People fear double-digit stock market declines. I see them as opportunities. The US stock market has been more volatile lately. And my portfolio is better off because of this volatility. I just finished reading Nassim Taleb’s book Antifragile. He has got me thinking about my … [Read more...] about Volatility is good for my investments
Complete List of Blog Posts
Why that market crash didn’t happen?
Last year in November I wrote a blog post (Why I Stay Invested in Stocks?) about some investors (they were my friends) who were convinced that a market crash was imminent, and they were waiting on sidelines with cash to invest. Well, this is nearly the end of 2018 and that crash … [Read more...] about Why that market crash didn’t happen?
My investments with founder CEOs
The median tenure of public company CEOs is about five years [1]. They come and go. Many of them are paid handsomely to run a company—in either cash or stocks that vest in 3 to 4 years. They’d own some shares while they work for the company and then cash out as they leave. They … [Read more...] about My investments with founder CEOs
There is never a bad time to start investing
Is this the right time to invest in the stock market? The answer is yes—it’s always a ‘yes’. And I am not being facetious! The best time to invest in stocks is … when you have money to invest. Of course, some cash saving is required for near-term needs. But if you have money … [Read more...] about There is never a bad time to start investing
Are you prepared for stock market winter?
This is not a panic post. I don’t know when the next market downturn would happen. I don’t care to know either. My investing is not based on predicting future events. As Howard Marks wrote once, "taking bold actions based on forecasts of things that are uncertain isn’t just … [Read more...] about Are you prepared for stock market winter?
Why does the stock market mock us?
Sometimes it feels like the stock market is mocking us—intentionally doing the unexpected. When we invest new money, the stock market promptly falls as if it's punishing us. Other times, it jumps up after we had sold some shares. If you are an investor, you will encounter this … [Read more...] about Why does the stock market mock us?
What if I had invested near the stock market peak?
Last week, I shared results of my 10-year investing experience with a broad market index fund: My 10-year odyssey with a Schwab index fund. This post follows up on that theme by simulating several related scenarios. None of them I experienced myself but they’re still useful to … [Read more...] about What if I had invested near the stock market peak?
My 10-year odyssey with a Schwab index fund
Investing can be quite boring – especially if one is following a long-term plan. From my experience, people who do it best are those who put their investing on an auto-pilot. And let their money compound over time. For 10, 20, even 30 years or more. Successful investing doesn’t … [Read more...] about My 10-year odyssey with a Schwab index fund
Don’t take investing advice from people you don’t know!
It was some time in 2011 if I remember correctly. I had tuned to my local NPR station at lunch time. A financial advisor couple was getting interviewed. They had just released a new book on financial planning. It was a pleasant discussion. They seemed genuine. They also appeared … [Read more...] about Don’t take investing advice from people you don’t know!
When do I exit stock positions?
In July 1999, Warren Buffett gave a speech to business leaders in Sun Valley, Idaho. Back then, the U.S. stock market had been on a tear. Understandably, many attendees were very optimistic about their businesses’ prospects. Undaunted though, Buffett went on to make the argument … [Read more...] about When do I exit stock positions?