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.
May Letter to Shareholders: Understanding Why We Invest
As Motley Fool Funds enters its fourth year, now’s a good time to remember our origins and our goals, writes Portfolio Manager Bill Mann. And it’s also a good time for shareholders to remember that they truly are part-owners of the businesses that make up the Fool Funds portfolio.
Question Authority: Calculating the Real Rate of Return
The team explains the reasons why you see multiple fund return rates in our filings (short answer: the SEC says so). Plus, the true power of proxy voting, Bill’s adventure in Pakistan, and the strange-but-true story about our shareholder party invitation.
For an international investor, there’s no replacement for immersing yourself in a new city and soaking up the culture, customs and daily rituals. Senior Analyst Tony Arsta is halfway through a 10-week trip to Taiwan, and he shares his observations in this month’s Wandering Fools.
April Letter to Shareholders: When Genius Failed… Again
It happens to financial big shots and sitcom characters alike: Instead of owning up to an error, they dig themselves into a deeper hole. That’s what happens when they’ve convinced themselves they’re far more clever than everyone else. As Senior Analyst Tim Hanson explains, the Fool Funds portfolio team skips those characters and concentrates on leaders who exhibit self-awareness, consideration and common sense.
Question Authority: Our Fund Benchmarks, Banks and Baby Names
You ask, and the portfolio team answers. In this month’s edition, we cover the challenges of selecting a benchmark, Eurozone banking woes, corporate transparency, and baby names that pass the “boss test.”
March Letter to Shareholders: Just Who Do You Think You Are?
Bill Mann delivers a message to countries who are rolling out a financial transactions tax: It doesn't matter if you are among the most powerful people on earth. Capital is much more powerful than you. Mistreat or punish capital, and it will go elsewhere.
Question Authority: Dividend Rates, Fund Teams and Basketball Predictions
What’s up with Fool Funds’ low dividend distribution rate? Bill Mann shares the answer, describes why he prefers a small team of stock analysts, and offers his pick for this year’s NCAA college basketball champion.
February Letter to Shareholders: The Wild Circus of Lunacy
When it comes to long-term investing success, intelligence and analytical firepower are less important than a good temperament. Bill Mann writes that Fool Funds shareholders understand this well, because they show a fairly low propensity to panic when The Market gets dicey.
Question Authority: An Appealing Apple, Frontier Markets and Spoiler Alerts
The team makes the case for Apple and explains the challenges of investing in smaller countries such as Sri Lanka. Plus, Bill breaks down the etiquette for sharing TV, movie and sports spoilers.
February 2013 Semiannual Conference Call
Bill and the portfolio team answered your most-pressing investment questions during the February 6 conference call. Now you can view the video or read the transcript to understand the team’s thoughts about the recent bull market, bank stocks and global companies worth watching.
January Letter to Shareholders: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Bill Mann describes December’s strange confluence of market factors, a solid reminder that buying into a fad or trend is not a great platform for long-term success. Bill also explains the benefits of developing a deep understanding of companies in your portfolio to limit exposure to event risks.
Question Authority: Big Lots, The ‘80s Fantasy League, and Robots
How did we weather the Fiscal Cliff? What's the difference between The Motley Fool’s premium investment services and Motley Fool Funds? And what are the rules for Bill's amazing ‘80s music road trip game?
When you think of the world’s great investing opportunities, Nigeria may not be an obvious choice. But during a recent visit, Bill Mann and Tony Arsta identified an exceedingly interesting set of companies that are extremely profitable, highly capitalized and seemingly blessed with highly skilled managers.
December Letter to Shareholders: The Fake Economy
Bill Mann tackles the origins of value and how economic policy can destroy it, and the ways Motley Fool Funds invests to maximize value for our shareholders.
Question Authority: Bank Stocks, Buying Shares and Muppet Tongues
Have you ever wondered how to buy our funds? Or how they decide which Muppets get tongues? You’ll find the answers, plus Bill’s response to a spammer’s email, in this month’s Question Authority.
Can Peru make the jump from a cyclical growth economy to a sustainable growth economy? Tim Hanson talks about observations from his latest trip, including perspective on banks and brand loyalty.
November Letter to Shareholders: Is the Stock Market Rigged?
Tim Hanson talks about why Americans have such negative opinions about the stock market, and how our portfolio team picks companies we believe are great - no matter Wall Street's reputation.
Question Authority: Gangnam Style, MAMILs and Non-Cash Charges
Did Psy really boost the Korean markets? Plus, how we really feel about bicycles, non-cash charges and more.
From the Desk of MFAM: Hidden Opportunities in Banks
When it comes to the banking industry, we’re extremely cautious because of the lack of transparency and dangerous details that lurk on their balance sheets. Some banks, however, are better than others - here's how you can tell the difference.
October Letter to Shareholders: The Ecology of Success
Companies with great cultures act differently. They do everything they can to make their employees happy and satisfied, and they foster cultures where replicable success is possible (think Costco and Southwest Airlines for starters). In this month’s letter, Bill Mann shares his belief that companies with superior cultures have a higher likelihood of superior returns.
Question Authority, October 2012: Starbucks, Cash Flows and Nimrods
Ever wonder why Fool Funds doesn’t have its own discussion board, or where the market may go by the end of 2012? Look no further than this month’s edition of Question Authority.
Turkey’s future is full of potential, writes senior analyst Tony Arsta, just back from his latest international trip. Many companies in the country have learned two key lessons: Growth for growth's sake adds no value, and capital should be deployed only at attractive returns on investment.
From the Desk of MFAM: Warning Signs for Investors
When analyzing a company’s potential, pay close attention to management’s future plans. If you see signs of questionable, unfocused capital allocation (call it “diworsification”), it’s time to look elsewhere.
Semiannual Conference Call September 2012
Want to know how your Fool Funds portfolio team feels about slower growth in China, investing opportunities in Europe, and the challenges of picking winning sectors immediately after a presidential election? The video and transcript are now available online.
September Letter to Shareholders: You're an Idiot. Statistically.
Well maybe not you, specifically. But a recent SEC study shows that a shocking number of American investors “lack basic financial literacy” and many could not correctly answer the question: “What’s a stock?” Even worse, the newly signed JOBS Act allows hedge funds to market much more widely to these investors. Get Bill Mann’s take on what this means for us and what we can do about it.
Question Authority, September 2012: The Team Answers Your Questions
Will European woes hurt the Epic Voyage Fund? Why is a Saudi dairy one of the Independence Fund’s largest holdings? Is Argentina a bad company for investment? Do we hate Canada? Answers to these questions and many more.
August Letter to Shareholders: Wholly Preventable
Like legendary basketball coach John Wooden, we believe that proper preparation is key to preventing sloppy mistakes. That’s why we make sure we know all of our companies inside and out. Still, sometimes market events leave us scratching our heads.
Question Authority: The Team Answers Your Questions
Our thoughts on assessing the funds’ performance, investing through a 401k, and gift suggestions for your Twitter followers. Plus, crazy German words.
July Letter to Shareholders: Bill's Motley Musings
Bill Mann has a lot on his mind this month. Peruse his thoughts on everything from the Albanian royal family to why the Fool Funds portfolio team was “raised by wolves” (it’s a good thing). Plus, he offers up his favorite Twitter feeds and a few trivia questions.
Question Authority: The Team Answers Your Questions
What do “Gilligan’s Island,” Allen Iverson, Mickey Mantle, and a guide to finding the best mutual funds have in common? They’re all topics of this month’s Q&As! You won’t want to miss it.
Tim Hanson travels to Ohio to find out how some companies are profiting by keeping jobs in the U.S.
Peter Jacobstein, the Portfolio Team, Tom Gardner and Brainjuicer CEO John Kearon shared insights with shareholders at our Annual Meeting. The video and transcript are now available online.
June Letter to Shareholders: What's My Motivation?
Senior analyst Tony Arsta tackles the Facebook IPO, information asymmetry, and why tech stocks can be such tough investments.
Question Authority: M*A*S*H versus Miami Vice
Bill Mann and the team offer up thoughts on Facebook, our take on Yongye, and the top 5 television theme songs of all time.
Senior analysts Tim Hanson and Tony Arsta get the rock star treatment in Sumatra, with a stop in Singapore to check out a chain of bakeries.
May Letter to Shareholders: On Corruption
Portfolio manager Bill Mann discusses the wide-ranging effects of corruption on investors.
Question Authority: Mobsters in Macau
Bill Mann and the team tackle topics from Macau’s reliance on the Chinese mob to the Beastie Boys' top hits to the future of expense reimbursements to how jet engines work.
Tim Hanson checks in on portfolio holding Compartamos, gets out into the streets to meet some of its clients, and enjoys the world’s best taco.
April Letter to Shareholders: The Good Life Comes at a Cost
Paris in the springtime prompts Portfolio Manager Bill Mann to ponder how European joie de vivre has factored into its economic troubles – and why Americans aren’t in danger of heading down the same path.
Question Authority April 2012: Happy Hunger Games
Bill Mann and the team tackle topics ranging from Arcos Dorados’ future prospects to Berkshire Hathaway’s lackluster share price growth to who in our office would win a (thankfully hypothetical) Fool Funds Hunger Games.
Bill Mann and Tim Hanson head to Macau to check up on holding Wynn Resorts and reflect on the massive changes in the area since their last visit.
March Letter to Shareholders: Everyone Hates Stocks and That's Why You Shouldn't
In this month's letter, Portfolio Manager Bill Mann reflects upon Don Krueger's remarkable prediction, and investing lessons from Galileo.
Bill Mann answers your questions about the best company in Winchester, Virginia; why we're not 100% invested; and offers up intriguing music recommendations from China, Mexico, Malaysia, and more.
Senior analysts Tony Arsta and Don Krueger travel to Abu Dhabi to find out what's next for this region in transition.
February Letter to Shareholders: Imaginary Problems
In this month's letter, Portfolio Manager Bill Mann discusses the very real dangers of making it too easy for companies to go public - and reveals the real reason some Senators are trying to do just that.
Wandering Fools: Winchester, VA
Winchester, VA, may not be as exotic as some of the other locales to which Fools have wandered, but as Tim Hanson discovered, it may hold some important clues about the future of the housing industry.
Question Authority February 2012
Bill Mann answers your questions about portfolio turnover, those "hot" stock tips, and natural disasters. Plus, he advises readers on selecting the perfect sports jersey - and where it is (and is not) acceptable to wear them.
Motley Fool Funds Semi-Annual Shareholder Call
Missed our latest conference call? For shame! Luckily, the recording and the transcript are now available online.
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 investors 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, November 2009
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.