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  • In an era of fast fashion and planned obsolescence, companies that stand behind their products in the long run seem to few and far between. A company’s warranty policy can be enlightening as both a consumer and an investor, and can also inform us about the customer base in that industry.

    With some businesses updating their former “lifetime” warranties to cover shorter periods of time, how can we know whether those changes are due to declining quality or potential abuse from customers trying to take advantage?

    Join Danielle as she takes a look at a new policy from one of her favorite companies, as well as some other examples from well-known companies, and what that means for the value investor.

    If you’re in the early stages of your investing journey, click here for a free copy of The Complete Guide to Investing for Beginners: https://bit.ly/3MBzewf

    Topics Discussed:

    lululemon warranty policy change

    Aldi

    Dr. Martens

    Patagonia return/repair policy


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  • Investing in a great business can sometimes feel like a personal relationship, and much in the same way as breakups can be incredibly difficult, making the decision to exit a position can cause the same doubt and heartbreak as splitting with a romantic partner.

    Likewise, the same issues that can arise in interpersonal relationships–keeping secrets, communication breakdowns, divergent goals–can lead to deterioration of trust and change the dynamics of what would otherwise be a long-term investment. It is critical for successful value investors to have the ability to reevaluate positions when new information comes to light, regardless of their prior feelings about a given company.

    This episode of InvestED finds Phil and Danielle offering a candid analysis of recent developments in Phil’s own investments, and what lessons can be learned when you’re buying into a business with the objective of holding it through the ups and downs that come over the years.

    Whether you’re seeking a new company to buy or deciding whether an existing investment is staying true to your initial assessment, get your free copy of the Must Have Investing Checklist to avoid unnecessary risk in your portfolio: https://bit.ly/49bSWZ7

    Topics Discussed:

    Paris Olympics

    Athletic sponsorships

    Bank OZK concerns

    Difficulty in reevaluating positions

    VIX


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  • At the end of the 1970s and the early 1980s, a decade of financial instability and high inflation rates led Warren Buffett to ponder the correct path forward for Berkshire Hathaway in his letters to shareholders. His solutions in those years could hold some valuable information for investors as we find ourselves once again in turbulent times.

    While the financial, societal, and cultural contexts have drastically changed over the course of three and a half decades, the underlying business principles and inherent behavioral characteristics can offer insights into how wise investors can find success during times of uncertainty in the modern world.

    This Vault episode offers us a glimpse into both the recent and not-so-recent past as Danielle considers how a post-pandemic world can benefit from Buffett’s wisdom following one of the most volatile decades of the 20th century. 

    For help with protecting your investments in unstable markets, get your free copy of the Rule #1 Inflation-Ready Checklist: https://bit.ly/3yyrDdS

    Topics Discussed:

    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters

    Inflation in the 70s/80s

    Indexing investments to inflation

    Investing into companies with little debt

    Prioritizing gains in purchasing power over earnings

    Post-housing bubble concerns related to 30 years prior

    Anti-fragility


    Resources Discussed:

    DanielleTown.com

    Buffett’s 1979 letter

    Buffett’s 1980 letter

    Buffett’s 1981 letter

    Buffett’s 1983 letter

    Buffett’s 2010 letter


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  • Investing in companies that interest you can be more engaging and rewarding on a personal level, but it may not always align with long-term financial success. A core aspect of value investing lies in identifying companies that are undervalued but have strong potential for future growth, even if their business is less fascinating.

    Additionally, aligning investments with personal values and the way you see the world ensures that your portfolio reflects your beliefs and principles. With a limited lifetime portfolio, it’s crucial to balance passion-driven investments with those that have a solid track record of stability and growth. It makes sense that many people are drawn to flashy consumer-facing businesses, but those aren’t necessarily the best move for every investor.

    In this continuation of the utility of expert networks, Phil and Danielle discuss how and why value investors might place restrictions on their research process in order to find the best companies to buy, even if it doesn’t fully match their personal passions.

    If you’re searching for the next business to add to your portfolio, click here for an assortment of Rule #1 investment calculators that can help you identify key metrics in your research process: https://bit.ly/3A57OeC

    Topics Discussed:

    Expert help

    “Buying companies” vs buying stocks

    Buffett’s punch card

    10-K reports


    Resources Discussed:
    SBA SCORE network

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  • When you're trying to learn about an unfamiliar industry as part of your investing process, expert networks can be an incredibly helpful tool for getting started. These networks offer the opportunity to connect with people who have deep knowledge and experience in the industry, providing valuable insights into market trends and key players.

    However, you're not guaranteed to get completely reliable or unbiased information, so it's important to stay prudent and do your own research to make well-informed investment decisions. The knowledge and advice coming from the person you speak to can depend on the caliber of vetting taking place or the hourly rate you’ll be asked to pay, so the value of these networks will change depending on the specifics of your own investing goals.

    Listen in as Phil and Danielle discuss the merits and drawbacks of these networks, who they might be best suited to help, and where they’ll be taking this conversation in the weeks to come.

    To get some expert help directly from Rule #1, make sure to grab your free copy of How to Pick Stocks: The 5-Step Checklist: https://bit.ly/3ros8mU

    Topics Discussed:

    Micro-cap companies

    Expert networks

    Manipulating financial statements


    Resources Discussed:

    SBA SCORE network

    TEGUS

    Knowledge Ridge

    Damodaran on Valuation

    Understanding Financial Statements

    Financial Intelligence


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  • Do you ever find yourself in the process of research and realize that you’re only looking for information that supports your hunches? That’s confirmation bias, and it’s a trap that value investors must learn to dodge as they investigate the next business to buy into.

    With billions of dollars on the line at times, there’s no limit to what some people will do to see their companies achieve success, regardless of the ethics involved. Therefore, one of the best tools we can have in our toolbox is knowing how to spot red flags and steer clear of the deception and fraud that can fool even the savviest investor.

    In this week’s episode, Phil and Danielle tell us how “being a reporter for your own newspaper” is not only among the more interesting aspects of investing, but why it can safeguard your portfolio and avoid costly missteps.

    To know exactly where to start when researching companies to invest in, don’t miss out on your free copy of Phil’s Value Investing Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/3QeCCje

    Topics Discussed:

    Oliver White

    Confirmation bias

    Terrence Howard’s questionable math

    Peer review

    Scuttlebutt investing

    Theranos


    Resources Discussed:
    Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

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  • To be a well-informed investor, it's crucial to read widely across various topics. This broad knowledge base enhances your ability to make strategic investment decisions by understanding industry dynamics, economic trends, and global events.

    Investing involves betting on the future of the country where you place your money, making a comprehensive worldview essential for success. While some may dismiss those without formal education in a specific field, unconventional thinking can offer unique and valuable insights in the investment world.

    On this week’s episode, Phil and Danielle take a look at the frontier economics of Daniel Boone, and how going outside the bounds of investing and finance can be a huge advantage for value investors.

    To learn how to better plan, save, and invest at any age, click here for a free copy of Rule #1’s guide Map Out Your Investing Journey: https://bit.ly/3DTy4qN

    Topics Discussed:

    July 4th

    The importance of reading broadly

    Daniel Boone/Westward expansion

    Buffett on betting against America

    Confirmation bias


    Resources Discussed:

    Last of the Mohicans

    Irrational Exuberance

    JRE with Terrence Howard and Eric Weinstein


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  • Despite all the mystique around investing, it essentially boils down to understanding the business you’re investing in and viewing it as owning a part of a real company, not just buying a stock. This tends to hold true no matter the company, the industry, or the state of the market as a whole.

    Few investors have understood this as well as Warren Buffett and his team at Berkshire Hathaway. With Munger having recently passed and Buffett offering insights into his twilight years as the world’s premier value investing superstar, what does the future hold for BH with the potential for a huge shakeup in leadership?

    This week finds our hosts back in the “studio” to discuss the question of succession planning at Berkshire Hathaway, and what that means for the value investor and the market at large.

    For more knowledge from some of the most successful minds in value investing, click here for your free copy of The Best Investors in the World: https://bit.ly/3DhbmIS

    Topics Discussed:

    Instagram

    Dataroma/Gurufocus

    Li Lu and Timberland

    Institutional imperative at Berkshire


    Resources Discussed:
    The Intelligent Investor

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  • Summer is here, and the season of barbecues, block parties, and swimming pools may actually have more to offer for your investing practice than just a nice break from sitting in front of the computer.

    In this week’s truncated “tidbit episode,” Danielle reminds us that every conversation can be an opportunity to dig a bit deeper into an unfamiliar subject, and that a good value investor keeps their eyes, ears, and mind open to the wealth of knowledge and perspective that comes from the people in their life.

    To get a handle on your own investing practice for all 4 seasons, don’t miss out on your free copy of Phil Town’s 12-Month Financial Success Planner: https://bit.ly/45AP6Xh

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  • The market is a thrilling arena for investors in the internet age. Due to the previously unimaginable connectivity afforded to the public by the internet and social media, we’ve seen coordinated efforts by online investors who’ve used message boards to engineer short squeezes against hedge funds, like with the highly-publicized story surrounding GameStop.
    A short squeeze occurs when investors betting on a stock's decline are forced to buy shares to cover their positions, driving the price up further. This phenomenon was vividly demonstrated with GameStop, causing substantial losses for hedge funds and prompting a regulatory response.
    In this week’s throwback episode, we check back on the early days of the ongoing GameStop/Reddit saga to see where it all began.
    To discover your investing weaknesses and learn how to manage your money smarter, click here to take the Rule #1 Investing Personalities Quiz:  https://bit.ly/468F8eW

    Topics Discussed:

    Reddit

    GameStop

    Robinhood

    Shorting stocks

    SEC regulation


    Resources Discussed:
    Chamath Palihapitiya interview

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  • The world’s best investing minds have made fortunes that most people can barely dream of in their lifetimes, but having a successful portfolio doesn’t require the highest IQ, an office full of analysts, or access to top secret information.

    Understanding your own strengths and being able to identify the fields that are of interest to you are crucial components of a fruitful investing practice, and maintaining a limited scope in your research and analysis can help you maintain focus and avoid wasting energy on superfluous data.

    This week, Phil and Danielle take a look (and listen) to the latest Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting and discuss some key takeaways from one of value investing’s most important financial summits.

    If you’d like to evaluate your investing knowledge, discover areas for improvement, and enhance your investment strategies, click here for the Rule #1 Investing IQ Quiz: https://bit.ly/3Faf7ks

    Topics Discussed:

    2024 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting

    Market indices

    The importance of mentorship

    Investing in your interests

    Circle of competence


    Resources Discussed:

    The Intelligent Investor

    Moody’s Transportation Manual

    Value Line


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  • InvestED Episode #467: More Ulta Issues

    As investors the world over grapple with the rapidly changing financial landscape, where ETFs, meme stocks, and cryptocurrencies are all carving out their own space in a well-established ecosystem, how do value investors gauge the future of a business?

    While some might see these changes as a massive disruption to the market at large, there are others who, from a Buffett perspective, see the same cycle of boom/bust/reset playing out as it’s done so many times in the past.

    This week, Phil and Danielle continue from their jumping off point of the cosmetics industry to tell us why the difference between growth and value stocks isn’t nearly as significant as establishing the value of the business in order to plan for the future.

    For some great tips on what to do (and what not to do) when building your value investing portfolio, click here for your free copy of 10 Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Investing:  https://bit.ly/3XyEDbD

    Topics Discussed:

    P/E ratio

    Wall Street vs value investing future outlook

    Growth stocks

    Intrinsic value

    ETFs


    Resources Discussed:
    The Weather Matrix

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  • The digital age, with all of its monopolies and consolidation across various markets, has also seen a rise in innovation and small companies seeing success by having unprecedented access to consumers through new channels of commerce and communication.

    With market stability and consumer confidence taking hits in recent years, small luxuries like makeup continue to do well despite the struggles of luxury brands in general.  With the success of some niche brands in this highly competitive and specialized sector of cosmetics, what does the weather look like for some of the more established players in the makeup industry?

    This week, Phil and Danielle wrap up their discussion about the beauty industry and the way that boutique brands might affect the bottom line for the big names in cosmetic products.

    If you want a huge clue as to whether or not you’re looking into a business that will deliver predictably strong returns, don’t miss out on your free copy of The Big 5 Numbers Guide:  https://bit.ly/3psMESQ

    Topics Discussed:

    ETFs

    Augustinus Bader

    Victoria Beckham Beauty

    Ulta

    Sephora

    Kering

    LVMH

    D2C vs retail

    Cosmetic science


    Resources Discussed:
    Lisa Eldridge

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  • How important is investing to the economy at large? While companies don’t see a direct increase on their bottom line from the secondary market, it can be very important in helping to determine the value of a business and the drive interest in the primary market.

    For value investors, having a strong understanding of a business’s weather, i.e. their moat, competitive advantage, and other factors that determine their long-term success, is paramount to generating returns on a multi-year timeline. From the Rule #1 perspective, that’s the key difference between investing and simply gambling on the market.

    After a few weeks’ break on the subject, Phil and Danielle return with part 1 of an extra long 2-part episode breaking down the weather of the makeup industry giant Ulta, and share some of their insights into their own weather analysis of their history with this business. 

    For help identifying the durable advantage of a company you’re looking to invest in, click here for your free copy of The 5 Moats Investment Guide: https://bit.ly/3Kmb33J

    Topics Discussed:

    Primary market vs Secondary market

    CFO CEOs

    Ulta

    Augustinus Bader

    Victoria Beckham Beauty


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  • A crystal ball would be the ultimate tool for any investor, but given that we’re not living in a fantasy world, how do top investors prepare for an uncertain future?

    With the inevitability of market downturns, finding a balance between generating returns and being ready to strike when the iron is hot can be a tricky position to navigate.  Discovering that equilibrium, along with the patience to hold on through the ups and downs once you’ve bought into a great company, can be what makes or breaks a portfolio in the long run.

    On this week’s episode, the deep analysis of the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter continues as Phil and Danielle wring every ounce of wisdom from Buffett’s annual communiqué..

    For help with future-proofing your portfolio, click here for a free copy of The Ultimate Stock Market Crash Survival Guide:  https://bit.ly/3xNXFlf

    Topics Discussed:

    Munger’s influence on Buffett’s philosophy

    Investing in the information age

    Mutual funds vs ETFs

    Modern market volatility

    Forgoing returns to prepare for downturns


    Resources Discussed:

    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter

    Wilshire GDP ratio


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  • Here’s a scenario: you’ve identified a potential investment, you’ve gone through the checklist and done your research, and you decide that you’ve found a deal that other people seem to be overlooking.  You pull the trigger to buy into this company, and then the stock price begins to decline and you begin to wonder if you’ve made a mistake.

    Knowing the difference between having confidence in your investing process and being arrogant or blindly confident in a position can allow investors to act on proven strategy as opposed to being driven by fear and emotion.  Having a long-term outlook and a diligent methodology is the way for capable value investors to find the deals and realize the returns that many others in the market get wrong.

    This week, Phil and Danielle tackle another constant issue for investors as they dig into when, how, and why you should (or shouldn’t) stick with a purchase that doesn’t seem to be panning out the way you’d suspected.

    For help finding businesses that you feel confident investing in, click here for the “3 Circles” Exercise Guide:  https://bit.ly/3LOexg2

    Topics Discussed:

    Patience and discipline in value investing

    The dangers of hubris and confirmation bias

    Informed assumptions vs speculation


    Resources Discussed:
    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter (2013)

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  • Free cash flow can be a golden ticket in the hands of a company with the right leadership. They can use it to supercharge innovation, expand their reach, or reward shareholders with dividends or buybacks, and for value investors, it’s like spotting a diamond in the rough.

    After the growth and maintenance expenditures are accounted for, the way a company deploys its additional capital can signal the strength of management and the potential for future returns. As Buffett tells us in his recent letter, once you’ve got companies that check all of the boxes he’s looking for, this is the icing on the cake.

    Join Phil and Danielle as they continue their analysis of this year’s shareholder letter from Berkshire Hathaway, pulling out key takeaways that might’ve been overlooked by some readers.

    For help in crunching the numbers in your investment research process, click here to get your free Rule #1 Calculators for Investing Analysis: https://bit.ly/42dBHSn

    Topics Discussed:

    Individual values in investing

    Entrepreneurship

    See’s Candy

    Operating cash flow

    Growth/maintenance capital expenditure

    Rare companies


    Resources Discussed:
    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter

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  • As detailed in the most recent edition of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder letter, finding success in value investing doesn’t require fancy credentials, obsessive research, or exploitative scheming — it takes common sense and the willingness to keep yourself informed about your investments.

    In a world full of people rabidly vying for your attention in every imaginable arena, knowing how to focus that attention on what’s important while weeding out the noise of the pundits and snake oil salesmen is what separates successful investors from the rest of the pack.

    In this week’s show, Phil and Danielle get a bit more granular on the most recent Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter and discuss what separates Bertie Buffett from her competition.

    To get the inside scoop on more ways industry leaders mislead investors, click here for your free copy of The 3 Greatest Stock Market Myths Ever Told: https://bit.ly/45NycoE

    Topics Discussed:

    Flashy and half-baked or simple and flawless

    Simplifying the research process

    Snowboarding lessons for investing

    Typical CEO letters

    Punditry vs information


    Resources Discussed:
    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter

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  • “Character reveals itself in adversity” is a saying that can not only apply to the human race and how our true nature shines through when faced with a challenge, but also one that can apply in the business world. Although brand loyalty can be a common trope in 21st century consumer culture, how does that sentiment hold up when the rubber meets the road?

    In these times of inflation, shrinkflation, and other types of -ations that we’ve yet to ascribe catchy names to, some brands are seeing once-loyal customers jump ship and look for better value as prices rise. While some brand relationships can’t stand the test of time, perhaps we can look to the long-lasting friendship and business partnership of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger for inspiration.

    In this week’s episode, Phil and Danielle are back to talking from different continents (and dealing with the inherent technological mishaps of that setupt) as they discuss what constitutes a brand moat, and how strong that supposed moat can be in moments of economic instability.

    Think you know Warren Buffett as well as the people who’ve spent decades building Berkshire Hathaway with him? Take our Buffett quiz and find out for yourself: https://bit.ly/43qtOLz

    Topics Discussed:

    Jackson Hole, WY

    Heliskiing/snowboarding

    Unilever dumps Ben & Jerry’s

    Brand moats

    Buffett and Munger’s friendship


    Resources Discussed:

    Cambridge Long COVID study

    Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter


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