Insights on markets, emergent trends, history, innovation, risk management, global economics, strategy, policy, and other topics that catch our attention. Inspired by ongoing research, conversations and events. Written and edited by Osbon Capital Management and published every Thursday morning.
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Too much time is spent talking about price. Fundamentals are ultimately what drive equity prices higher over time. To say this another way, a company’s stock price can’t continue to rise unless it continues to be successful. The famous quote by Warren Buffett is, “In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run (...)
Demographics Are Fundamental To Investing
Andy Kessler wrote a great WSJ article on Monday about China and demographics, called “Old Age Will Put China To Rest”. It made me remember how excited we were at Morgan Stanley 35 years ago when we started to collect demographic data outside the United States. Today, in 2019, our access to demographic data has grown exponentially. It’s important we…
Atomic Habits for Investors
I read James Clear’s Atomic Habits last week. It got me thinking about how our performance as investors can be greatly affected by our habits — both our ability to adopt (and sustain) good ones and to break bad ones. Clear’s premise is very compelling; he suggests when we can get down to the atomic level in our thoughts and…
When You Are Acquired: The Three R’s To Consider
More than 200 Massachusetts companies have been acquired so far this year. Almost all were privately held. When you are acquired, it’s not just a life-changing liquidity event, it’s validation of your business model and a hard-earned reward for your ideas and long hours. In the big deal, you’ll receive cash, stock and/or incentives to continue working. Then what? Based…
The Go-To-Market Economy
What exactly is a go-to-market (GTM) company? A GTM company is intensely focused on creating new and innovative strategies to attract new customers. Rather than building new technology or new service models these companies don’t have to have the latest and greatest offering to attract new business. In order to be viable, they have to have a reasonable path to…
Considerations Before Every Buy and Sell Decision
It is easier to make money decisions when you depersonalize them. Think of your investments as a business with very clear profit and loss metrics. Practice the dispassionate discipline of looking at all stakeholders and considering all goals, timelines and risks. Now that it’s late October and just a few months before the close of the calendar year, let’s take…
Consensus Is Rare
It’s difficult to get a broad idea across in one headline. When it is done in the investment media, the bias almost always skews negative, mostly for dramatic effect. If all indicators were bad, everyone would want to sell and there would be no buyers. With positive consensus, on the other hand, there would be no sellers. A broad and…
Free Is Not Free
Schwab made the headlines last week when the company announced it was cutting its trading commissions to $0. While this may seem like a great deal and an obvious win for consumers, there is more to the story and cause to be dubious. Specifically, if Schwab earns nothing via buying and selling securities for its clients, then how does it…
A Sample Of One – Politics and Investing
For the second time in twenty years, talk of impeachment is in the air. Like last time, impeachment probably will happen, likely followed quickly by acquittal. The whole show could be over by the end of the year, according to the Speaker of the House. The markets have greeted this news with a giant yawn. Why isn’t impeachment more of…
Planning Steps for the Fourth Quarter of 2019
The fourth quarter of the investment year starts next week. This is a convenient time to either validate your progress to date or get back up to speed before the close of 2019. Taxes, trust and estates, life insurance, debt, expenses and cash management are worth taking a look into. Here are some steps to guide you to make sure…
