Our thoughts on the markets, what we hold, what we’ve done right (or wrong) so far, what we think of the prospects for long-term, value-oriented investments … and anything else that comes to mind.
Letter to Shareholders, January 2012
In this month's letter, Portfolio Manager Bill Mann embraces a quality that many people find to be negative, and not only defends it, but actually praises it!
After a recent visit to Ethiopia, Portfolio Manager Bill Mann shares some personal thoughts about the importance of caring about your charitable giving.
Question Authority, January 2012
China, risk, and the Delta Blues.
Tim Hanson writes an open letter to the powers-that-be at Yahoo!
Letter to Shareholders, December 2011
There's a dirty little secret about mutual fund turnover. Those lists of best- and worst-performing funds that you see being released each December and January rarely take it into account, and that may be costing you dearly.
Question Authority, December 2011
Performance, commodities, and what the team does all day when they're not trading.
Senior portfolio analysts Tony Arsta and Don Krueger hit Hong Kong to get an inside look into what’s next for China and the rest of Asia.
Letter to Shareholders, November 2011
This month, Bill Mann turns the writing duties over to Tim Hanson, who shares some wisdom he gained from his brother.
Wandering Fools -- Saudi Arabia
What could bring together an Irish dairy farmer, an Indian yogurt manufacturer, an English baker, and a Sri Lankan banker? Tim Hanson went to Saudi Arabia to find out.
Letter to Shareholders, October 2011
You've heard us say this before: Where there is fear, there is opportunity. And right now, there is no shortage of fear.
September 2011 Fool Funds Shareholder Call
Now you can listen to a recording of our most recent conference call and read the transcript.
Bill Mann recently traveled to China to do some shoe-leather research on one firm. What he found was far more troubling than one possibly fraudulent company.
Letter to Shareholders, September 2011
Dear fellow Fool Funds shareholders: I am in awe of you.
Fool Funds Shareholder Party 2011
If you weren't able to attend our second annual Shareholder party in July, here's your chance to read all about it and watch a video of presentations by Bill Mann and Tom Gardner!
Question Authority, August 2011
Barbecue, options, and bitter melon soup.
Letter to Shareholders, August 2011
Why we are buying.
Letter to Shareholders, July 2011
Chinese fraud and wax-free investing.
Letter to Shareholders, June 2011
The awesomeness continuum explained.
Letter to Shareholders, May 2011
Companies are not math problems.
Letter to Shareholders, April 2011
Trading costs may be costing you more than you realize.
Letter to Shareholders, March 2011
Beware the man for whom there is no such thing as enough.
Question Authority, March 2011
Colonels, Calvin, and the Jakarta Globe.
Wandering Fools -- South Korea
Forget what you’ve heard: South Korea's no more an emerging market than Pittsburgh is a city on the Pacific. Tony Arsta recently landed there in the aftermath of the flare ups in North Korea to see if short-term fears are offering long-term values.
Two years ago many investsors considered Dubai's economy bulletproof. Now many wonder aloud how the emirate will possibly service its crushing debt load. Will its oil-rich neighbor bail it out a second time in two years? One thing's for sure: there is no place like Dubai.
Letter to Shareholders, February 2011
Bill Mann wrestles with an untimely bout of laryngitis in Ethiopia and reflects on an investment lesson learned from the uprising in Egypt.
In the first installment of a new occasional series, Bill Mann talks about returning to Indonesia for the first time in over ten years and what he found there.
Letter to Shareholders, January 2011
Just as with diet and exercise, smart investing takes discipline.
Letter to Shareholders, December 2010
Bill Barker takes over letter-writing duties this month and looks at two very disparate companies with some surprising similarities.
Letter to Shareholders, November 2010
A brief primer on investor psychology and the danger of overconfidence.
Question Authority, November 2010
Gold, commodities, and the mystery of the blue tie.
Letter to Shareholders, October 2010
Invest because of the fear, not just despite it.
Motley Fool Asset Management speaks its mind to the SEC.
Letter to Shareholders, September 2010
Nobody wants to look like an idiot.
Question Authority, September 2010
Asia, BP, and Vogon poetry.
July 2010 Independence Fund Shareholder Call
In case you missed the July 21 call, here's your chance to hear it and read the transcript.
Letter to Shareholders, August 2010
Like it or not, we need banks to make money again
Letter to Shareholders, July 2010
Things are always more complicated than they seem.
Fees, performance, and Edward versus Jacob.
Letter to Shareholders, June 2010
Playing the blame game may be satisfying, but it doesn't fix anything.
Letter to Shareholders, May 2010
The Greek debt crisis casts a large shadow.
Question Authority, May 2010
Regulated communication, dividend stocks, and gift cards for liquor.
Letter to Shareholders, April 2010
The economy is improving. But what about the financial crisis, or investors' attitudes?
January 2010 Independence Fund Shareholder Call
Hear (or read!) what our portfolio team shared with investors on Jan. 14.
Question Authority, March 2010
Fee structures, benchmarks, and investing in the Fund outside the USA.
Letter to Shareholders, March 2010
When considering your returns, there's a constituency that you might not think about.
Letter to Shareholders, February 2010
The markets with hot prospects aren't always the best places to invest.
Letter to Shareholders, January 2010
When it comes to investing, you need to know the right questions to ask.
Gold, or Gold Miners?
In extreme economic times, the risks for each become markedly different.
Letter to Shareholders, December 2009
Maybe a few more difficult months wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Letter to Shareholders, November 2009
If "a small item reveals the truth," see which reform proposals cause a ruckus.
Question Authority
Bill Mann answers your questions about the Independence Fund.
Letter to Shareholders, October 2009
What we know -- and can't know -- about our uncertain recovery period.
Letter to Shareholders, September 2009
Where's the kaboom?
Letter to Shareholders, August 2009
In rare situations, it's best for even long-term-focused investors to sell.
Letter to Shareholders, July 2009
The launch of our fund, and how we're different.
Why Now?
Launching a mutual fund in this market environment isn't as crazy as it seems.
The Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
The current uncertainty can lead to long-term gains for patient investors.