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Hedge fund manager Imran Khan bought more Hims at its most hated moment -- here's why
Description
In Hims House episode 70, Jonathan Stern sits down with hedge fund manager Imran Khan, founder and CIO of Proem Asset Management and a Hims shareholder (110,000 shares as of March 31). Khan lays out his investment framework -- long-term growth potential, execution track record -- and argues that Hims' core asset is its loyal customer base and its ability to stack new products and services on top of it, with execution as the main bear case. Drawing on his years at Snap as Chief Strategy Officer, he explains why markets overreact in both directions and why investors should follow the numbers rather than the narrative. They dig into the risks of hiring big-company executives, the limited visibility into product progress, and gross margins hitting an all-time low (which Khan sees as non-structural for Hims). The discussion widens to SpaceX's IPO, software vs semis in the AI capex cycle, Duolingo as a "learning social network," buybacks and insider buying, and the dangers of excessive leverage and round-the-clock markets.
00:00 - Sponsor: Superpower
02:07 - Conviction to double down on Hims
04:32 - How being an operator reshaped his investing
06:51 - Inside the Proem portfolio
09:38 - The bull case for Hims
14:15 - Why founder focus matters
15:45 - Execution is the whole bear case
17:45 - The LTV and CAC flywheel
21:56 - The risk of hiring big-company execs
27:03 - Is the pace of product development too slow?
29:51 - Let the numbers speak
31:10 - Gross margins heading the wrong way?
32:59 - What SpaceX's IPO does to markets
35:33 - Software versus semis in the AI cycle
38:51 - Duolingo as a learning social network
42:45 - Buybacks and why insider buys don't excite him
44:28 - Why memory names may go higher
45:23 - The value of sell-side research
48:31 - Why he loves being an investor (and spectating)
50:55 - Managing risk and avoiding leverage
52:26 - Leverage, 24/7 markets, and closing advice
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.