Investing in the stock market can seem intimidating, especially for beginners. However, with a structured approach and a commitment to learning, anyone can start investing and build wealth over time. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started with a buy-and-hold strategy, a popular and effective…
Understanding the Importance of Free Cash Flow in Stock Investing
When it comes to stock investing, understanding financial metrics is crucial for making informed decisions. One such metric that often gets overlooked by novice investors is Free Cash Flow (FCF). Free Cash Flow is a key indicator of a company’s financial health and its ability to generate cash after accounting…
Portfolio Update May 2024
A lot has happened since I last posted. It has been much longer than I anticipated. My life became busy: I was promoted at my job, my employer went out of business, I had to start over with a new company, a global illness came and went, and I went…
Stock Splits
I often wonder if stock splits are really that good for an investor. I have posed this question to many experts with varying opinions. Some feel that a stock split encourages growth and shows the health of a particular company, while others say it has little to no effect at all. Both…
Google (GOOG) Dilemma
My background is in the tech sector and for a number of years I have been looking at Google and kicking myself for not having purchased any stock when it first came on the market. I strongly believe that Google is here to stay and that they offer the best…
Year End Review
2014 is here and I wanted to share with everyone how I did with my stocks for last year. I have been researching the stock market for a couple of years now and only started to invest in the market on August 27th 2013. Please keep in mind that these…
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays from My Stock Secrets! During the holidays do not ignore your stocks. This time of year there are some great investment opportunities available if you are watching. Coming January 2nd, you should see the markets jump up and down as people adjust their portfolios for 2014. If you…
Rule of 72 – How Long to Double Your Money
Doubling your original investment is a common goal for investors, and understanding how long it will take to achieve this can help determine the effectiveness of your portfolio. The Rule of 72 is a simple tool that can help you quickly estimate the time required to double your money without…
Price to Earnings Ratio – P/E
The standard definition of ‘Price-Earnings Ratio – P/E Ratio’ is the valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings. The P/E ratio is calculated as: Market Value per Share/Earnings per Share (EPS) For example, if a stock is currently trading at $50 a share and earnings over…
Understanding Dividends: A Key to Stable and Profitable Investing
What are Dividends? Dividends are a critical concept in the investment world, often representing a significant portion of an investor’s return, especially in well-established companies. Here’s a deeper dive into what dividends are, how they work, and why they matter. Understanding Dividends The literal definition of a dividend is a…