simon Cawkwell, known by his trading pseudonym "Evil Knievil," is Britain's most famous short seller. He has made millions by identifying overvalued and fraudulent companies, often facing legal threats and public criticism for his bearish calls.
The Evil Knievil Persona
Cawkwell adopted the "Evil Knievil" moniker as a play on the famous stuntman's name. The persona reflects his willingness to take dangerous positions against popular stocks and face the wrath of company management.
Famous Shorts
Cawkwell has successfully shorted numerous companies that later collapsed, including Northern Rock before the 2008 crisis. His research often uncovers accounting irregularities and business model flaws.
Controversial Figure
Short sellers are often vilified, and Cawkwell has faced his share of criticism. However, he argues that short sellers perform a valuable service by identifying overvalued and fraudulent companies.
Trading Philosophy
"The market is full of overvalued rubbish. My job is to find it and profit when reality catches up."
Famous Trades
Northern Rock
Shorted Northern Rock before its collapse and subsequent nationalization during the financial crisis.
Major Profit
Significant
Legendary Quotes
"The market is full of overvalued rubbish. My job is to find it and profit when reality catches up."
"Short sellers are the market's immune system."
Recommended Reading
Evil's Good: A Worse-Selling Book
His approach to short selling