Stock Stories

Choose one thing, and you can't choose something else.  Say no to one thing in order to say yes to another.  This is the essence of opportunity cost, and it is a central idea in behavioral economics. In this episode we take a look at what opportunity cost means from a holistic perspective as well as what this concept means for investors. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespo...

With over 7,000 properties spread throughout the world, Marriott has become one of the biggest and most recognizable lodging brands out there.  They have 30 different brands, each with their own distinct feel.  Let's look at where Marriott came from and how we can understand this business from an investor's perspective. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Ema...

Macerich is one of the larger pure-play mall REITs in America, and they have several dozen properties scattered across the country.  Though they have a good history of paying generous payouts to shareholders, is their very existence in trouble because of COVID-19 and the general trend of e-commerce? Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.co...

The modern mall has existed for only a century or so, but gathering places of commerce have existed for millenia.  Simon Property Group has a large portfolio of quality commercial real estate spread throughout America and in countries around the world. Say hi on Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email me: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

If you live in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, or Virginia, there is a good chance that you pay your electric or gas bill to Southern Company.  As the second largest utility in the U.S., they serve well over 8.5 million customers. Connect with me via Instagram or email: Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Flight or Flight is a powerful biological response to the way that we, and animals, respond to perceived threats.  Either we're attacking something or we're running away from it.  In this episode we cover how we can apply this mental model to our investing practice. Instagram: @stockstoryteller alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

With the largest fleet size in the world, American Airlines is one the few large "legacy" airlines.  Although they suffered a big bankruptcy and merger with U.S. Airways as a result of the 2008 recession, they managed to survive.  We discuss the present troubles due to COVID-19 and what shareholders could see next. Send me a message on Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email me: alex@stocksto...

Mattel is most known for Barbie, Hot Wheels, and American Girl, which are iconic toy brands it has made over the years.  They also own the card game UNO and make various toys and games licensed from hit kid's movies. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

As one of the largest toy and game company's Hasbro makes classics like Monopoly, Jenga, and Twister.  They also brands such as Transformers and My Little Pony, and license Disney's intellectual property to make toys and games (ex. Frozen or Star Wars).  Even with Hasbro's storied history, can they continue to successfully create new brands in the era of digital gaming? Instagram: @...

Bottlenecks are limiting factors in our process - if we don't figure them out our results are limited no matter what else we do.  Like many mental models, this can apply to a variety of situations, including how we manage our investment portfolios. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Understanding what our political leaders are buying and selling for their own portfolios is important for transparency within any country's political and economic system.  Alignment of interests is key.  Today's episode is an interview with investor and entrepreneur Marvin Barron, co-founder of FinePrint , a startup focused on tracking political stocks. Over discussion covers a variety o...

Episode Summary LiveNation provides concert venues around the world, bringing iconic musicians and artists to the stage.  They manage concert venues, tours for artists, and are even involved in sports management and film production.  They also generate revenue through Ticketmaster, the digital ticketing service. Connect with Stock Stories! Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodca...

Fasteners are small, seemingly insignificant items that have a big impact on our everyday lives.  They're everywhere - in furniture, cars, houses, planes, and the equipment used to make all of the things that we buy.  Fastenal provides not only fasteners but sells safety products, cutting tools, and many other items as well.  They seem to have a great company culture. @stockstoryteller (Insta...

Today, we tackle a listener question about Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs).  What are they, how do they work, and when we use them to our advantage as investors? Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

The largest food distributor in the U.S., Sysco provides both basic foods and ready to eat meals to restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and universities.  By becoming a large middleman in the industry, they are able to source foods from around the world to help create various menu options. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast....

Tractor Supply is a rural lifestyle retailer - the largest in the US.  Their niche is as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and people in rural communities. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Leverage is a powerful tool, and how one can effectively multiply their efforts.  "Give me a long enough lever, and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I will move the world" exclaimed Archimedes.  There are many forms of leverage, including: Financial (debt) Time Technology Communications/Relationships Knowledge Here is a link to Todd Tresidder's site, the Financial Mentor . DM me...

Famous for their agricultural and industrial equipment, Deere & Co. has produced products for farmers and industrial customers for almost two centuries.  They continue to play an important role in the economy today with farm, forestry, and construction equipment. History (03:02) Business Overview (14:55) Financials (18:58) Closing Thoughts (23:55) Say hi on Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email:...

CAT is one of the world's largest industrial companies and produces large machines that help build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, and more. History (00:03) Business Overview (00:15) Financials (00:23) Valuation and Closing Thoughts (00:30) DM me on Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Copart is one of the nations largest auto re-sellers, and it's growing fast.  Copart operates in a small niche of the market and essentially facilitates the recycling of cars and their parts buy matching buyers and sellers from across the world.  They were the first auto re-seller to use a completely online auction model back in their early days in the 1990s. Send me a DM on Instagram: @stock...

The largest food company in the world, Nestlé is based in Switzerland and owns brands that span many categories, from ice cream to coffee to water to pet food. What they lack in growth they make up for in earnings quality and stability.  As a massive consumer staples company that sells in virtually every country on the planet, they're not going anywhere anytime soon.  In my opinion, they are...

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to leave something out - whether that's identifying a critical risk, not considering all reasonable possibilities, or missing an amazing opportunity.  Investing well relies not just on our ability to take the right actions, but to consider what actions we shouldn't take as well.  You and I don't have to get all of our investing decisions ri...

Tootsie Roll Industries is the company behind a lot of well-known candy brands - things like Junior Mints, Dots Gumdrops, and of course, the Tootsie Roll.  Though new product developments are rare, the company does well what it has for a century - make tasty candy treats. Instagram: @stockstoryteller alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

BP is another one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, and is based in the U.K.  Founded over a century ago, they have operations in dozens of countries around the world. Instagram: @stockstoryteller Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Times are hard right now.  The coronavirus has officially spread around the globe, and people everywhere are adjusting their lives as a result.  The financial markets have taken a big hit.  Here are the six things I'm thinking about as an investor during this time: 1. Nothing matters in investing if you cannot remain solvent during times of crisis 2. Have general business and investing knowle...