4 Financial Statement Red Flags
The most important thing for investors is not to lose money. As Warren Buffett once said: “The first rule of an investment is don’t lose money. And the second rule of an investment is don’t forget the first rule. And that’s all the rules there are.” Buffett means that investors should first focus on the […]
Understanding Financial Engineering For Investors
According to the Britannica Dictionary, an engineer is defined as: “a person who has scientific training and who designs and builds complicated products, machines, systems, or structures: a person who specializes in a branch of engineering” Engineering drives our modern world. From the buildings we live in to the cars we drive to the computing […]
The Psychology of Investing: Overcoming Common Behavioral Biases
Brains are important in investing. To excel in financial markets, you need to understand basic mathematics, how financial statements work, and the intricacies of business models. But what if I told you there was something 10x more important than pure smarts to succeed as an investor: your emotions. Managing your psychological state and the biases […]
Navigating the Basics of Tech Stocks
The world is awash in technology. If you look at a list of the 10 largest stocks in the world by market cap, eight could be considered technology companies. Of the other two, one is a state-owned oil producer, and the other is the investing conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway. Ever since the dawn of the internet, […]
Analyzing a Balance Sheet: 10 Metrics Every Investor Must Know
Analyzing a balance sheet is like peering under the hood of a car; it reveals a company’s inner financial workings and health. The balance sheet gives you insight into management and business strength. For investors, understanding the balance sheet is crucial for making informed decisions. This article takes a practical approach by focusing on Amazon, […]
How to Create a One-Pager for Stock Analysis
When diving into the world of investing, one of the most effective tools you can master is the creation of a one-pager for stock analysis. Creating a concise document allows you to quickly grasp the essentials of a potential investment and make informed decisions. In today’s post, we will learn: Okay, let’s dive in and […]
Risk Management For Beginners
When you invest your savings, you are taking on risks. This is an unavoidable fact for investors. Even if your entire portfolio is United States treasury bonds, you are still taking on some level of risk, no matter how small. The hope is that any potential rewards in the form of wealth creation outweigh these […]
7 Powers Decoded: Strategies for Sustainable Business Success from Hamilton Helmer
Understanding the underlying strategies that propel companies toward long-term success is paramount in the dynamic investment sphere. 7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy by Hamilton Helmer provides investors with a profound framework to evaluate companies through a strategic lens. I aim to adapt Helmer’s insights for investors, focusing on how each of the seven […]
Reading the Numbers: How to Analyze a Stock as a Beginner
Gross margin. Marketable securities. Earnings per share. These are all words you will find on the financial statements of publicly traded companies. Otherwise known as stocks. If you’ve never taken an accounting course, you likely have no idea what these terms mean. Analyzing stocks can be daunting for first-timers. There is foreign-sounding language, confusing SEC […]
8 Steps to Decoding Investment Moats
“In business, I look for economic castles protected by unbreachable ‘moats.’” ~ Warren Buffett, 2007 Shareholder Letter Finding companies with competitive advantages or moats are the Goldilocks of investments. Buffett made himself and his shareholders billions from investments in companies such as Coke, American Express, See’s Candies, and Apple. These companies exemplify moats or competitive […]
