Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip A Fisher | Full Audiobook

Updated: November 19, 2024

Investing Breakdown


Summary

The video delves into the reasons behind purchasing common stocks, exploring the historical context of stock market successes from the 19th to 20th centuries. It emphasizes the importance of researching companies, assessing profit trends, evaluating management practices, and understanding industry dynamics to make informed investment decisions. The speaker discusses strategies for identifying growth stocks, the significance of timing in investments, and the need for meticulous stock selection and thorough research to navigate the complexities of the stock market successfully.


Clues from the Past

Discusses the various reasons people decide to buy common stocks and the history of stock market fortunes in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Investment Opportunities in the Past

Explore past investment opportunities and how to identify companies that could have yielded substantial profits over time.

Corporate Management Changes

Examines the shift in corporate management practices towards efficiency, innovation, and long-term planning.

Research and Development in Companies

Discusses the importance of research and development efforts in companies to drive growth and profitability.

Sales Organization and Marketing

Emphasizes the significance of a strong sales organization and effective marketing strategies for business success.

Profit Margin Analysis

Focuses on evaluating a company's profit margin trends and strategies to maintain or enhance profitability over time.

Labor and Personnel Relations

Highlights the impact of labor and personnel relations on company productivity and profitability.

Executive Relations and Management Depth

Examines the importance of good executive relations and the depth of management talent within a company.

Cost Analysis and Accounting Controls

Discusses the necessity of accurate cost analysis and accounting controls for effective management and long-term success.

Introduction to Cost Data

Discussing the importance of accurate cost data for investors and the limitations in evaluating companies based on cost data.

Accounting Controls and Cost Analysis

Highlighting the significance of expert accounting controls and cost analysis for companies' performance evaluation by investors.

Industry-specific Clues for Investors

Exploring unique aspects of industries that provide valuable clues to investors on a company's performance relative to competitors.

Insurance Costs and Management Quality

Examining the impact of insurance costs on earnings and how management excellence in handling insurance reflects overall management quality.

Patents and Competitive Advantage

Discussing the benefits of strong patent positions in blocking competition and providing exclusive rights for innovation.

Short and Long-term Profit Outlook

Differentiating companies with short-term profit focus from those with long-term profit objectives and the implications for investors.

Switching Funds into New Opportunities

Discussing the considerations an investor should make when thinking about moving funds from one investment to another based on growth prospects and market peaks.

Qualification for Holding Stocks

Exploring the criteria for determining whether a stock should be held or sold based on expected growth and business cycle peaks.

Opportunities for Investment

Discussing the rare circumstances under which an investor might consider selling a stock to invest in a seemingly better opportunity, emphasizing the need for clear evidence and careful consideration.

Switching Investments for Better Prospects

Highlighting the decision-making process involved when considering switching investments into opportunities with better growth prospects, emphasizing the potential benefits and risks.

Long-Term Investment Satisfaction

Explaining why a stock held for a long period can bring significant financial satisfaction to investors and why the potential gains outweigh the challenges of capital gains taxes.

Cautions Against Hasty Selling

Warning against hastily selling common stocks and switching based on market predictions, highlighting the risks of misjudgment and missing out on potential gains.

Overpricing Concerns

Discussing the argument of stocks being overpriced and the considerations investors should make before deciding to sell based on perceived valuation.

Don't Bet Against the Market

Urging investors not to bet against the market or sell outstanding stocks based on market decline predictions, emphasizing the risk and unpredictability of market movements.

Importance of Company Growth

Emphasizing the significance of company growth prospects and why selling stocks solely based on price movements may lead to missed opportunities.

Dividends Misconceptions

Addressing common misconceptions and half-truths about dividends, emphasizing the importance of understanding dividends' true impact on investments.

Impact of Dividend Actions

Exploring the implications of dividend actions by companies and how they are perceived by investors, highlighting the complexities and varying interpretations of dividend policies.

Investment Don'ts

Providing five key investment 'Don'ts' for investors, covering diverse topics such as diversification, stock prices, and the influence of market perceptions on investment decisions.

Investing Strategy and Risk Management

Discusses the strategy of buying stocks at a certain date rather than a certain price, emphasizing the importance of timing and market dynamics in stock purchases.

Value and Growth Stock Investing

Explores the concept of value in stock purchases and the potential for future growth, highlighting the importance of recognizing psychological factors in stock price movements.

Market Influences and Psychological Factors

Examines various influences on stock prices, including net income changes, inventions, interest rates, and psychological trends, underscoring the impact of market perceptions and fads on stock prices.

Management Evaluation and Investment Timing

Focuses on evaluating management teams and the significance of timing in investment decisions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing changing market conditions and efficient management.

Finding Growth Stocks Methodology

Describes a systematic approach to finding growth stocks, stressing the importance of thorough research, scuttlebutt work, and evaluation of management before making investment decisions.

Investment Preparation and Scuttlebutt Work

Emphasizes the significance of preparation, scuttlebutt work, and background research before approaching company management for investment opportunities, highlighting the role of networking and information gathering in decision-making.

Approaching Company Management

Discusses the importance of gathering sufficient knowledge before meeting with company management, emphasizing the value of scuttlebutt work and thorough research in evaluating management and investment potential.

Selecting Growth Stocks and Management Evaluation

Highlights the importance of meticulous stock selection, management evaluation, and thorough research in identifying growth stocks, underlining the need for proper due diligence and judgment in investment decisions.

Risk and Reward in Growth Stock Investing

Analyzes the risks and rewards of growth stock investing, emphasizing the need for diligent effort, judgment, and vision in selecting successful investments, and cautions against hasty decisions in the stock market.

Conclusion and Investment Principles

Summarizes key investment principles, including the significance of modern corporate management, scientific advancements, and the importance of patience and discipline in successful stock investing, concluding with a reflection on market dynamics and the art of investment.


FAQ

Q: What are some reasons people decide to buy common stocks?

A: People buy common stocks for various reasons, such as potential profits over time, investment opportunities, and the desire to participate in the stock market.

Q: Why is research and development important for driving growth and profitability in companies?

A: Research and development efforts in companies are crucial for driving growth and profitability as they lead to innovation, improved products or services, and a competitive edge in the market.

Q: What is the significance of good executive relations and strong management talent within a company?

A: Good executive relations and strong management talent are crucial for effective decision-making, organizational efficiency, and long-term success in a company.

Q: How do industry-specific clues help investors assess a company's performance relative to competitors?

A: Industry-specific clues provide investors with valuable insights into a company's performance compared to competitors, helping them make more informed investment decisions.

Q: Why is it important for investors to consider moving funds based on growth prospects and market peaks?

A: Investors should consider moving funds based on growth prospects and market peaks to maximize investment returns and adapt to changing market conditions.

Q: What are some key considerations when deciding whether to hold or sell a stock?

A: When deciding whether to hold or sell a stock, investors should consider factors such as expected growth, business cycle peaks, and the company's performance relative to the market.

Q: Why is it cautioned against hastily selling common stocks based on market predictions?

A: Hastily selling common stocks based on market predictions can be risky as it may lead to missed opportunities and potential losses due to the unpredictability of market movements.

Q: What are some common 'Don'ts' for investors regarding investments?

A: Some common 'Don'ts' for investors include avoiding over-reliance on diversification, being swayed by short-term stock prices, and letting market perceptions heavily influence investment decisions.

Q: What factors should investors consider when buying stocks?

A: Investors should consider factors such as timing, market dynamics, value in stock purchases, psychological factors in stock movements, and the influences of net income changes, inventions, and interest rates on stock prices.

Q: Why is preparation and thorough research important before approaching company management for investment opportunities?

A: Preparation and thorough research are essential before approaching company management for investment opportunities as they help investors assess the company's potential, management quality, and growth prospects.

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