racemize

that graph is excellent--it's something that you are aware of, but it is nice to see the returns spelled out.

Was trying to do the same here with other stocks, waiting to put it all in AIG and BAC when they cashed out. Investing is a game of regrets, balancing what and when to buy and sell. If I did not buy BAC and AIG at those prices, and many in this board probably thought the same, and they run afterwards, as it happened, I would have kicked myself for eternity. Some stocks are on third, others on second, all ready to run to home. But it is hard to predict which ones are going to get their single first. Did I get my baseball right? I think they'd have to be in different games for it to make sense. A single might bring in both the 2nd and 3rd's to home, or just advance each once. In any event, the single would apply to all of them at once, not separately (in the same game).

Thanks Parsad--that's what my gut is telling me too.

I guess I meant relatively happy, although I didn't realize BAC held at 8 in August--I was thinking it was in the 5's by then (at least that's when I finally bought it).

Lol, you actually made one. In a blatant attempt for advice here--I just rolled over an IRA from a previous money purchase plan and have ~10% of funds to allocate. Previously, due to cash flow, I was only able to get a 3% position in BAC, so I'm considering getting more; however, buying after a 40% rise and in a happy market makes me nervous (this may be irrational). I'm also looking at AIG, which has not risen as much and seems to be pretty much out of the woods at this point. Any comments?

It seems like happiness and celebration can be rational to me!

wow, that ending is nuts:

Looks like it was Oklahoma. http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/about

The website says 49 states. Did we lose one?

I presume it would just come out of reserves.

I've looked at this one a few times in the last six months--however, it seems like previous underwriting was not all that good. Presumably they will be a little more cautious going forward? I'm starting to dig in and go through it again.

You got it Petey! That's the whole poiint of this forum. Uccmal was a relatively smaller investor before he bought Fairfax when people were throwing it away. He could retire now if he wanted to. Ericopoly was a relatively smaller investor too before he bought Fairfax...he did retire after! ;D Now Eric is working on what he's going to leave his children with his recent investments going full throttle! Ten years ago, I wasn't running a fund. I started a message board with 9 of my friends so that we could just talk about Berkshire Hathaway...I didn't know Francis...I didn't know Prem...and I barely knew Mohnish...and I certainly didn't know all the wonderful people that have come and gone on here. The three stories above are just a smattering of what has happened to people on here over the years. There are so many similiar stories! That's why this forum remains open to people's opinions and we encourage everyone, from the small investor or large investor, to share your stories. It doesn't matter how big the bank account is or how much in assets you manage, it's what you have to say and where do you go from here! I don't know too many investors, professional or otherwise, that have done as well as Uccmal or Ericopoly in terms of return over the last 8-10 years...there are lessons there for everyone! Cheers! As I am relatively new here, this is great to hear and very encouraging. Good luck all!

In my 401k, I just put a fair amount of money in the wintergreen fund--he does value investing globally, so he filled a niche I have not been using for me. He has a good track record, but it is only 5 years.

at only 3%! sadface.

I signed up as well, though I don't imagine I'll do tests (boo tests!) Maybe if they are short...

re adblock, I usually pause it for sites that I support (or for companies I invest in). However, that rule is typically excepted if there are moving ads--I can't take that.

Oh man, I hope you are right--I was thinking more in the 40-45 range than 60. Any reason you have it that much higher?

If I didn't know any better I would think this was written by Shakespeare or Hemingway. Forget investing, you are a damn poet. I'm very curious which stock. lol, I'm not sure how sarcastic you are being, but I'll take it as a compliment. Anyways, it is just one of the Apple suppliers, with which I am very familiar. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the traders and analysts involved in it don't seem to understand how the company/revenue works or only pay attention to it relative to Apple earnings. e.g., it pre-announced a blow out quarter on Jan 3rd or thereabouts, causing a run-up. Then Apple posts a blow out quarter and all the suppliers run up again (ignoring the fact that the revenue/earnings are already known for this one). Then articles start coming about "expected revenue" and how it might be higher based on the blow out quarter from Apple, when in fact it is already locked in (Forbes once again shows its incompetence). Then the results happen and it gets sold off because it didn't blow through the expected (announced) earnings. End result is that it's not cheap anymore, but the stock movement and commentary was just silly. The whole situation makes me have even less respect for the market, but it is probably just a particular group of people rather than the whole. The same sort of thing happens just about every quarter at Apple announcements, though it was particularly egregious in this case. I should just trade the opposite of the herd since they don't bother to research...

I'm curious as to what methods everyone uses. I started by using the relatively simple cash flow statement method (add back depreciation/amortization and other appropriate non-cash charges then subtract estimated cap ex for maintenance to get owner earnings). However, on a friend's recommendation, I've been reading "Valuation: Measuring and managing the value of companies", which uses NOPLAT and a lot of balance sheet reorganizations to come up with FCF and ROIC. This second method is much more intensive, but perhaps more accurate? I'll need to apply it a few times first. In any event, what do you use?

how many shares are we talking?

I don't know anything about Fernandez from before or now--what makes you say that?

agreed, whenever I start doing really well, I feel nervous. I almost feel better when everything is down, for some reason (maybe just so I can buy more, but it seems more than that).

My wife and I are planning on giving away all our money by the time we die--hopefully I can compound enough to start something as cool as this (albeit on a smaller scale, I'm sure).

15.4% here and pretty much all in. I was over 20% last week, but the investors and article writers in my main stock have been going full retard for the last week--they may be over it now. didn't notice the Nov/Oct, the above is YTD. Over 2 months, it is probably a lot better.

I use google voice on my laptop and it is amazing (also free within the US). I also tie it to my cell phone, so I can pick up on either.