Mostly: Classical

[Sexton O Blake]

I have Zweigs book, but haven't re-read it in a while.
The one thing that sticks out from that book is his statistical discussion about holidays and days of the week. And of course that September is the worst month.

Speaking of books.. (great it was discussed)..
I was wondering if you have read, and what you have thought of The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. The new paperback is the Revised Edition with "Jason Zwieg" (No relation to Marty AFAIK).



http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?N=35&R=1267661&act=A03&Item=978006055566&Sect...

Business Week Aug 11; The Barker Portfolio
"The Intelligent Investor, first published in 1949 by the Moses of value investing, Benjamin Graham, went through five versions before his death in 1976. While stffl an invaluable exposition of such basics as the centrality of buying securities at prices low enough to ensure a "margin of safety"—a cushion to absorb mistakes—the final, 1972 revision suffers by relying on case studies that are too remote to resonate now. Happily, this vastly expanded new edition is full of fresh examples and commentaries applying Graham's principles to today's markets. This is the considerable work of financial journalist Jason Zweig of Money magazine.

At 623 pages, this duet is nearly twice as long as Graham's solo, with Zweig chiming in after each of Graham's original 20 chapters. For example, where Graham analyzes Penn Central, Ling-Temco-Vought, NVF, and AAA Enterprises, Zweig follows with sharp dissections of Lucent Technologies, Tyco International, AOL Time Wamer, and eToys. You won't confuse the two authors'
prose. "If a broker ever tries to sell you an individual mortgage bond or 'CMO' tell him you are late for an appointment with your proctologist," Zweig writes. Were Graham alive, he surely would have edited that out. But I'm quibbling. Zweig took on a daunting task and succeeded admirably.

"Enterprising investors," as Graham calls the few willing to put in the time and pencil work to uncover value in stocks, will find this book well rewarding."

Another I read which was interesting was Successful Stock Market Speculation" (A Speculator's Manual) by Ted Carter.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?N=35&R=1316581&act=A03&Item=978096952951&Sect...

The site above has a few people who have reviewed it. Basically a discussion on buying; selling; and money management wrt speculation stocks.

I should seriously read it again. One of my problems is getting out of stocks going down. I noticed you got out of CNI clear - I watched it meander down and although put a mental stop at 11.50 still didn't trigger until it went lower - I am out most of my position, but not happy with how I executed. Meanwhile I averaged in Reliant (RRI) between 3-4, sold most but not all at high 5s-mids 6s on the way down, and bought in again in the low 4's - never really buying or selling all at one price.

I spend too much time piddling with a "limit" price, and re-jiggle; re-jiggle. I have to start getting in and out at market when the goings good.