Author Archives: Alan

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Retail crowd’s favorite REITs: disappointment likely to continue

REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are an asset class that is typically followed and bought by investors with a focus on cash flows in the form of dividends. One of the main arguments is that this way they don’t have to bother about stock price fluctuations, as their dividend income is safe. Sounds logical, but the long-term performance of three highly celebrated such REITs is simply weak. The worst thing, I am expecting this trend to continue or even to worsen.

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Halozyme Therapeutics – an overlooked bargain? + new stock idea

Feeling uncomfortable with everybody’s darling stocks, my motivation was and still is to find stock ideas with what I call “an own life”. With that I am looking for companies with internal triggers or catalysts which can influence shares positively (almost) regardless of what broader markets do. While I do not believe (for now) in a hefty stock market crash which pushes down all equities, I cannot rule out a nosebleed correction in the tech sector. In search of uncorrelated stock ideas, I spent some time on the Pharma / biotech sector. Halozyme Therapeutics is a seemingly lowly-valued stock. My Premium PLUS members have already received my latest potential-multi-bagger stock idea in an exclusive research report to kick off the year 2025.

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Berkshire Hathaway – an inferior stock pick now

Risking to be accused of blasphemy with this Weekly by one or the other Buffett-fan, nonetheless I decided to have a look at the stock of Berkshire Hathaway. Warren Buffett’s investment holding has achieved a tremendous performance and beaten the markets by a wide margin since its inception. However, this was not the case in the younger past. Growth constraints are one reason. But there are quite a few other aspects that do not make this conglomerate appear to be the ultimate must-own stock.

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Warm-up for 2025 – better expect the unexpected

Despite having done a combined review-and-outlook Weekly already, I decided to write another one with the focus solely on the outlook for 2025. Over the last weeks, I have gathered new ideas, but also brought my thoughts in order during the days that I took off. There are a few other things I wanted to share. What could the next investing year have in store for us?

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Stocks of Dollar Stores – now finally a buy?

This Weekly is an update taking a second look at North American “dollar store” operators Dollar General and Dollarama. After almost exactly to the day two years ago, I featured both names in an analysis concluding that I have sympathies for the businesses as such, but not for their stocks. Something quite interesting has happened since: one stock totally cratered, the other advanced by another 75%. The development could not have been more different! What do both have in store now?

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Swiss Re – next reinsurer to make a new high?

Most stocks of the world’s biggest reinsurance companies have made new all-time highs, surpassing their decades-long tops. One rare exception is the world’s number two, Swiss Re. With the painful zero interest rate period being over and despite what it looks like another rate lowering cycle, the business is benefiting in two ways: higher insurance premiums as well as higher yields on investments. Is an all-time high for the stock only a question of time?

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Drill Baby, drill + new research report “Trump Trade 2.0”

One of the expectations for the second term of president-elect Donald Trump is that “dirty” energy will see a huge revival due to pushing back the strict ESG policies of the current administration. Less wind and solar and back to more oil, gas and coal, maybe with nuclear mixed in. However, despite the perception being that Trump is good for oil and gas producers, the above would be exactly the opposite as more supply means lower energy prices. Will we see aggressive drilling and lower energy prices or shall we prepare for something entirely different? All my members receive my latest stock idea, my second “Trump Trade” which should be a big beneficiary either way.

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How to deal with mistakes to avoid negative compounding

One of the hardest disciplines in investing is how to handle unrealized losses. These positions not only tie up capital that could be invested elsewhere, but they also can paralyze an investor. In its worst shape and form, this condition leads the focus on distractions, not on what’s generating the performance for the portfolio. This is a topic every investor should from time to time think about in order to improve personal investment skills and to avoid being drawn into a negative spiral.

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Nvidia joined the Dow Jones – a bad omen?

Joining the famous Dow Jones Industrial Average is a prestigious honor. The 30 constituents are the crown jewels of what America offers in stock investments. While not all of the biggest companies are part of the Dow for different reasons, it is safe to say that from an international, outside perspective the Dow is seen as the trophy-collection, containing most of the key blue chips. Recently, Nvidia joined this group. While it could be understood as the final proof of Nvidia’s quality and undisputed standing, historically speaking, this is a clear red flash – a warning that the party could be over soon.

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