Sunday 26 January 2014

World Economics Forum at Davos sets investment tones for 2014

At the annual World Economics Forum at Davos 2014, attended by head of states, economists and CEO of large MNC, this is where lots of information and data about economics were exchanged. And some of these discussions might just gave clue to the investment tone for this year.

Just to highlight some of the good reading and information complied as reference;
1. theguardian.com-five key data sets
2. www.onenewspage.co.uk - Shiller Warns of Global Bubbles
3. www.huffingtonpost.com
4. in.reuters.com-india tapering
5. www.bloomberg.com -Brazil
6. uk.reuters.com - emerging
7. forumblog.org- europes top 10 competitive economies
8. www.bloomberg.com - investors most upbeat in 5 years
9. www.cnbc.com - shiller

Sunday 12 January 2014

What is your investment strategy for 2014?

While I was surfing(usual routine) for information to reinforce my financial knowledge, I came across a video about this value investor, Joel Greenblatt. Apart from being an investor, he is  also an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. He devised a system which he had faithfully used and as a result, a book that he has also written - 'The Little Book that Beats the Market'. To most of the people, his system was known as the 'magic formula'. So what is this 'magic formula'.

The 'magic formula' is a simple set of system, which I like, as most of the readers know that I like to keep it simple.  To most of the folks who read or watch about him, most would have known of the 2 criteria, which helps one to select good companies at bargain price. However, there is also the 3rd most important criteria which he mentioned repeatedly in the video above, Patience. And, yes, most of the retail investors wanted to make a quick profit from the market and most of the time, they are more excited with counters where lots of other people are talking about.

If you want to know more about him, there are lots of information and videos in the internet, so I will not share more here. What I want to share is now I have another selection strategy which is simple to execute and a proven track record. 
Below is what I will be using in 2014 and longer if it make sense. In the funnel, you have the selection criteria from Walter Schloss and Joel Greenblatt. The funnel basically provides the guide to what to buy, and the TA tells you when to buy and cut loss.



Greenblatt's formula; source: oldschoolvalue.com

Remember a lot of the experts tell us these;
1. Buy and keep long term
2. Buy low and sell high
3. Dont time the market, always be in the market

But these people never share the how, and this strategy, though boring, addresses the above and keep your risk lower than most people around you.