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HARRY SHAH's avatar

Well said, Todd. Great advice.

Today’s markets seem to be running on euphoria and FOMO, ignoring fundamentals so often, let alone integrity.

Any thoughts on how you’re applying your time-tested filters in an environment with so much noise? Is the goal simply to stay patient and be wrong a lot until the good folks eventually get proven right?

Todd Wenning's avatar

Thanks, Harry. I think an investor needs to keep doing scuttlebutt research and talking with as many competitors, former/current employees, management, suppliers, etc. as possible to triangulate information and develop insights. Even Buffett has made mistakes sizing up character, though he probably has the best batting average of anyone in the game. So the goal shouldn't be 100% accuracy, but keeping our eyes and ears open for things that just don't look, sound, or feel right.

BoiseCFA's avatar

Spot-on reflections by Buffett; years of experience boiled down to a few paragraphs of thoughtfulness.

I would add to your section on corporate governance to keep an eye on which companies are included in a company's peer group; all too often they are constructed to include only US companies--and their significantly higher compensation packages--and exclude international peers, despite often being closer competitors than those chosen.

Show me the incentives...'s avatar

Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks