One World Trader

What about about the GNP to total mkt cap ratio? Could this be compared to the data from rkbabang? Is there data in the months before and after the poll that shows how many months it took to get to those levels?

I would give everything to Fairfax Financial Holdings for 10 years. This would eliminate cycles and variability, and I would know the account was with professionals with years of experience.

I will answer this one! ;D Today FFH’s equity is $7.2 billion. If it compounds at 15% for the next 10 years, its equity will become $28.8 billion. If it compounds at 15% for the next 20 years, its equity will become $115.2 billion. At that point, if it sells for 1.4 x BV, its capitalization will be 1.4 x 115.2 = $161.3 billion. Little more than half what BRK is selling for today. Besides, at that time I guess there will be many trillion dollar companies (markets will be much larger)… Therefore, no, I don’t think size will be a serious obstacle to compound at 15% annual going forward. :) Gio That tell's us it's feasible from Market Cap standpoint. However, does FFH still have the ability to compound at 15%? Great Question - Is the goal of Fairfax Financial to continue to grow BV at 15 percent?

I asked this thread on the forum earlier if there are any multi-baggers. I guess there are less opportunities than I thought.

What appears to be a multi bagger today?

I recently subscribed to IBD newspaper. I find it misleading on general investing advice. Does anyone else on the board find the information and advice in this newspaper misleading?

To add -would it be wise to bet against either professional? Is there not a chance both can be correct?

I would like to go to be a student! Thank you for letting me learn on this blog. I appreciate this!

Hello! What is the reason for the low volume in the Fairfax security since 2009? Is this because of low turnover?

Is there a place where like minded investors focused on finding value meet in person? (besides this great forum) Thanks all!

Would you consider then lotsofcoke that they have nowhere to go but up? I can think of a number of apple products that flopped in the 90s before that technology business turned profitable. :) Like apple, they were profitable before the decline.

Here is an article that speaks to the valuation in dollars of BBRY with 0 percent growth looking forward, which depending on it's patent value, could have Mr. Market confused and underestimating BBRY value by 3 dollars. Interesting! Maybe Prem might take the business private, it generates hundreds of millions in cash (though steadily declining at the moment) each quarter. Good call on the BBM cost, future advertising deals maybe? http://m.barrons.com/articles/a/SB50001424052748704382404578565453982736218?mg=reno-barrons

Open discussion - does Prem See something in Blackberry that we do not? Year over year losses have declined, however since sales did not meet expectations and Mr. Market has decided to lower BBRY by 27 percent today, does this mean it is not a solid business model? They have announced this week possibly to a change in strategy from hardware to software stating that they have been approved and are going to sell Blackberry Messenger on Apple and Android smartphones as a more steady source of income, what does the board's research show of the strengths/ weaknesses of BBRY moving forward?

Let's not get greedy here, to quote WEB and CM, "I would rather buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price." ;D

As a recent graduate, I totally agree with Giofranchi. As much as we want to believe that higher education teaches us, we have to also recognize that it teaches us, more like forces us, to teach ourselves a great deal. The habit and skill of teaching ourselves is gained with whatever the subject matter is! The more one is willing to learn, the more one is taught! "Bull-markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria" - Sir John Templeton

Parsad - Does he really read it?

Given their track records, if Mr. Buffet tells of the coming 'shot heard round the world' with the easing of Quantitative Easing, and Mr. Watsa remains hedged ready for an opportunity, I won't be disagreeing with their perspective! "Bull-markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria." - John Marks Templeton

Hello Jay 21, I didn't see it and didn't know the books couldn't be repeated however I figure this one is worth mentioning again! Bravo Giofranchi! Thanks for some contributing ideas and posts in recent weeks, I look forward to reading on. I agree I am not sure why but I am inclined to believe the consumer culture doesn't allow any time to learn how to save, just how to spend!

[amazonsearch]The Richest Man In Babylon[/amazonsearch] Hello! I am introducing myself to this board with the goal of being one of the many financial freedom success stories I have read about in the few weeks of reading through some of the impressive posts to this board! I am a recent college graduate with a degree in engineering and have been reading about the world of finance for a few years (even before graduation but don't tell my professors)! I have studied strategies and thought processes of the greats and I think Mr. Watsa will go down as one of them! I am excited to be a new shareholder and consider myself a value investor though the name might not suggest (tribute to the WTC I grew up wanting to work in), and am excited to its potential especially for someone my age. Speaking of value investing, of the books I have read I consider this one of the best!! Reading through "The Richest Man In Babylon" gives a timeless feeling of how the benefits of investing for the long-term spans generations, and gives a sense of security knowing that we are not the first to reap the rewards of financial wisdom, nor is our civilization the first to develop wise investment practices. Enjoy this book! Such a simple yet effective read. I recommend it to anyone who thinks of themselves a value investor. Thanks and look forward to future posts discussing things with you all! One World Trader