One of the biggest mistakes an investor can make is to imagine that the market will perform the same way year after year. Last year’s winners are often this year’s losers. I warned investors against this mistake in July 1992, writing: How many investors—not you I hope—buy mutual funds keyed to recent performance ratings? These […]
Investing
The 5 Rules of the Financial Armadillo
In the heart of a bull market in March 1997, I was urging investors to ignore the “TV media financial gibberish, most of which is sensationalized to keep you twitching to the max.” I wanted to show readers how to insulate themselves from a bear market. To do so, I gave them my Financial Armadillo […]
You’re in Charge: Act—Don’t React
Thirty years ago this month, I was working hard to explain to investors like you the simple power of having a plan. An investment plan is the reliable engine that keeps your investment train on its track. I told readers they shouldn’t make investments without consulting their plan, writing: Am I clear on this? Sit […]
Here’s How to Build Yourself a Barricade Against Volatility
Back in October of 2006, as the crest of the Housing Bubble was forming, I remained doggedly attached to my principled investment strategy of diversification and compound interest. That month I encouraged readers to build a “volatility barricade.” Here’s what I wrote (with updated numbers to reflect the intervening years): Your Volatility Barricade Your portfolio’s […]
Like a Loaded Shotgun, Capital Protection is Your Best Defense
The adage “defense wins championships,” is perhaps as true in investing and personal security as it is in football. There’s no better example than this year when, during Super Bowl LIII, the New England Patriots held the Los Angeles Rams to zero touchdowns, and only one field goal. Despite scoring only 13 points, the Patriots […]
High Barriers to Entry Make for Safer Investments
I have written many times through the years about the benefits of businesses with high barriers to entry. Those barriers often include protection by government regulations, including rights of way, monopoly power, and intellectual property. In November of 1996 I explained the value of intellectual property and how difficult it is to generate. I wrote: […]
Will the Dow’s Mega-Companies Use Blockchain to Change the World?
You may still not have recovered consciousness after the 19% drop from October 3 through Christmas Eve. So, I wouldn’t blame you for not noticing the Dow’s rapid 16% rise over the past nine weeks. One question I receive quite often is, “what are your thoughts on technology?” My quick response—I love technology. But when […]
My March Rage Gauge: Take Inventory of Your Investment Life
My March Rage Gauge is in, and it feels like the calm before the storm. Does that mean the market will have a huge downward correction this year? Like I’ve written to you in the past, I’m not in the prediction business. Because for you to be a great investor, you need to put together […]
How to Avoid Wall Street’s Unshakable Attachment to Earnings
Back in December of 1997, I explained Wall Street analysts’ fixation with earnings, and more specifically, earnings guidance. I wrote: Forget Wall Street’s Myopic Attachment to Quarterly Earnings It’s important for you to grasp the primary control force of short-term market action. The control force is quarterly earnings reports versus Wall Street projections. Companies that fail […]
Do You Have What it Takes to be a Great One?
My son’s high school hockey team won their game the other night 7-1. In what can often be a tense ride home (dad’s you know what I mean) I was more relaxed talking about his play. One of his comments was “If we beat them 7-1 what are the other teams winning by that beat […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- …
- 114
- Next Page »