Thursday, January 23, 2014

Book Review: Where are the Customer's Yachts?

It's been quite a while since I've been moved by a book like I was by this one. I was unable to fall asleep last night because the thoughts were so vibrant and alive in my brain. For a book published 74 years ago, much of the wisdom is very consistent to this day and I will exact quote the important points:

"God forbid! ho home and relax. Like most other Wall Streeters, bankers suffer from the inability to do nothing. Your average Wall Streeter, faced with nothing profitable to do, does nothing for only a brief time. Then, suddenly and hysterically, he does something which turns out to be extremely unprofitable. He is not a lazy man."

"As the man said after he had had the subject of relativity explained to him in a few unsuccinct phrases: 'And from this Mr. Einstein makes a living?'"

"When there is a stock-market boom, and everyone is scrambling for common stocks, take all your common stocks and sell them. Take the proceeds and buy conservative bonds. No doubt the stocks you sold will go higher. Pay no attention to this - just wait for the depression which will come sooner or later. When this depression - or panic - becomes a national catastrophe, sell out the bonds and buy back the stock. No doubt the stocks will go still lower. Again pay no attention. Wait for the next boom. Continue to repeat this operation as long as you live, and you'll have the pleasure of dying rich."

Three of the most profound insights to investing summarized very neatly and succinctly. Stop overthinking.

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