Always View Yesterday’s Successes Through Today’s Glasses
When I was younger and not so financially “sophisticated”, I used to work for one of the largest international general contractors in the world. In theory, it should have been a good idea to invest in the company I worked for As part of my 401(k) plan, I was given the choice of different…
Read Full PostSingle Stock Not Best Choice for Long Position on Macro Trend
Prelude I invested in a company operating in a dominant position of its segment within China’s processed–food chain. I liked the investment idea based on the theme that processed food consumption typically rises alongside a country’s rise in income and urbanization. We see this play out when branded products on the shelves of the modern food retail networks replace wet markets, butchers and greengrocers (produce markets). …
Read Full PostFalse Hope, Poor Due Diligence Blinds Oil Industry Investor
I invested in an oil and gas industry offshore support vessel company in the first quarter of 2014, driven mainly by the desire to cash in on the presumed success of its parent company—an oil and gas industry engineering, procurement, and construction firm.
Read Full PostLack of Commitment Can Deal a Death Blow to an Investment
I have invested in a couple of businesses that were unsuccessful, but my worst investment ever was in my own start-up business. My team had won a start-up competition a few years back.
Read Full PostHow a ‘Good Company’ Can Still Mean a Bad Investment
During my very early days as an equity investor, I invested in a high-quality coal miner that was the market’s darling at the time. It had survived the 2008 financial crisis unscathed and delivered stellar returns in a falling market.
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