5 comments about Fire Your Stock Analyst!: Analyzing Stocks On Your Own.

1. How can one be completely confident in stock analysts who didn't see the current crisis coming? Now in an expanded and fully updated second edition, "Fire Your Stock Analyst! Analyzing Stocks On Your Own" is a guide for those who want to save money and have faith in themselves to make wise economic decisions. Harry Domash, a MSN Money investing columnist, comes to readers with wise advice on stock trading, stating that with a little research, anyone can play the stock market on their own, without an analyst leeching their dollars. "Fire Your Stock Analyst!" is a choice and very recommended pick for those who look for financial success in stocks.



2. How many people do you know who have their own stock analyst? Probably not many, but how many have stock brokers? A lot. That's why this book should be titled Fire Your Stock Broker. This book is about analyzing stocks based on the author's experience and conversations with top money managers.
   
   The author places a lot of emphasis on investors being able to do their own research. Too many people rely on Wall Street analysts. The author says:
   
   "You won't fare well following analysts' buy/sell advice, but their recommendations and forecasts give you information about the market's enthusiasm for any stock and can help you qualify stocks as viable value or growth candidates."
   
   This book is pretty long, and some may find it too difficult to read. It should not be read in one sitting. This is a reference book that can be used by investors while analyzing particular companies. I recommend it to investors who pick their own stocks.
   
   - Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market



3. the best book to anderstand the fundamental ANALYSIS
   soo soo easy to use



4. Once I picked the book up I could not put it down. The book is well organized and fairly easy to follow. All the Websites are fairly up-to-date (meaning if he says yahoo is a good source for this information, it still is). I do recommend making a list of the criteria he goes through and listing the websites as you do it, that way you don't have to go back and reread the entire book.



5. Domash has done it. This is the book that covers everything you need to know abaout analyzing a stock. And that is what makes the book "the best" book on stock investing. Many say that Graham's Intelligent Investor is the best, but I think it is not, since although valuable all it does is giving you a bunch of screening criteria at the end of the day. This is coming from a person who knows the CFA curriculum inside out!!
   
   The book covers many areas from equity valuation to detecting financial shenanigans, from Porter's five forces to technical analysis. Of course, all of these subjects can not be covered in detail in a 300 page book, but beginners will find most of these information quite interesting and valuable. Experts and professionals, on the other hand, will not find a new info on this book, but they will still benefit from the presented methods and the system on analyzing stocks.
   
   If I have to add few negative comments here they are:
   
   1- Domash stirictly differentiates between a "value stock" and a "growth stock". So a stock can't qualify to be both. I don't believe any stock investment can be so black and white.
   
   2- Target price forecast: I would like it if Domash also covered DCF valuation models like FCFE and FCFF. But then it would be necessary to explain the concepts such as equity risk premium, WACC, growth assumptions, terminal value. It would have added maybe 30 more pages. Links between balance sheet, income statement, book value, dividends so on.. is not explained. A beginner may find some lose ends reading the book.
   
   3- Forecasting sales and margins requires a little better research I think. By just looking at the trend, analyst forecasts and saying "I am assuming that the company will not grow in 2002 but it will resume its growth in 2003" is not very well justified. But the idea clear only you have to do a better research.
   
   4- I would also like to see financial models done on a spreadsheet for demonstration.
   
   This list could go on but then I would be unrealisticly expecting too much from a 300 page book. So I will stop here. Nontheless, I don't say this cliche often, and I say it now. This is a MUST READ for any non-pro individual who is interested in equity analysis.

5 comments about The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition).

1. A must read for any value investor. Finding companies that fit Graham's criteria will be nearly impossible in today's market, but still well worth the read.



2. Brothers and cousins and Uncles had often referred to Graham style of investing - as if it was expected that everyone had read and understood this book. I finally decided that maybe I ought to read it. And I am glad I bought the book to have!



3. I am a new investor and I think this is a great book to get started. Wonderful insight into the functioning of markets and investments.



4. I just finished Chapter 1. Anyhow, I like the book. It's like the author is talking to you honestly about his experience and thoughts. He does not overcomplicate things. He differentiates clearly the difference between investors and speculators. It made me realize that I was one of the speculators since I liked to watch stock quotes daily.



5. I had been reading this book since the same time I was initiating my investment life in stocks. With it i discovered some mistakes I had been doing then correct the course of my investments. It was enlightening to discover my behavior was playing against me and I should control myself in order to avoid more losses. Thanks to this book now I have proffits.

5 comments about Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money-That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!.

1. Books on your finances can only be so good...but this one makes a good point and they even mentioned it on Weeds (showtime series) so you know it must be worth reading!



2. Robert Kiyosaki writes in an engaging manner that is easy to read but wonderfully refreshing and sound. I wish I had understood this 40 years ago. I highly recommend it!



3. The power of this book lies in its simplicity.
   
   There are no difficult calculations or things only a financial advisor would understand. What you get is a new mindset, a new way to think about money and use it in such a way that it actually works for you.
   
   When you stop working for your money and let your money work for you, everything can change and that's what this book will help you with.



4. I thought the book was very enlightening and open my eyes to things i never even knew about...a must read for anyone, especially people with kids.



5. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" is a pointless personal finance book--it offers no practical advice on achieving great wealth. What author Robert Kiyosaki does offer is a series of rants on the status of the education system and his former investments as well as several get quick easy schemes that seem borderline illegal, shady at best. To those looking to improve their finances, I would not recommend this book--try finding one with more practical, real, and legal advice.

No comments about How To Win Friends and Influence People.

5 comments about Who Can You Trust With Your Money?: Get the Help You Need Now and Avoid Dishonest Advisors.

1. Anyone considering hiring a financial adviser should read this book. The author, an experienced financial planner and media personality, was deceived by her own husband,a dishonest financial planner who stole from his clients and family. The book offers essential advice about how you can avoid people like him.



2. I highly recommend this book for a practical, common sense approach to investing. The Introduction and first chapter are an amazing personal account of the authors experience as the ex-spouse of Brad Bleidt, convicted of a Ponzi Investment scheme. She details how scammers rob their clients through a detailed web of lies and deception. She then presents a chapter by chapter "workbook" of tips, advise, strategy and glossary of financial terms that is easy to read and even easier to apply to your investing "plan". As non-financial professional, I found it a great practical, easy read......and a "must" to have in your bookshelf for quick reference !!!



3. This is the best book I have seen on this subject. Easy to read, interesting, focused, and extremely useful. If you only read one book about how to protect yourself from dishonest money managers this is the one to get. The author's personal story is also interesting, but does not get in the way of dispensing invaluable advice and information.



4. Excellent book, covering both the danger of Bernie Madoff type scams and the complexity of financial management. The need for competent and honest support in managing your financial matters and how to look for and acquire it.



5. Talk about betrayal. Not to diminish the impact of a man philandering on his wife, but to lie and steal from your mother, from your family, from your friends, from your colleagues, from your clients -- and, yes, from your wife -- is betrayal of the highest order of magnitude. Really, who can you trust?
   
   Bonnie Kirchner tells us who when it regards our money in Who Can You Trust With Your Money?; an important, necessary, and timely book. Just as only Nixon could open relations with China, only Bonnie Kirchner could write this book. Kirchner is a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, was one of New England's leading TV personal finance reporters... and was a casualty of her ex-husband's (Brad Bleidt) notorious Ponzi scheme.
   
   On November 10, 2004, I was on top of the world. My husband and I were commemorating a major milestone for the radio station we worked so hard to build. Finally we were taking programming twenty four hours, seven days a week. I couldn't have been more satisfied with my career, despite the grueling hours and the toll it was taking on my personal life. The morning after the celebration, our company's receptionist came to my office door with a package. It had my husband's writing on it, and I think we both drew the conclusion that it was an attempt by Brad to be romantic. "Too little, too late" was what I was thinking. Our marriage had been deteriorating since its inception five years prior... I opened the package and found a small recording device with a sticker pointing to the play button, which said "Press here" on it, once again in Brad's handwriting. I hit play. "Hello, Bonnie, it's me. Straight to the chase here. Tragic, tragic news..."
   (From the book's Introduction.)
   
   So this guy Bleidt is the largest Ponzi schemer in history (that is, until Bernie Madoff strides into the picture), and he lacks the courage to tell the truth in person, resorting to taped messages so he can continue to hide under his rock. Or fester in jail.
   
   Bonnie Kirchner obviously is a quick study. She offers many tips on how to spot the red flags that could alert you to dishonest financial advisors:
   * Do a "broker check"
   * Check references
   * Ask the right questions about any disturbing regulatory or disciplinary history on the part of the advisor or his/her firm
   * Be wary of any discrepancies you discover or a lack of a desire on the potential advisor's part to provide you with requested information
   * Don't accept vague explanations when it comes to investment strategies to be employed for your money
   * Verify where your investments will be held and what insurance coverage exists
   * Uncover potential compensation arrangements and determine whether or not they are in line with your expectations
   * Assess whether the advisor is overly eager to accept your assets and if so, why?
   
   Successful investing often confounds investors; Kirchner offers to her readers, in plain English, the answers she found to the questions posed above, and many others; her guidance helps investors of all types, shapes, and sizes.
   
   The true beauty of Who Can You Trust With Your Money?, though, is that Kirchner does not stop with discerning fraud perpetrated by financial advisors, but delves deeply into the topics of wealth management and estate planning. Her book offers no Holy Grail of successful investing, nor how to uncover the next Google/GOOG; it ventures neither topic. Kirchner's subtle message is that successful money management requires effort, just as with successful relationships; no paved road to easy wealth exists.
   
   Not what you want to hear, I am sure. Diligence and effort present their own rewards, though. As with all good things in life, the journey trumps the destination; Bonnie Kirchner shines a guiding light to help you on your way. In doing so, Who Can You Trust With Your Money? earns my highest recommendation; a book that belongs in every investor's library as handy resource, if not read frequently for the many insights it contains.

5 comments about The Millionaire Next Door.

1. I'd recommend this book to someone who needs some motivation to be more frugal and less materialistic.



2. 
   250 pages of spend less than you earn and you will become rich.
   Every single concept in this book was obvious. If you are mentally capable of buying this book, then you already know all the ideas inside it.
   
   I was hoping for real interviews with people who had become successful in life.
   The author seemed to have access to so many people and yet basically asked do you spend less than you earn.
   
   This book was a total waste of time.



3. A great read for anyone who wants to be independent in thought, attitude, and finances. It is book that teaches action and self awareness as well making you define your idea of "wealthy". This book shows hows so many Americans are hell bent in keeping up with the "Jones'" only to find out the "Jones'" are fools and you've just wasted your life in the pursuit of trivial possessions.



4. Although written in the late nineties, I recently reread this little gem and found many of its insights still relevant. Among them, that affluent people are more likely to drive your everyday sedan than an exotic sports car. That accumulating wealth is more likely the result of frugality, planning, and discipline than the result of a high income stream or prestigious occupation. That the wealthy are just as protective and foolish over their children as the rest of us. And, that being the child of wealthy parents is more likely to harm your ability to accumulate wealth than is being the child of immigrants.
   
   Of the insights above, the importance of frugality and planning is the most persuasive and enduring to this reader's mind. Less persuasive are the many tables of figures so clumsily put together and coupled with pedestrian predictions like "the SUV is becoming increasingly favored by wealthy Americans." No doubt over a decade of hindsight has made some of these predictions seem trite. The larger narrative, though, is still fresh, compelling, and worthy of application. Doing so may not make you a millionaire, but it will place you on a more solid financial footing.



5. This book is must read for those who want to be a millionaire. I am 21 years old in college. I know this is a book generally for people who are over 30. But seriously if you're looking to read books to expand your financial literacy and get a better understanding how millionaires become millionaires. This is it. In the beginning it gets really slow because of all the research data they did.. But in the middle of the book, i laughed out loud reading this because this book was saying true stuff and i learned some of the important things of what it takes to become a millionaire.. Not only it talks about money.. It talks about the discipline, desire and what it takes to become a millionaire.. I give it a 4.

5 comments about Jim Cramer's Getting Back to Even.

1. Another great Jim Cramer book. He does a great job helping non-Wall Street pros understand what's going on and help us take care of our investments.



2. As a regular viewer of Mad Money, I found the book to be useful although sometimes repetetive from the show. However, the additional detail, and the chapters on options trading make this book very worthwhile to own. If you are going to make the most from watching Mad Money, I recommend reading this and Real Money as primers.



3. they sent old book of cramers not one intended. got my money back and sent them the wrong book.



4. Since I usually find myself buying puts on the stocks that Jim Cramer reccomends and have occassionally made large sums on it (Inuitive Surgical anyone, the I in his CANDIES made me 20,000 thousand dollars when it collapsed from 350 to 308 dollars, and I had puts for 330) I can't really reccomend his show. But, nonetheless, doing your homework, studying the stocks, and giving Jim Cramer a listen can be interesting and helpful. His books were the first thing I read because he was the only personality I knew about that had to do with the stock market, and I learned a lot of stuff.
   
   This book has a lot of good information that can probably help you get back to even and even start to get ahead, but I don't feel the book completely stands alone, I feel that without having read Watch T.V and Get Rich, Stay Mad, and Real Money, I wouldn't have gotten as much out of the book as I did, and wouldn't have felt so good about it. That is why I don't know how to feel about this book.
   
   I'm not sure if it stands on its own. Reading through many of the reviews, I wonder how many people have gone through all of his other books. But that's really my only concern.
   
   This book is full of information, including some picks to look at. The information he gives you is solid, including a good strategy of buying deep in the money calls. Options are the often overlooked strategy of the investor, but can be a great aide for the individual to speculate with a little money, or to hedge a bet against volatility.
   
   Jim Cramer brings all his usual energy into this book and comes up with a streatgy that can realistically help you get back to even and get ahead in this new environment of chaotic confusion. This book is a refreshing, realistic calm--Cramer Calm--approach that can help people start organizing their portfolios and start getting back what they lost.
   
   Because of that, I reccomend the book wholeheartedly, especially for people who are already familiar with Jim Cramer's books.



5. I learned a lot of information that I will use. I wish he had used more charts but he explained things in a very understandable way.
   
   I bought it mainly for the 2 options chapters. That alone was worth the price of the book.

5 comments about A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Revised and Updated).

1. Written ostensibly for the individual investor, A Random Walk Down Wall Street is Burton Makliel's treatise on investing. Beginning with a rather interesting historical account of bubble markets, Malkiel proceeds to poke holes in the techniques and very profession of technical and fundamental analysts. His approach is well constructed and argued--compelling me to rethink my position on efficient-market theory. However, he paints a bleak and cynical picture of the investment profession that is outdated considering the current level of regulation and nascent generation of CFA and other certified professionals. The first half of the book is entertaining and intellectually stimulating, but the pace slackens in the second half, which often reads like a drab textbook on financial planning. That said, there are investing tips sprinkled throughout that make the laborious task of reading these sections worthwhile.



2. The book suggest you should invest index instead of others. The author give a lot of Selective cases to show index fund outperform many fund or stock. Here are two important thing the author avoid to answer.
   1. When is best time to invest index. If you invest index on 1964, then you sell it on 1981. you almost get zero return for over 17 years.
   2. How long you should hold index investment. all samples seems about 30 to 40 years. If you have the patient for 30 years hold, you are already a winner.
   
   Also as another reviewer said, he put a very limited info about someone like buffet invest return.
   
   I hate the author hide so many important info which may against his theory. I dont believe he donot know.
   
   Leave this book alone, all information provided by this book are selected and only for support the author's theory.
   
   I do not know why so many people talk about it is a classic book and give five star.



3. I'm an investment industry professional and was looking for a book to give to my college-age daughter who is interested in learning about investments. This was the first book that came to mind, and while I was at it, I bought a copy for myself, since I hadn't read the book in about 15 years.
   
   It continues to be a classic. Well-written, with a nice combination of practical advice and a very accessible explanantion of the key theories.
   
   A must-have in any investment library.



4. The book was in better condition than stated in the Amazon ad
   The book was very well packaged against damage in transit
   The book arrived much earlier than expected.
   
   All in all, I am delighted
   
   Dal Burns



5. This book is an extensive and complete review of the investing sector, with a particular focus on equities. If you are trying to read one book only on this subject, this is probably the book that I would recommend. If you are quite familiar with this subject, you may not find as much depth as you hope but this book would serve as a historical reference. I particularly recommend reading the sections relating to the formation of bubbles and the subsequent collapses throughout the decade. The author clearly demonstrates how this is an inherent phenomena in the investing world, as we have recently experienced, and shows us ways to better understand and deal with these situations. I also liked the discussion about technical vs fundamental analysis of equities, when each should be used and how to harness the power of each. Finally, although the author does take a side on some of the topics he discusses, he does a great job of objectively presenting the different view points which is key for any reference material. A recommended primer!

5 comments about The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing, 2010 Edition.

1. Having come from a software development background, I began reading the book to spark my interest in financial investments. I didnt really know what to expect. After reading this book, I am now able to keep up with stock tickers and stock analysts on MSNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Business. I can read WSJ and Google Finance charts without feeling like I am reading another language. I've decided to highlight my favorite parts of the book:
   
   Speak the Language of Stocks:
   This chapter alone was the best. For someone without any background in stock markets, this chapter alone is the holy grail of the book. It tells you what stocks are, where they come from, briefly how to evaluate them, and distinguishing growth/value. Like i said before, if you have no clue what stocks are, this chapter will be the most important in the book and the author does a great job explaining it.
   
   How History Tells Us to Invest:
   Being a very technical person, I found the analysis in this chapter very interesting. The author advocates the importance of P/S ratios over the popular P/E ratio. He also goes over the criteria for valuing growth stocks vs value stocks and how using both strategies can maximize returns.
   
   The book's investment strategy is also very simple. The author supplies an abundance of research options for fundemental and technical specs you need to rank stocks. He also supplies worksheets, which can be printed from his website.
   
   For the beginner, this book is a great intro to the market. Give it a try!



2. Jasons books are very easy to read. Unlike some of the investing books, he actually breaks it down so anybody can understand how to interpret the stock market and individual stocks. He shows you how the pros do it, and then shows you different strategies that you can use to easily make money in the stock market. If you are a beginner or even a Stock broker yourself, read this book! Its such an easy read that I have read it three times and I learn something new everytime. I am also reading Intelligent Investor(not an easy read at all), and I use Jasons book as a reference when I am not sure what other books are trying to say.



3. I am new to investing and was looking for a book that would explain all the acronyms and other things I've never heard about and needed to know and give strategy advice that would work for a newcomer. This book did all of that brilliantly!



4. This was the first book I read on investing, and I'm glad it was. There are other equally valuable investing books out there, but none as clear and readable as The Neatest Guide. Kelly breaks down the seemingly complex world of Wall Street into layman's terms like no one I've ever seen. I'm convinced that if I had read any other book before this one, I'd have given up on the idea of investing, because I'd still be so confused. But because I read The Neatest Guide first, I was able to take the most important action in the life of any investor -- getting started.



5. I found Jason Kelly's 2010 Edition of The Neatest Little Guide To Stock Market Investing to be an excellent guide to investing in stocks. The background chapters were practically oriented with very interesting perspectives from well known investment masters. Lots of advice on orders, broker selection, measurements, research publications tools and agencies. Also Jason discusses approaches to screening and building a portfolio. I recommend this book as a valuable guide for investing in equities.

5 comments about One Up On Wall Street : How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money In The Market.

1. This is for sure the only stock market guide you'll ever need. Everything about this book is great! from the order of how everything was said, to the comedy in his words, and just the way he explained everything. It was very well done! This book goes in my top 3 best stock investing books. (The others are "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, and "Common stocks and Uncommon profits" by Phillip Fischer)
   
   Wishing you much success in your investments!!



2. This book was recommended to me by a friend as an introduction to fundamental analysis. I found it to be a fun read (Peter has a good sense of humor) and also very informational. The principles explained in the book are all very useful to anyone looking to invest or trade. I strongly recommend it.



3. This is a short book, but long on advice even, and especially, after the financial meltdown. It took me about 40 - 45 minutes to go through the book, but I'll read it again tomorrow and maybe again next week allowing the content to set in.
   
   The book is a fun read and gives novices, such as myself, some basic fundamentals and concepts before we rush in (again) to lose our money (again) while the big boys rake all the profits (again) in the casino we all know as the stock market. There is no specific advice in this book other than to spend as much time researching a stock as you would buying a new refrigerator; however I found the general concepts interesting and informative.
   
   But reader beware, even though the book is short Lynch does get the point across that choosing your own stocks is and making money is a combination of perspiration and luck. I've made the mistake of rushing in to buy a certain stock that was "hot", sometimes it worked out but mostly I lost money.



4. Okay, so you want to get started in the stock market, don't you? Maybe you need to remember that it is possible to still "value a business" and not just feel like after twenty years of good honest, intense "trials and tribulations" we are still getting screwed?
   
   Remember Lunch but don't jump in the game now if you don't know why I'm grounding myself in writing and reading and a wonderful weekend somewhere in America.
   
   Anyhow, I hope to speak with Paul Coffey the next time I'm town. I've been formulating a really compelling way of viewing the Bill of Rights and would be interested in what he thinks.



5. This book offers general concepts more so than specific technique. If you are looking for a book about the creature called "fundamental analysis," you may find the last half of this book interesting. However, if you want specific, practical advice you will be disappointed in the vagueness of the author. The only detailed bullets occur in chapters 15 and 17--all of 20 pages long, and even there the bullets are really just key points about indicators (things to watch for). How to calculate, how to interpret the value of, and where to find the indicators is left to the reader. Even, with his several page long description of price-to-earnings ratio (pp165-173), he ultimately advises, "Once again, your broker may be your best source for p/e analysis." (p. 170)
   
   20/20 hindsight seems to be his emphasis throughout. He offers many, many just imagine if... anecdotes--both supporting and refuting his advice. As a result, contractions invade throughout. For example, he calls "Whisper Stocks" a bad investment (pp 157-159). Okay. Then he regretted missing Cisco in 1990 when they were just a start-up. Why? Because looking back, he could have make $480 for every $1 invested (Intro). But wait, it was a "whisper stock" in 1990. He is against "diworsefication" (p 153), unless the stock price goes up afterwards (pp 154-157). Then he laments buying into an IPO with solid fundamentals and a smart business plan. Why? The expansion failed and he lost money (pp 180-182). Since most of the book is about finding young companies early (Street Lag, p 57) with solid fundamentals (ch 8-15) and taking a chance that they will grow maybe 10-fold (ch 6), his lament is lost on me.
   
   There are some saving graces to this book. The author does a decent job defending the importance of researching and understanding what a company does before investing. Frankly, there are better books out there about investing for beginners and experts alike. The financial advice industry has evolved over the past twenty years, and this million seller just doesn't stack up. I would recommend instead reading any Suzie Orman, Phil Town's "Rule #1," Bartiromo's "Use The News," or anything about Warren Buffet.