Synopses & Reviews
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings by Philip A. Fisher Hailed by Forbes magazine as "one of the seminal figures of modern investment thinking," and a "giant" by investment wizard Warren Buffett, Philip Fisher is one of the most influential investors of all time. Admired for his investment success, he is even more widely respected for his sound investment philosophiesphilosophies that have withstood the test of almost forty years and that are regarded as gospel by the investors of today. These principles and theories were introduced by Fisher in Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits. Initially published in 1958, it is today considered an invaluable reference for investment success. Now, for the first time, a new, single edition brings this timeless classic together with the investment wisdom and insight offered in Fishers other acclaimed writingsConservative Investors Sleep Well and Developing an Investment Philosophy. As the first to consider a stocks worth in terms of potential growth rather than price trends and absolute value, Fisher laid the foundation for many of todays popular investment beliefs. His principles of selecting long-term growth stocks for their emerging value over short-term trades for initial profit continue to be studied and applied by todays top finance professionals. In Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, Fisher shares his philosophy, offering valuable insights into the most fundamental and important aspects of buying and selling stock. Here are solid guidelines on when and what to buy, sound reasons for selling common stock, as well as critical information on profit margins and dividends. There is also Fishers famous list of Top-Ten "Donts" for investors, complete with warnings against buying into promotional companies, over-stressing diversification, following the crowd, and buying stock just for the "tone" of its annual report. As an ideal complement to Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, Conservative Investors Sleep Well and Developing an Investment Philosophy explore, respectively, the myriad intricacies of conservative investments and the genesis of Fishers unique philosophy. Both selections offer further insight into the wisdom of this great investor. As indispensable today as when they were first published, these classic writings provide keys to investment success which every investor will relish.
Review
"...written by American Investment genius.... We are delighted to have the opportunity to reproduce an extract from this classic, recently reissued..." (
Financial Director, November 2003)
"...these updated classics are packed with investment wisdom..." (What Investment, November 2003)
Synopsis
"You will find lots of jewels in these pages that may do as much for you as they have for me."-from the Introduction by Kenneth L. Fisher Forbes columnist
Widely respected and admired, Philip Fisher is among the most influential investors of all time. His investment philosophies, introduced almost forty years ago, are not only studied and applied by today's finance professionals, but are also regarded by many as gospel. He recorded these philosophies in Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, a book considered invaluable reading when it was first published in 1958, and a must-read today.
Acclaim for Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
"I sought out Phil Fisher after reading his Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits...When I met him, I was impressed by the man as by his ideas. A thorough understanding of the business, obtained by using Phil's techniques...enables one to make intelligent investment commitments."-Warren Buffett
"Little known to the public, rarely interviewed and accepting few clients, Philip Fisher is nevertheless read and studied by most thoughtful investment professionals . . . everyone will profit from pondering-as Warren Buffett has done-the investment principles Fisher espouses."-James W. Michaels Editor, Forbes
"My own copy [of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits] has underlinings and marginal thoughts throughout."-John Train Author of Dance of the Money Bees
About the Author
Philip A. Fisher began his career as a securities analyst in 1928 and founded Fisher & Company, an investment counseling business, in 1931. He is known as one of the pioneers of modern investment theory.
Kenneth L. Fisher writes the "Portfolio Strategy" column for Forbes magazine and serves as Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Fisher Investments, Inc., a firm that manages financial assets for institutions and high-net-worth individuals around the world.
Table of Contents
Preface: What I Learned from My Father’s Writings (Kenneth L. Fisher).
Introduction (Kenneth L. Fisher).
PART ONE: COMMON STOCKS AND UNCOMMON PROFITS.
Preface.
1. Clues from the Past.
2. What “Scuttlebutt” Can Do.
3. What to Buy:The Fifteen Points to Look for in a Common Stock.
4. What to Buy: Applying This to Your Own Needs.
5. When to Buy.
6. When to Sell: And When Not To.
7. The Hullabaloo about Dividends.
8. Five Don’ts for Investors.
9. Five More Don’ts for Investors.
10. How I Go about Finding a Growth Stock.
11. Summary and Conclusion.
PART TWO: CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS SLEEP WELL.
Epigraph.
Introduction.
1. The First Dimension of a Conservative Investment.
2. The Second Dimension.
3. The Third Dimension.
4. The Fourth Dimension.
5. More about the Fourth Dimension.
6. Still More about the Fourth Dimension.
PART THREE: DEVELOPING AN INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY.
Dedication to Frank E. Block.
1. Origins of a Philosophy.
The Birth of Interest.
Formative Experiences.
First Lessons in the School of Experience.
Building the Basics.
The Great Bear Market.
A Chance to Do My Thing.
From Disaster, Opportunity Springs.
A Foundation Is Formed.
2. Learning from Experience.
Food Machinery as an Investment Opportunity.
Zigging and Zagging.
Contrary, but Correct.
Patience and Performance.
To Every Rule,There Are Exceptions . . . But Not Many.
An Experiment with Market Timing.
Reaching for Price, Foregoing Opportunity.
3. The Philosophy Matures.
E Pluribus Unum.
History versus Opportunity.
Lessons from the Vintage Years.
Do Few Things Well.
Stay or Sell in Anticipation of Possible Market Downturns?
In and Out May Be Out of the Money.
The Long Shadow of Dividends.
4. Is the Market Efficient?
The Fallacy of the Efficient Market.
The Raychem Corporation.
Raychem, Dashed Expectations, and the Crash.
Raychem and the Efficient Market.
Conclusion.
Appendix: Key Factors in Evaluating Promising Firms.
Functional Factors.
People Factors.
Business Characteristics.
Index.