Stock Market Investors

[…] We have taken the view that our eight criteria for stock selection will guide us to invest in great companies at very favorable valuations allowing us to be able to compound our returns over the long term. We don’t particularly care what the theme of the month or year is. This style of investing, while superior over the long run, takes a balanced blend of humility, conviction in the research process and a willingness to take risks through a contrarian asset allocation. It’s easy to say but very hard to do. It is our willingness to follow our process and invest regardless of the conventional market view that we believe sets us apart from our peers (particularly ETFs). This is not just something we say, a quick glance at our portfolio demonstrates it’s what we do as well. […]

[…] Fortunately for us, push eventually comes to shove. Since there is no end in sight in the demand for fossil fuels and there is only criticism for those who are poking holes in the ground to find oil and gas, something has to give. The something that has to give is either a massive increase in oil and gas drilling, or more likely, a consolidation of the industry by the very large-cap companies who were so scared to do this a few years ago at much lower prices. The proverbial “drilling for oil on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).” […]

[…] Investors should fear death like Barbie did. We call it stock market failure. These valuations won’t go up like a six-inch heel. Flats may be more fitting for thinking about stock returns going forward. The only way to fight this for stock investors is to be scrutinous about the businesses you own and what you are paying for those stocks. In the Barbie movie, Ken wandered the real world trying to make sense of things. He only came to bad conclusions and never ended up with Barbie. Stock investors could be no different in their own fantasy land.