Stock Stories

Republic Services provides trash and recycling collection and transfer services.  They own landfills and recycling centers.  The waste management industry is vital to how we operate in modern society, but often goes unnoticed.  We all consume things, and there are by-products to what we consume that need to be processed and recycled.  Republic Services is one of the largest companies that does jus...

Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.  This mindset can help clarify our decision making and our interpretation of data.  Occam's Razor is a philosophical tool used in many fields to make our thinking processes more efficient and effective. --- Instagram, Twitter: @stockstories1 Regarding the reference about investor's expectations influencing a stock's price,...

Colgate-Palmolive - it's what you think about when you think about toothpaste.  In fact, its products are bought by over half of the world's households.  They've been around for almost a quarter of a millennium.  Though not fast growing, it is probably the most stable profit engine that I have studied.  With a dwindling share count, increasing dividends, and a strong international p...

Ross is the largest "off-price" department store in the United States.  They sell mostly women's clothing, but also clothes for men, shoes, home accents, etc.  Although they have been around in some form since 1950, their rapid phase of growth did not start until the late 80s.  Ross is a higher growth large business that has sales and profits that continue to increase in recessions....

Ford is one of the largest automakers in the world and is famous for its brands such as the Ford F-Series, Mustang, and many others.  It is the largest family owned business in the world and makes cars, trucks, and other vehicles.  Below are some notes from my analysis: Current share price in October 2018: around $9.20 per share Total shares outstanding as of 2Q 2018: 3,998,000,000 shares So total...

In many things in life, reversion to the mean is inevitable.  Sometimes it takes a lot of data for this to become clear.  But in investing and in life, it is important to be careful with our assumptions and make sure that we don't confuse correlation with causation.  Understanding regression to the mean will help us do this effectively. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Mental models = thought experiments.  We discuss what exactly a thought experiment is and cover a few examples to see how it can improve our thinking about the world around us. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

It's the world's largest telecommunications company.  From it's humble origins with Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, AT&T has proved its dominance even as technology has shifted from wired to wireless networks.  In this episode we explore: The origins of AT&T The 'Baby Bell' Break-Up Re-organization into one company Current Financials Future ou...

Molson Coors is the fifth largest brewer by market cap in the world.  They own popular brands like Miller, Coors, Molson Canadian, Blue Moon, and more. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Brown Forman is the largest American maker of spirits.  Their flagship brand, Jack Daniels, is the 15th best selling spirit in the world.  They also sell scotch, vodka, tequila, liqueur, and other whiskies. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

First Principles are the core ideas or facts that exist in the world that are irrefutable.  We can build on them in order to come up with more complex ideas. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Many things are random, but many things are not.  When it comes to investing in stocks, it pays to know the difference.  What are the cause and effects relationship in the market and what must be accept as truly random events? Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Charles Schwab is one of the largest asset managers and broker-dealers in the U.S.  I used to think that all they did was execute trades, but their business model is actually a lot more involved than that.  They're also a bank and an investment manager. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Today we look at another one of the U.S.'s largest asset managers, which has always operated from a philosophy of growth investing. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Franklin Resources is one of the largest asset managers in the country and boasts a very clean balance sheet and a strong record of delivering returns to shareholders.  Will the future be as great as the past for new investors? Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Let's look at one of the faster growing companies in the S&P 500.  Starbucks sells coffee, and is one of the largest coffee companies in the world. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Today we discuss a mental model that, well, talks about models! Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

It's one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.  From medical devices, to drugs, to Band-Aids and Tylenol, Johnson and Johnson is the premier healthcare conglomerate in the United States. Johnson and Johnson's quality of earnings is so high, I am willing to bet that they are a company that will actually be around and earning a profit 50 years from now.  I found their credo ins...

General Electric has had some major changes recently.  Let's discuss their impact for current and new investors. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Let's talk about the fourth of the big four payment providers - Mastercard.  We'll discuss similarities between MA and its main competitor, Visa (V), as well as the present and past valuations of this stock. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Today we'll discuss one of the most iconic candy company's out there - Hershey.  Did you know that Hershey now sells more than just chocolate and candies?  We discuss the history of Hershey, the basics of the business model, and the company's future prospects. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Our second mental model in the podcast is the circle of competence.  It is incredibly powerful if understood and applied.  How much do you know, and how much do you think you know?  Knowing the difference is key.  Today we discuss: What your circle of competence is How understanding the circle of competence can help you as an investor How failing to recognize your circle of competence can potentia...

The offspring of Altria, Phillip Morris International is one of the world's largest tobacco producers.  It was spun off in 2008 and is making headway in switching over from its traditional products to RRPs (reduced risk products), which heat tobacco but do not burn it. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Today we talk about America's largest tobacco company - over the decades it has been one of the most profitable stocks in the history of the U.S. stock market. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

What's one of the most influential media companies in the world?  It's beloved by millions, and the stories told through its business have been in the hearts and minds of many people for decades.  Today we discuss one of the most dominant entertainment companies in the world. Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com