I would not like to end the year with a negative post, but I will. :) This is not aimed at anyone specifically and it is a rant, so skip it if you don't want to get depressed. ;)
I must say that I find the value of this thread diminishing. I still like it and other threads in SI for investment ideas. However, I find it - and other threads, to be fair - not very useful for discussions on specific companies as investments. In most cases if someone posts a stock, there are either no replies or off-the-cuff response with issues that can be found by reading five news articles on Yahoo + company press releases. IMHO these do not add much to discussion. I don't see anyone doing in-depth analysis of any company. I understand when Paul does not do it - he owns everything and a kitchen sink, so he just cannot investigate some company down to details, but I don't see anyone else doing it either. I am guilty of this too - my first answer to Paul about GOOG is another example of dismissing the stock without a lot of additional insight. Of course, then Paul dismisses me without saying much either and we both go on our merry ways not much wiser... ;)
I also understand that we all are using different valuation principles, so it would be hard to reach consensus. Still it would be interesting, at least for me.
Lack of discussion about specific companies IMHO diminishes the utility of the thread. I find myself not posting new buys and ideas, since I am pretty sure that I won't get any answers that would delve into them. I don't think I remember an in-depth analysis of any pick recently, but maybe I just forget.
It is also possible that most of the people on the thread are Grahamites, who pretty much buy on valuation and do not spend hours or days on learning everything that is possible about the company like Buffett would.
Anyway, good luck with your investments in 2009! Happy New Year! :) |
