Articles
The Best and Worst Investment Decisions I’ve Made
I’m going to share stories about my best and worst investment decisions. But don’t worry, this isn’t just a brag-and-cringe session about making or losing money.
My father
For months after my mom’s death, I was terrified of losing my father. I had nightmares about it. That fear of losing my dad was seared into my brain.
Life takes a terrible turn
My mother and my father were born a year a part. Both of their birthdays are in May. I remember ...
Trump’s call for a bitcoin strategic reserve is a very bad idea
At the end of July, Donald Trump went full Bitcoin. He wants the US to become a “Bitcoin superpower”; he promised to build a Bitcoin strategic reserve.
Red October
I spent my youth in Murmansk, a city in the northwest part of Russia, located right above the Arctic Circle. Fans of Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October may remember Murmansk as the home base for the submarine Red October.
Unpacking Buffett’s Investment Philosophy: A Personal Perspective
How does our investment approach stack up against Warren Buffett’s? Answering this question gives me a chance to dissect Buffett’s famous investment principles and compare them to our own strategy.
The Eclectic Value Investor
How do I describe myself as an investor? This question provides an opportunity to delve into what I mean by being an “eclectic value investor with a slight touch of dogmatism.”
The AI Revolution
The discussion of AI quickly falls into a domain bordering on Sci-Fi. My thoughts here are only marginally shaped by scientific facts.
The EV Industry Landscape
As a part of a summer letter to IMA clients, I will discuss investments in the EV industry, spurred by the following question from a client.
Lessons from History’s Technology Booms
The technology at the core of the mania is different every time. What doesn't change over time is human emotion – the fear of missing out and then the fear of loss.
The Magnificent 7 and the Dangers of Market Hype
Despite the S&P 500 showing gains in the mid-teens, the average stock on the market is either up slightly or flat for the year.
Understanding Today’s Economic Landscape
Interest rates that stay low and actually keep declining for almost a quarter of a century slowly propagate deep into the fabric of the economy.
From Bull to Sideways Markets to Nvidia
I discussed my condensed views on the stock market, economy, and our investment strategy in a letter to IMA clients.
Traditions, Investment Conferences and Presentations
Investment conferences are the constants in my life. This year, we heard 24 presentations in three days at VALUEx Vail.
The Slippery Slope of Student Loan Forgiveness – Edition 2024
My daughter Hannah was just accepted to University of Denver. She might take out student loans. Why wouldn’t she?
30 Years in America – Edition 2024
On the 30th Anniversary of my family's arrival in the United States from Soviet Russia, I reflect on my time here. After recounting the hard early days in a new country when I was "fresh off the boat", I offer perspective on how America has changed since I arrived. What I see now is, in some ways, more troubling than what I found all those years ago as a new immigrant.
Rediscovering the Essence of the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting
When in the past I described my trip to the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting to others, I often found that I contradicted myself.
Dad, You Are Not Growing! (Embracing Vulnerability)
Dad, you are not growing. You’ve stopped learning new things. You used to have new, creative ideas. Lately you were just improving things that are familiar to you.
Hedging the Portfolio with Weapons of Mass Destruction
Uber's business is doing extremely well. It has reached escape velocity – the company's expenses have grown at a slow rate while its revenues are growing at 22% a year.
From Twinkies to Rolexes (IMA Client Dinner 2024 Video)
Once a year, we host what the IMA team gently calls “client appreciation week.” This week is very special to me, as I get to meet people who have entrusted their life savings to us.
Cable Stocks Keep Getting Punched in the Mouth
Despite weakness in cable stock prices, our thesis on Charter Communications (CHTR) and Comcast (CMCSA) has not really changed. We made a small, superficial change in the portfolio.
