Investing in Troubled Times

Author: Enterprising Investor Forum | Posted: 31-08-2007

The Enterprising Investor is always on the lookout for value and always ready to be greedy when others are fearful. Despite the fact that we feel that the current correction is far from being over, we encourage investors to make a shortlist of stocks which they would have loved to buy but just didn’t manage to do so at reasonable prices.

Once you have made this list, track these stocks and identify what price you would be comfortable paying for a share in the business: as a long-term investor, you main concern should be to buy shares at prices which you are comfortable with and not to time the bottom of the market. As Emerson said: “The great man is he who in the midst of the crowds keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”

For example:

* you may have been following Goldman Sachs (GS) and kicking yourself for not having bought some shares. This is a great company with extremely solid fundamentals and a money making machine with an impeccable track record and pedigree. Do you feel the correction that Mr. Market has applied to the whole financial sector is justified for Goldman who is now trading at a multiple of under 10?

* or had you been following USG Corporation (USG) only to see it spike after news of the big position Warren Buffett had taken in the company? Despite the fact that Berkshire reduced the stake, did you know that they were buying shares all the way down to 46 USD… they might still be buying….

The bottom line is, don’t panic, keep your thinking hats on and keep on doing your homework!