How to identify Ponzi schemes is a skill every investor should develop—especially those who embrace the long-term, buy-and-hold philosophy. Fraudulent investment schemes not only destroy wealth but erode trust in financial systems. While most readers of My Stock Secret focus on building wealth patiently by owning great businesses, even the…
Category: Stock Market
Hidden Risks of Over-Diversification of Your Portfolio
Diversification Is Protection Against Ignorance Warren Buffett famously said, “Diversification is protection against ignorance.” This quote, often repeated in investing circles, sounds provocative—especially to beginners told that diversification is a cornerstone of safety. But what exactly does the Oracle of Omaha mean by this? And how should it guide your…
Quarterly Filings: What You Need to Know
Why You Should Read a Company’s Quarterly Filings Quarterly filings are one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools available to investors seeking long-term success in the stock market. These documents—specifically the SEC Form 10-Q—offer a detailed, unfiltered look into a company’s operational health, financial performance, and forward-looking strategies. In…
How Much Diversification Does Your Portfolio Need?
Why Diversification Matters for Long-Term Investors Diversification for buy-and-hold investors is a cornerstone of risk management. Whether you’re just starting out or have built a substantial portfolio, understanding how much diversification is enough—and not too much—is essential to growing and protecting your wealth over the long run. At its core,…
Why Berkshire Hathaway Belongs in a Long-Term Portfolio
Berkshire Hathaway isn’t just a stock—it’s a symbol of disciplined, long-term wealth creation. Built over nearly six decades by legendary investor Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway has become the gold standard for buy-and-hold investing, attracting both novice investors and seasoned professionals who admire its performance, stability, and philosophy. But Berkshire’s journey…
Learn to Evaluate Dividend Stocks for Better Investing
Learning how to evaluate dividend stocks is essential for long-term investors who want to build reliable income and grow wealth with high-quality companies. Dividends not only provide passive cash flow, but also offer important clues about a company’s financial health, discipline, and commitment to shareholders. However, simply chasing high yields…
How to Beat Market Bubbles Without Selling Everything
Understanding Market Bubbles is Essential for Investors Knowing how to beat market bubbles without selling everything is one of the most important skills a long-term investor can develop. Bubbles can shake your confidence, trigger fear-driven decisions, and disrupt your wealth-building plan—but that doesn’t mean you need to dump your portfolio…
Market Risk Survival: How to Protect Your Investments Now
Market risk is an unavoidable part of investing in the stock market. It’s the type of risk that affects nearly all securities at once, often triggered by events that are beyond any one investor’s control—economic recessions, inflation spikes, political turmoil, and global crises. For the long-term, buy-and-hold investor, understanding market…
Microsoft Stock vs IBM: Which Is Better for Long-Term Investors
Microsoft vs IBM is one of the clearest examples in recent history of how two tech giants responded differently to industry disruption—and how that shaped their long-term value. Over the past decade, Microsoft embraced the cloud, transformed its business model, and delivered massive returns to long-term shareholders. IBM, meanwhile, struggled…
How to Profit from Industry Disruption Safely
Industry disruption is more than a buzzword—it’s a powerful force that reshapes entire sectors, destroys outdated business models, and gives rise to innovative companies. For long-term, buy-and-hold investors, understanding industry disruption isn’t just about spotting the next big thing—it’s about identifying which changes lead to sustainable, durable growth. In this…