pbanik

I have a business and computers background. I have a degree in Marketing and General Business, as well as a certificate as a Computer Systems Administrator. I'm interested in investing, not only for retirement, but as a way to achieve financial independence possibly, and also maybe someday wealth.

I'm always looking to learn about investing, whether it is securities, real estate, forex and/or commodities, but my prime focus now is securities. I think forex and commodities are more complex methods of investing compared to buying stocks. The learning curve is steeper to have success in those financial markets in my opinion. Real estate is very capital intensive, not only in terms of buying the property, but ...More also with maintenance and upkeep.

My investing style leans more towards value than growth, because I think over time, value will eventually win, and also I believe for most investors, this is a more appropriate strategy, but I'm always on the lookout for growth stocks at value prices. I don't believe frequent trading. My philosophy is not to buy unless you find an outstanding company at an outstanding price, and not to sell unless the fundamentals deteriorate or the stock becomes overvalued. Diversification is only an appropriate strategy if you're diversifying with quality, not quantity. My influences include Warren Buffett, Philip Fisher, Benjamin Graham, and Peter Lynch, but I have my own style to some degree. I feel it's better to keep your money earning a return while waiting for the right investment, instead of jumping in. In my case it is a dividend fund.

AV isn't the deal some might have you believe. It's trading at a low multiple in terms of P/B & P/S but it is trading at over 50 times P/E. Aug 3, 2012