ValueBlogReview

Ultimate 2008 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Guide - Fat Pitch Financials [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:39:32 -0500

Four Filters Invention of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:09:05 -0500

The Best and Worst 529 College-Savings Plans [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:39:38 -0500

The Market Speculator: How Can You Not Bet Against Gold? [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:31:17 -0500

Google’s Killer App for Investors, Consultants and Journalists - Seeking Alpha [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:46:27 -0500

Playing with CandleVolume charts — Amazing.–TradeForGain.com [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:11:30 -0500

Rare Financial Books For Sale [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:06:58 -0500

Inside a panic at E*Trade - Apr. 4, 2008 [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:09:46 -0500

Op-Chart: Making Money Hand Over Fist - The New York Times [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:03:48 -0500

FINVIZ.com - Stock Market Screener, Charts, Quotes - Financial Visualizations [del.icio.us]

StevenSteven — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:34:38 -0500

Point & Figure Charting - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:38:29 -0600

Point & Figure Charting: The Essential Application for Forecasting and Tracking Market Prices (Wiley Trading)

What Is It About?

This book covers the Point and Figure method of stock charting. Based on the theory that stock prices are simply a reflection of supply and demand the book explains to the reader what Point and Figure charting is and how to utilize Point and Figure Charts. Easy to understand explanations and the included CD with tutorial provide the reader with an easy to grasp understanding of the subject.

What Did I Get Out Of It As A New Investor?

The subject of stock charting is anathema to many investors. I am of the opinion that stock charting, like every mode of investing, has its place and value to each individual. Point and Figure charting may be the best example of stock charting for the new investor. Straight forward without many complicated patterns to learn and study, Point and Figure charting simply seeks to divine supply and demand with respect to the stock, ETF, or mutual fund studied. Coupled with fundamental analysis, Point and Figure charting may provide the investor with an additional tool in making investing and trading decisions. This book does a fine job of explaining how.

The Good News

For the new investor and trader looking to explore stock charting this book and the method it covers provides a simple straight forward explanation on how to do so.

The Bad News

Those who reject the idea of stock charts as a useful process will not find much value here.

The Bottom Line

Stock charting exists. New investors and traders are a curious lot. This book helps such individuals determine whether stock charting appeals to them as a useful tool or is nothing more than a distraction.

Other Related Reading:

The 15 Most Important Investing Blogs For New Investors or Traders

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:09:48 -0600

As I mentioned in my last post I had a good year and have done well in my first two years investing. While it may be luck I would like to think that at least part of my success the past two yeas is due to skill. Not my own of course but rather the skills I have appropriated from reading various blogs.

In what has become a semi-annual feature I like to recognize the blogs that I feel have contributed most to my education as an investor and trader. At the end of my first year I posted on the top five blogs I read my first year investing. I followed up with an another top five blogs for the first half of 2007. To recap the first ten are:

1. Gannon On Investing

One of the few bloggers I would actually pay to read.

2. Nodoodahs Investing

Smartest blogger I read.

3. Capital Markets & Social Equity

Best all around site to learn about every aspect of investing.

4. Trader Mike

Short term, long term, chart analysis, book reviews, educational links, reviews of trading tools; you name it Mike seems to provide it.

5. Howard Lindzon: Trends - Find Them, Ride Them, and Get Off

Part Groucho Marx and J.P. Morgan, Howard Lindzon does a great job of discussing, with humor, the underlying businesses represented by stocks.

6. Traderfeed

Read this site and you just may unleash the inner power of your mind to increase market performance while at the same time controlling the destructive mental tendencies we all have that decrease investing performance.

7. Daily Options Report

Great resource for an investor or trader looking to utilize options as a means to enhance market performance.

8. Maoxian

Think of him as the Bo Jackson of blogging. Can do it all and do it well. Insightful market commentary on all time frames and every style of investing and trading.

9. Cheap Stocks

Perhaps the best blog to read on applying the teachings of Benjamin Graham.

10. Abnormal Returns

Provides a comprehensive review, with links, to some of the best investment and economic related posts on the Internet.

Adding to the above ten are the following five blogs that I have found worthwhile reading during the second half of 2007:

11. Chris Perruna's Successful Education Through Investing

Great site that mixes different styles of investing and trading. One of the best things about this blog is that the blog does a good job of explaining why and how to have buy and sell discipline in selecting stocks.

12. Fat Pitch Financials

Great resource for the new value investor looking to learn more about value investing and how it is practiced.

13. Covered Call Writer Blog

The blog is a trading journal of an individual who has a system for writing covered calls. The blog details that system as well as the trades made using the aforementioned system. Good starting point for those interested in options.

14. Reflections on Value Investing

Best site that provides links to the best articles, blog posts, and resources for the value investor.

15. Rising Dividend Investing

Solid site that provides worthwhile market insight from a professional money management firm.

While I read a lot of great blogs, the above fifteen are those that I feel have done the most to advance my understanding of investing and trading.

Value Blog Review Year End Results 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:47:29 -0600

As long time readers of this blog will remember my first year of investing in 2006 resulted in a 19.62% return. 2007 was my second full year investing and I am quite pleased that I was able to achieve a return for the year of 29.75%.

While I am obviously pleased with the absolute return, I am obviously satisfied with the relative return when compared to the various indexes, i.e., DOW, S&P, etc. Moreover, I have also achieved my stated goal from a relative point of view by earning a greater return than the risk free rate on what I would earn paying off my mortgage.

Overall my first two years have produced an annualized return of 26.82%. While I hope, and will try, to continue this blistering pace for the next 25 years, my expectation is that it won't. That is because two good years could be entirely the result of good fortune as opposed to any skill on my part. With that said, for those interested, in my next couple of posts I will discuss those things that I believe contributed to my success.

Future Blind - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:09:28 -0600

Future Blind

A newer blog that I enjoy is Future Blind. Future Blind looks at investing from a value-fundamental perspective. The blog also takes a look at general economic trends with an eye towards innovation. The posts on Future Blind are well written and the valuation analysis are detailed. While Future Blind does not post everyday, each one is a is worth waiting for as they excel at informing the reader.

Future Blind

Payout Yield - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:47:14 -0500

Payout Yield

An interesting blog that covers share buybacks is Payout Yield. Payout Yield analyse announced share repurchase for their payout yield. Taking the announced buyback as well as the current dividend payment, Payout Yield examines the yield a shareholder might expect from the combined cash return.

While Payout Yield does not post often. it does provide an excellent resource for those interested in share repurchases.

Payout Yield

COTS Timer - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:41:09 -0500

COTS Timer

A blog that does a good job of focusing on developing and implementing a trading system is the COTS Timer blog. The COTS Timer blog focuses on trading using the Commitments of Traders (COTS) Reports. The COTS Timer blog provides a helpful resource for those interested in reading how to use a trading system.

COTS Timer

Warren Buffett Speaks - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:58:45 -0500

Warren Buffett Speaks: Wit and Wisdom from the World's Greatest Investor

What Is It About?

This book collected and arranged selected quotes from Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Covering a variety of topics the quotes set forth Warren Buffett’s approach to business, market, and life in general. Until Mr. Buffett’s own book is published next year, this collection of quotes taken from his various speeches and writings is the next best thing.

What Did I Get Out Of It As A New Investor?

What can’t I learn from Warren Buffett? This book provides a handy reference to Warren Buffett quotes culled from his shareholder letters, speeches, and other writings. Good quick read, the book is excellent reading.

The Good News

It is Warren Buffett’s own words in a book.

The Bad News

Not much downside here.

The Bottom Line

Nothing teaches like success and any way you measure it Warren Buffett is successful. Consequently, a book comprised of his quotes should be read by all.

Other Related Reading:

My Review My Review

Microcap Speculator - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:35:49 -0500

Microcap Speculator

Another blog that I enjoy reading is the Microcap Speculator blog. The Microcap Speculator blog covers the microcap realm from all angles, using diffrent styles and time frames to analyze various microcap stocks. Well written the Microcap Speculator blog provides concise commentary that does not waste the readers time. In other words, the blog author gets to the point.

For those looking for a blog focusing on microcaps in an intelligent fashion one may find the Microcap Speculator worthwhile reading.

Microcap Speculator

Stock Market Prognosticator - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:05:35 -0500

Stock Market Prognosticator

Another blog I enjoy reading is the Stock Market Prognosticator. As stated on the blog, the Stock Market Prognosticator takes "an alternative view of events in today's financial markets with an emphasis on value and contrarian investing." In taking the alternative view the Stock Market Prognosticator does an excellent job exploring little covered areas of the stock market.

As seen by the series of posts covering "Pink Sheets" (Parts I, II, III, IV, and V) the Stock Market Prognosticator takes the time to introduce readers to little covered and often ignored areas of the stock market. The Stock Market Prognosticator also provides a worthwhile discussion of more general topics related to investing as well. Overall, the Stock Market Prognosticator provides excellent value to those who seek the road less travelled.

Stock Market Prognosticator

Naked Capitalism - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:30:58 -0500

Naked Capitalism

Blogs that provide links to relevant investing articles are easily my favorite category of blogs. One such blog that I have added to my daily read is Naked Capitalism. Several times a day the authors of Naked Capitalism post links and excerpts of timely financial, market, and economic news stories. In addition, Naked Capitalism also does a fine job of adding its own analysis to the cited content.

With a copious 100 plus posts each month, Naked Capitalism is a blog that provides its readers with fresh and thoughtful material in abundance. Those looking to add to their collection of blogs that provide worthwhile links will not find disappointment with Naked Capitalism.

Naked Capitalism

Controlled Greed - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:36:54 -0500

Controlled Greed

Another fine blog I enjoy reading is Controlled Greed. Controlled Greed offers much to its readers. From detailing the authors current holdings and the rationale behind each selection to providing links and discussion of current news about investing Controlled Greed covers a wide range of topics related to fundamental investing.

As described on the site Controlled Greed is:

devoted to investing in undervalued stocks. The focus is global and typical investments can include net working capital discounts (also known as "net nets"), book value discounts, low P/E ratios, special situations and fallen angels.

Controlled Greed is a well written blog that I believe those interested in fundamental investing can learn much by reading.

SuperCash: The New Hedge Fund Capitalism - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:55:33 -0500

SuperCash: The New Hedge Fund Capitalism (Wiley Trading)

What Is It About?

This book examines alternative approaches to success in the market. Looking at various techniques such as closed-end fund arbitrage, short-selling, and activism, the author explains to the reader how various strategies work and how an individual can mimic those strategies on a smaller scale. Well-written, the book is a quick read at just over 200 pages.

What Did I Get Out Of It As A New Investor?

The book introduces a new investor or trader to the allocation of assets using alternative investments. Using examples of 13D filings the author demonstrates how the new investor can profitably ride the coattails of professional activist investors. The author also takes the reader through a step by step explanation on how to implement a closed-end fund arbitrage strategy. Several other chapters walk the reader through various other strategies employed by hedge funds. Overall, the book did a good job helping me understand that there are many alternative avenues to investing success.

The Good News

A helpful book for a new investor or trader hoping to understand alternative classes of investing.

The Bad News

The author says don’t read his books.

The Bottom Line

An informative book that provides the new investor or trader with a basic understanding on how to implement alternative investing strategies.

Other Related Reading:

My Review

Best Stock Trading In The World - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:31:13 -0500

Best Stock Trading In The World

Depth. It is what I most enjoy about the blogs I read. Depth both in content and quality of writing is what appeals most to me when I am reading a blog. The kind of content depth that forces you to pay attention when you a read a blog post to make sure you don't miss the point. The kind of writing depth that displays a nuanced command of the English language that allows one to read a blog post twice and still feel a sense of freshness the second time around.

A blog that satisfies my criteria is the Best Stock Trading In The World blog. A rather new blog with nine posts in July and eighteen in the current month of August, the Best Stock Trading In The World blog caught my eye a few weeks ago due to the quality of the writing and the depth of the content. To date the blog seems to be posting in a serial fashion as it proceeds to some unknown destination. As such I would recommend that one start at the beginning and read the posts in order to better understand the current posts as they build on each other.

As for what the blog is about I will simply quote from the title page and allow the author to describe it:

This is a blog about thinking. It operates under the pretense of being about the stock market. But this may not be so bad; the stock market as a world is a suitable world in which to think. It is suitable because it has a goal. There is at least but one world more suitable for thinking but that world cannot be so easily entered. It is sometimes said that “One must swim to stay afloat. One must eat to stay alive.” This blog is intended to conquer that. Let us conquer it together.

Best Stock Trading In The World

Zero Beta - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:57:06 -0500

Zero Beta

Another fine blog I enjoy reading is Zero Beta. Zero Beta takes a look at the broader happenings in the market and economy and does so in an intelligent and insightful manner. Providing links as well as original content Zero Beta provides thought provoking views on all things finance related. An example of the fine analysis performed can be seen in this post regarding the recent subprime sell off.

Zero Beta

Covered Call Blog - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:58:16 -0500

Covered Call Writer Blog

An interesting blog that has made its way onto my feed reader is the Covered Call Writer Blog. The blog is a trading journal of an individual who has a system for writing covered calls. The blog details that system as well as the trades made using the aforementioned system. The blog also provides links to various articles and resources regarding writing covered calls.

An informative blog for the new investor or trader looking to learn about covered call writing.

Covered Call Writer Blog

The Financial Philosopher - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:50:31 -0500

The Financial Philosopher

Some blogs entertain. Other blogs educate. It is the rare blog that is smart. By smart I mean that feeling one has after reading an article knowing that the clarity of thought expressed is of a level few obtain. I classify The Financial Philosopher as falling into the smart category.

The Financial Philosopher blog provides the new investor or trader with the tools which provoke one to philosophically examine the field of investing and trading. The Financial Philosopher discuses those issues most pertinent to a new investor's or trader's success in the market and does so in a easy to understand manner. Simply put, I enjoy this blog because I agree with the blog author's statement that "everything goes back to keeping things simple and knowing intimately who you are."

The new investor would be well served to take the time to read The Financial Philosopher

blog.

The Financial Philosopher

The Smart Money Report - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:27:16 -0500

The Smart Money Report

Another blog that I have recently found that I like is the The Smart Money Report. The Smart Money Report provides several daily links to interesting articles and blog posts. A good blog for those looking to find things to read without spending a lot of time searching.

The Smart Money Report

James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:22:29 -0500

James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch

Like Abnormal Returns, James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch is another excellent way to save time. Six times a week Mr. Altucher posts links to several articles and blog posts that merit attention. For those who do not have time it is a quick and easy way to stay on top of the investment blog world.

Additionally, as author of three great books on investing, the creator of the Stockpickr website, and a successful hedge fund manager, James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch provides the new investor and trader with access to a daily news briefing from an individual who offers valuable insight. The best part is that this access is free. So too are many other of Mr. Altucher's writings at TheStreet.com.

James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch has saved me time and provided value to my education as an investor/trader, and I think it will do the same for any new investor or trader.

James Altucher's Daily Blog Watch

The dk Report - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 22:06:34 -0500

The dk Report

The dk Report is a blog that provides an excellent daily overview on what transpired in the market. Mixing commentary with economic analysis accompanied by charts, The dk Report reviews how sectors, industries, and indices are performing.

Well written and detailed The dk Report nonetheless presents the material covered in a manner that even the new trader or investor can grasp. For the new trader interested in learning how to study market trends using charts, The dk Report provides informed analysis while not overwhelming the novice reader.

The dk Report

Cheap and Safe - Stock Screen

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:51:40 -0500

Here is a screen that looks for both cheap and relatively safe stocks. It comes from the Stingy Investor website which provides good resources for the new investor. You can make the screen by using the free deluxe screener available at the MSN Money website.

1. A member of the S&P500

2. Debt-to-Equity Ratio less than or equal to 0.5

3. Current Ratio of more than 2

4. Interest Coverage of more than 2

5. Some Cash Flow from Operations

6. Some Earnings

7. Price to Sales ratio of less than 1

Here is a link to the screen and the rationale behind it.

The Aleph Blog - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:24:58 -0500

The Aleph Blog

Another solid blog a new investor or trader may benefit from reading is the The Aleph Blog. The Aleph Blog is authored by David J. Merkel,a commentator at the website RealMoney.com. The Aleph Blog covers a wide variety of topics including macroeconomics, derivatives, quantitative strategies, insurance issues, corporate governance, etc. One of the better things that the The Aleph Blog does, as stated on the blog, is a review of the inter-linkages in the markets in order to understand individual markets better.

The highest compliment I give about the blogs I read is that a blog not only informs and educates, but also challenges its reader to think. The Aleph Blog does just that. A new investor or trader should make the effort to read The Aleph Blog.

The Aleph Blog

Best Stock Market Blogs As Voted By You

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:34:13 -0500

Last week I posted the top 10 blogs that have helped me the most since I started investing 18 months ago. Now it is your turn.

I created a list on Amazon's Unspun of Stock Market Blogs. The site also allows for the creation of a Widget as you can see on the right.

Either by visiting the above link or using the interactive widget to the right feel free to vote for those blogs you feel are your favourite or that have helped you the most. This list is by no means complete so feel free to follow the above link and add any blog you feel deserves a vote, even your own. Hopefully over time the list will present to the new investor or trader a road map to the more useful blogs.

Please note: Except for the first ten which are the blogs I have learned the most from, I started this list by simply selecting other blogs I enjoy from my blog roll. I will leave it up to you to rank them by voting.

Top Five Blogs For a new Investor Or Trader - First Half 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:38:38 -0500

At the beginning of the year I selected the top five blogs I felt contributed the most to my development in the first 12 months as an investor and trader. You can see that post here. The five blogs I mentioned are Geoff Gannon: Gannon On Investing, Bill Rempel: Nodoodahs Investing, Bill Cara: Capital Markets & Social Equity, Michael Seneadza: Trader Mike, and Howard Lindzon: Trends - Find Them, Ride Them, and Get Off. Those five blogs I thought were essential in my obtaining a 19.63% return for 2006.

All of the above are still great blogs and I think any new investor or trader should read them. Of course learning is not static and as my knowledge grows so does the circle of blogs I draw on to learn from. To build on my previous "Top Five Blogs of 2006" I thought it would help other investors to know what other blogs I am currently learning the most from besides the above five. Therefore, the following are the five blogs (in addition to the aforementioned five) that I feel have had the most impact on my ability to achieve a 14.96% return in the first half of 2007.

1. Traderfeed

Exploring and understanding your competencies and limitations reigns paramount above all else. Traderfeed offers insightful analysis on how to unleash the inner power of your mind to increase market performance while at the same time controlling the destructive mental tendencies we all have that decrease investing performance.

2. Daily Options Report

Daily Options Report is a great resource for an investor or trader looking to utilize options as a means to enhance market performance. The author, Adam Warner, goes out of his way to explain in terms understandable to the uninitiated options trader what options are all about. Mr. Warner is also quick to respond to any questions is readers might have.

3. Maoxian

Since 2001, the author of the Maoxian blog has been providing insightful market commentary on all time frames and every style of investing and trading. While the current material is well worth the read, great value can be found in the extensive archive. For those wanting to read a perspective on the market from someone who was blogging before there were blogs then Maoxian is the place to go.

4. Cheap Stocks

Perhaps the best blog to read on applying the teachings of Benjamin Graham is Cheap Stocks. Each post provides a great teaching tool to the new investor who desires to see an example of the traditional "Grahamian" style of value investing. Reading the blog archive at Cheap Stocks, which dates to 2003, a new investor will be rewarded with a better grasp on traditional fundamental investing.

5. Abnormal Returns

Everyday Abnormal Returns provides a comprehensive review, with links, to some of the best investment and economic related posts on the Internet. Often, the posts are organized around a daily topic or theme. If you are a new investor or trader and do not know what to read, Abnormal Returns can help because it collects the most relevant daily links to the best investment related articles on the Internet which will then provide an invaluable education.

There it is, the five most important blogs to me in the first half of 2007. I think any investor or trader will be well served to read the blogs listed in my "Top Five Blogs of 2006" and the blogs listed currently for the first half of 2007. I know they helped me.

Cheap Stocks - Blog Review

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:51:33 -0500

Cheap Stocks

Another blog I enjoy and have learned a great deal from is Cheap Stocks. Cheap Stocks focuses on finding traditional value investments. In other words, Cheap Stocks finds value in assets as opposed to growth. The blog does this by using the teachings of Benjamin Graham to highlight stocks (often obscure and unlisted) which provide the investor with a demonstrable margin of safety.

While the blog is not updated as often as one would like (avg. of 5-6 posts a month) each post provides a great teaching tool to the new investor who desires to see an example of the traditional "Grahamian" style of value investing in action. By reading the blog archive which dates to 2003, a new investor will be rewarded with a cinematic view of the rewards that await those willing to take the road less traveled in stocks unloved or unknown.

Overall, Cheap Stocks is one of the best blogs that educates the new investor on traditional fundamental investing.

Cheap Stocks

First Half 2007 Results - Corrected

noreply@blogger.com (Steven) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:24:52 -0500

One of the reasons I am not Bill Rempel is I am math challenged. This morning, after writing this post late last night, I realized I made an error on my spread sheet. I had the dates off and therefore the number was wrong.

For the first six months of 2007 my year to date, annualized, is 14.96%. Using a simple interest calculation (current balance divided by January 1, 2007, starting balance plus any contributions without regard to date made) reveals a gain of 13.9%.

Sorry about the confusion. Suggestions on a good summer math camp I can send myself to will be appreciated.