Welcome to the Investing for Beginners podcast. In today's show, we welcome:

·      How do ESPP plans work, and what kinds of returns can you expect from those types of employee stock purchase plans.
·      How to avoid dividend traps
·      A quick look at Cigna's financials and exploring why their dividends have increased
·      Alternatives to hedging against the market using leveraged ETFs in a bear market
 
Today's show is sponsored by:

My First Million Podcast
iTrust Capital

For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com
 
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IFB228: How to Avoid Dividend Traps + ESPP Plans

We make the complicated stock market simple. We show you how to take advantage of the emotions in the market with lessons from successful strategies such as value investing and dividend growth investing, with a few elements of growth investing and trend following.

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Hello and welcome to The Investing for Beginners Podcast, episode 342. Today, we'll dive deep into the nuanced world of REITs, as hosts Andrew and Dave shed light on the benefits, challenges, and strategies for investing in this unique asset class. Are you looking to enhance your portfolio's dividend potential, or maybe you're trying to understand the complexities of funds from operations? We've got you covered.
A hot topic in this episode is the impact of interest rates, the ongoing work-from-home movement, and the weighty influence of political scenarios on your investment strategy. With elections around the corner, we’ll explore whether it’s prudent to adjust your financial sails or stay the course.
We also answer Cheryl's pressing question about the logic behind dedicating a portion of your portfolio to REITs, diving into the sage advice of Benjamin Graham on diversification. Plus, we provide a word of caution to those looking to pinpoint that perfect REIT ETF or stock.
Additionally, Jeff, a listener approaching retirement, seeks advice on optimizing his investment options, including a 401k and a Walmart stock plan. We’ll break down the merits of maximizing employer matches and the advantages of Roth IRAs as part of a retirement strategy.
We’re not just looking at the macro picture; we also dissect the psychology of managing stock positions. Hear from Andrew as he compares holding onto successful stocks with keeping a star basketball player on your team.

And for individual investors, we discuss the compelling advantages you hold over the big financial institutions, highlighting real-life success stories to fuel your investment journey.
00:00 Maximize 401k, consider rebalancing, evaluate investment options.
03:08 Managing Wells Fargo stock in 401K.
06:33 Invest in index funds for success and relaxation.
13:07 Invest in smaller companies for big returns.
16:23 Political power doesn't impact stock market returns.
19:16 Wait and see before making decisions.
22:35 Subscribe to value spotlight for full context.
24:58 REITs offer great dividends, but face challenges.
29:31 Evaluate selling shares, consider investment returns, forecast future.
32:01 I'm wary of losing life savings. Sell = sad lie.

For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com 
Find great investments at Value Spotlight
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
 DCF Demystified Link
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IFB342: Benefits of Individual Investing - Compounding, Lower Fees, and Long-term Perspectives

Welcome to the latest episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast! In this episode, Dave and Andrew dive deep into the concept of dollar cost averaging (DCA) and timing the stock market. They discuss the benefits of DCA, its role in establishing good investing habits, and the challenges of timing the market. They explore how emotions and various investor agendas impact stock prices, the importance of a long-term mindset, and offer practical advice for setting up DCA and avoiding the temptation to time the market. Tune in for insightful and practical tips that can help you navigate the complexities of investing and improve your investment strategies.
00:00 Dollar cost averaging establishes investing habit.
03:52 Invest when comfortable, invest now, uncertain future.
07:05 Maximize 401K match, then prioritize personal retirement.
12:04 Markets unpredictable, expect both drops and jumps.
13:44 Market complexities impact personal and company fortunes.
16:42 Investing in the market has various strategies.
19:55 "Long-term mindset, dollar cost averaging key."
22:50 "Monthly dollar cost averaging for investing simplicity."
For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com 
Find great investments at Value Spotlight
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
 DCF Demystified Link
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Back to Basics: The Power of Dollar Cost Averaging

Welcome to another episode of The Investing For Beginners Podcast! I'm your host, Dave, joined by my co-host, Andrew. Today, in Episode 341, we dive into the chaotic world of the stock market and demystify how it often diverges from actual business performance. We bring back the story of Mr. Market, our quintessential persona that symbolizes the daily highs and lows on Wall Street, and how these swings don't always reflect a company's long-term value.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of an investor's mindset that prioritizes a deep understanding of a business's fundamentals over reacting to market noises. To illustrate this, we share a compelling case study of Ajin, a company we held onto despite a worrying drop in stock price because we understood its strong underlying fundamentals and growth potential in the ever-evolving payments industry.
We'll also tackle some of your burning questions about starting to invest later in life, like Gino, who's 45 and beginning from scratch. Don't worry, we've got practical steps for everyone, regardless of how much you can start with or how late in the game you are.

As always, we encourage all our listeners to reach out via Shopify, Twitter, or email with your questions, and remember to check out episodes 43-47 if you're new to the market.
00:00 Investing is about long-term growth, not speculation.
06:24 Set budget, develop saving habit, open account.
08:55 Learning to handle volatility is crucial for growth.
12:17 Evaluating stocks versus ETFs for easier decision.
14:25 Stock investing: focus on long-term execution.
17:48 Stock performance tied to company fundamentals over time.
21:18 Cycle of hiring to spur company growth.
26:01 Long way to go for simplified payments.
28:44 Thank you for questions, send more. 
Today's show is sponsored by:
Go to monarchmoney.com/BEGINNERS for an extended 30 day free trial!
For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com 
Find great investments at Value Spotlight
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
 DCF Demystified Link
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IFB341: Navigating Stock Market Volatility - A Guide for Beginners

Andrew: Hello, everyone, and welcome to The Investing For Beginners Podcast. I'm your co-host Andrew, joined by Dave.
Dave: Hi there, investors! Today's episode, Portfolio.wav, is jam-packed with investing essential—diversification.
Andrew: We're discussing the delicate art of portfolio balance, starting with just a couple of solid picks, and the dangers of putting all your eggs in one basket.
Dave: That's right. We'll share personal tales, including my own brush with over-concentration and lessons on not succumbing to investment FOMO.
Andrew: Plus, we're thrilled to announce a weekly series focusing on the basics of stock investing. It's going to be an incredible journey!
Dave: Tune in as we break down strategic diversification, the timing of portfolio expansion, and finding reassurance in your investment choices.
Andrew: So, if you want to build a resilient portfolio tailored to your goals, you're in the right place.
Dave: Let's get started and remember, always invest with a margin of safety.
00:00 Podcast: Basics of portfolio construction and diversification.
05:37 Diversified portfolio improves financial sector performance.
06:46 401K advice: diversify and fish where fruitful.
12:57 Focus on winners, limit diversification for growth.
15:21 Overcoming FOMO, emphasizing selective portfolio diversification.
18:46 Missed opportunities, learning from investment mistakes.
23:05 Most people limit investment at 20%.
24:24 Limit Berkshire Hathaway investment to 25-30%.
27:05 Start with best companies, expand strategically.
30:09 Promoting safety. Have a great week! Goodbye.
For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com 
Find great investments at Value Spotlight
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
 DCF Demystified Link
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Back to Basics: Concentration vs Diversification -  Crafting Your Investment Strategy

Welcome back to The Investing For Beginners Podcast, I'm your host Dave, joined by Andrew, and you're listening to episode 340. Today, we're diving into the critical concept of pricing power and its role in defining a company's moat, especially in heavyweight players like Nvidia and Tesla. As we wade into the debate on whether pricing power is essential for a competitive advantage, we'll also uncover how to spot it in businesses, taking cues from giants like Coca-Cola, Costco, and Apple.

But it's not just about the big names; we'll examine companies that may lack this power, including Lululemon and Airbnb, and why industry giants like Uber and Lyft face challenges due to low barriers to entry. How does pricing power tie into long-term investment success? We explore this, especially in the context of a high-inflation environment.

Later, we pivot to a listener question about the merits of investing in index funds, like Fxaix, versus the peculiarities of the pharma industry with examples like Pfizer. And if you're wrestling with the idea of choosing between dividends or dynamic companies for your portfolio, our discussion on ETFs and traditional index funds is a must-listen.

So, whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, join us as we break down these complex topics and offer insights to help you invest with a margin of safety.

Remember to send in your questions for future episodes to newsletter@investingforbeginners.com, and until next week, here's to smart investing and wishing you all a great week ahead!
00:00 Diversify with index funds, explore personal interests.
05:39 Understanding pharma industry dynamics, patents, and risk.
07:55 Patent expiration affects pharmaceutical company's future prospects.
11:05 P. Morgan book: jargon, banking, personal interests.
14:42 ETFs can vary due to holdings, rebalancing strategies.
17:35 S&P 500 returns higher than ETF's yield.
22:16 Consider higher dividend yield from respected investors.
24:10 Invest in ETFs and index funds for success.
30:14 Limited resources like bitcoin, high demand.
33:05 Costco's competitive advantage leads to pricing power.
35:34 Pricing power drives long-term revenue growth.
38:34 Agreement on examples, show wrap-up, call for questions.
Today's show is sponsored by:
Go to monarchmoney.com/BEGINNERS for an extended 30 day free trial!
﻿Compare and find smarter credit cards, savings accounts, and more today at NerdWallet.com. 
For more insight like this into investing and stock selection for beginners, visit stockmarketpdf.com 
Find great investments at Value Spotlight
Have questions? Send them to newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com
 DCF Demystified Link
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IFB228: How to Avoid Dividend Traps + ESPP Plans

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