Investing 102

[GregWeld]

So here's a couple thoughts -- and remember that I'm really "exposing myself" personally here - but I can only use information and share that - from what I really KNOW... not what I heard from someone else tell someone else.


I was "reviewing" someones portfolio... at their request. Just a look and compare function.

They were in SONY (SNE).... Okay - great name right?! But the OWNER of the account only knew they were in Sony and that sounded great!

A quick check of the charts -- SNE is DOWN 64% over 10 years and DOWN 50+% over the last 5 years!

Compared to an investment in McDonalds (just to pick a favorite) that is UP 267%

So 100K invested in SONY is now worth 40K and the same 100K invested in McDonalds (at the same time - 10 years ago) is now worth almost 400K. (I'm not doing any math here - I'm just making quick comparisons).

Here's THE POINT.... his money is professionally managed -- so he never did ANY research for himself - nor did he even know WHY he was invested in what he was invested in! That my friends is total BS!! You going to buy a motor and not ask what's in it and how it was built and what kind of power it's making? One 454 could produce 300HP built for a truck - and another could be making 700HP... HUGE difference. Treat your investments the same way! Do just the minimum amount of research. You can check all this in Google Finance or Yahoo Finance - it's so dang easy just to look! It will pay off in the long run.