The degree of irrational exuberance we are witnessing suggests many investors are focusing on the 'hype' and are paying little heed to reality. The 'fear of missing out' is what is likely driving many investors to 'invest' in companies or instruments which they do not fully understand. The valuation of many companies with no proven [...]
At The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s (GS) January 29, 2020 Investor Day, senior management laid out the company's strategic roadmap and goals. Management indicated that GS was entering an era of transformation and opportunity which required a new operating approach. Four areas of focus (Transaction Banking, Third Party Alternatives, Digital Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management) [...]
On November 30, 2020 S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) and IHS Markit (INFO) announced they would be merging in an all‐stock transaction valuing INFO at $44B including $4.8B of net debt. The share price of SPGI has pulled back ~20% from its 52 week high thereby making the acquisition of additional SPGI shares in anticipation of [...]
Shares in Visa Inc. (V), my largest holding, are held in a retirement account for which I do not disclose details; I have been a shareholder almost from the date the company went public in March 2008. I have now initiated a position in V within a non-registered investment account held by a young investor. [...]
The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.to) has generated investment returns over the last several years which have lagged the other 4 of the Big 5 Canadian banks. This is partially attributed to the bank having exited 23 countries and 7 - 8 businesses within the past several months that were deemed non-strategic. The restructuring is [...]
As a long-term investor seeking to invest in undervalued / fairly valued companies, the current market environment has significantly reduced the number of investment opportunities. This is a market of stocks and not a stock market, however, so there are some companies which do appeal to me. Companies in the oil and gas sector have [...]
In recent articles I have indicated that I like Warren Buffett's 'punch card' analogy when it comes to investing which favors investing in a relatively small number of high quality companies as opposed 'throwing mud against the wall' which involves investing in a large number of companies. I prefer to limit the number of companies [...]
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM-a.TO) and institutional partners recently announced their proposal to acquire 100% of the units of Brookfield Property Partners L.P. (BPY-UN.TO) not owned by Brookfield for $5.9B. I want to increase my exposure to the BAM group of companies. Since I am of the opinion the real estate aspect of BAM's business [...]
In previous articles I have indicated that I am helping our daughter and her boyfriend (both in their early 20s) create investment portfolios that will aid them in achieving financial freedom at a relatively young age. Our daughter already has exposure to Alimentation Couche-Tard and Brookfield Asset Management. I envision both companies will be far [...]
This is my December 2020 FFJ Portfolio report. The portfolio was created in January 2017 for the purpose of demonstrating how investing in high quality companies with competitive advantages and with a record of consistently increasing dividends can assist investors in reaching their long-term financial goals without the need to speculate or to chase dividend [...]
