Summary SPGI is the largest of the 10 statistical rating organizations recognized by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The company has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years and is now focused exclusively on the high-growth, high-margin businesses—Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, S&P Dow Jones Indices, S&P Capital IQ and Platts. SPGI’s [...]
February was certainly an interesting month! The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.3% and only 4 of its members posted positive returns. Inflation fears were also stoked with Jerome Powell hinting there would be more aggressive movement on monetary policy. The TSX in Canada fared slightly better with only a 3.2% slide in February. Investors [...]
On February 25, 2018 I posted an article in which I touched upon Warren Buffett’s 2017 Letter to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders. In that article I provided a link to the letter and do so again here for ease of reference. In his letter, Buffett specifically addressed the risks associated with employing the use of debt [...]
On Saturday morning, February 24, 2018, Warren Buffett’s much anticipated 2017 Letter to Shareholders was released; Buffett’s Shareholder Letters dating back to 1977 can be accessed here. By the time I compose this post (the afternoon of February 25, 2018) I have already read his letter three times; I will undoubtedly read it several more [...]
Due to my extreme reluctance to publicly disclose all our holdings it has dawned on me that it is quite possible readers will look at the FFJ Portfolio and will think ‘Ho Hum!’. Fair enough. In an effort to address the perception some readers may have, I have put together the following snapshot of screen [...]
In a recent interview with Nick McCullum from Sure Dividend I share the investing and personal finance strategies I used to retire in my mid-50s from a career in Canadian banking. Subject matter in this podcast includes: how I got my start in the world of equity investing; thoughts on mutual funds, ETFs, and other [...]
You can either use the 'Rifle' or the 'Shotgun' approach to investing in equities. Personally, I prefer the 'Rifle' approach where I focus on investing in a limited number of high quality companies. Continue Reading....
Historically I have provided only a snapshot of the FFJ Portfolio as at the most recent month end. Starting with the month of January 2018 I will provide a snapshot of the most recent two months. I am hoping that by doing this I will provide a bit more color as to what I am [...]
Summary Fastenal reported Q4 and FY2017 results on January 17, 2017 reflecting double-digit sales and pre-tax earnings growth for the year. This is a very shareholder friendly company. FAST is aggressively growing its Onsite business in an effort to reduce rent related expenses. I intend to acquire FAST shares but am being cautious given current [...]
This article is a cautionary tale of what can happen when you turn over full discretion to a ‘Financial Advisor’ and you pay minimal attention to what is going on. Continue reading...
