Ryan Barnes

Portfolio Update: Raising Tech, St. Jude Stakes

Hi Larry, thanks for the comments. I totally understand where you're coming from re: "skin in the game". I would contend that ALL investing is an academic exercise, whether we've got our own dollars on the line, our clients, or somewhere in between. But that's just semantics I suppose.

My #1 goal is to have absolutely no conflicts of interest when I write about investing in specific companies. Meanwhile, every stock pick I make and the management of the Secular Trends Portfolio is all out there, naked as a newborn baby. My reputation, whatever value it holds, is on the line. I guess I feel that journalistic integrity is more important at this moment in history than promoting the stocks I do own. It just feels like the right thing to do.

If I do correctly what I've set out to do, the stocks I've selected will be just as solid an investment 3-5 years from now as today. If and when I buy them all up for myself or clients in exactly the same ratios as in the model, I will do so proudly & with all parties involved knowing exactly where I stand, my philosophy, and my strategies. Of course, the public window would have to close at that point, for the same reasons of preserving the integrity of my clients.

Hope that clears things up. I wish you the best of luck in your investing efforts.