I decided to not only save a small part of my salary but also start investing. Real estate was out of question as it required a bigger monetary commitment and i was loathe investing in land that could some day be encroached and i would need to run around the authorities and people in power to get them evicted.

The next best option was the stock market.  It didn’t require a huge upfront money and also because of Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), i could invest a small amount every month in the mutual funds.  Also because of demat, it was easy for me to buy small number of shares of the companies that i liked.  Since my knowledge of economics, finance and the stock market in general was a big zero, i had to educate myself.  I attended a few seminars, but at the end realised that they were nothing but big money making scams.

This is when i truly realized the power of the internet.  With some great help from Google uncle, i jumped headlong into an intense 12 month study of the stock markets. I searched for information like crazy on equities and mutual funds. By then i had more or less realised that i was going to concentrate primarily in the Indian stock markets.  A developing economy which
was consistently clocking above 7% growth every year and a huge market, i realised that if i could get in early, i could probably ride a 20-30 year long boom.

India was then just starting off.  The BSE Sensex was then around 4500 (it has since climbed to 21,000, then fell to 9000 odd and is now back to 19000). I remember reading an Indian business magazine that pointed to a target 8000 for BSE Sensex in a few months time.  I chuckled to myself at the audacity of that heading.  But still deep down in my heart somewhere I had the belief that we were looking at something spectacular that was about to happen.

Imagine a country of a billion people and with the economy clocking 7-8% annual growth in GDP, it was sure to hit a trillion dollars soon and if the rate of growth could be kept up, then the next trillion could come in 8-9 years.  Yes, there were and are lots of things that could derail the growth. Terrorism emanating from Pakistan being just one such issue. Poverty, rampant corruption (that has become a norm these days), a closed economy, religious and regional violence…many issues could be an impediment to India’s growth and thus hit my investments in the market.

But honestly, when you realise that you are in the pits, the only way to go is up.  I took the risk and opened a demat account.  Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was getting listed on the Indian stock markets for the first time ever in 2004.  I applied for the IPO and was allotted a measly 7 shares at 850 rupees each.  I was disappointed at not having been allotted more. Nervethless,  i held on.  A few months later the stock hit 1400 rupees.  I sold off at almost 550 rupees profit per share.  I made more than 3800 rupees (not accounting for taxes) in a few months by investing in TCS.

I had tasted blood.

Target 2015 continues….

Above target picture courtesy: David Hawkins

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Not that many people visit this site. Hardly gets around 100 hits a day unless some troll decides to brighten up an otherwise dull day. When i was with WordPress, the blog used to have thousands of hits daily. Not to mention that i used to blog much more regularly out there.

With the amount of work, i hardly have time to catch up with friends. Blogging has sort of taken a secondary interest in life. But i still cant believe that i could sustain interest for over 7 years. Meanwhile have finished reading some good books. Most of my updates on the blog have been on the Movies and Reading pages. They are the only ones getting updated constantly. Read a book on Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff. Being a history buff, i liked the book. Wish i could find some movie or documentary on the same.

Also finally finished reading “The Warren Buffett Way” which i had been reading on and off while simultaneously reading other books. The other one is the unofficial Dhirubhai Ambani biography “The Polyester Prince” which also have been reading in fits and starts. The only way i seem to be able to finish a book faster is by listening to audio books. E-books and physical books seem to be taking months for me to finish. Its precisely why i have no interest of going in for an iPad or a Kindle. I think i will stick to audio book readers till the time i can improve my reading speed.

Still, have managed to finish about 19 books in the first 6 months of the year which i believe is pretty good enough. The target was to read a book a month. I have far exceeded that target. The next book that iam excited about reading is “Why Men Hate Going To Church – David Murrow“. The title of the book so defines me. My parents tried for more than 30 years and my wife has been trying for the past 3 years. I still cant bring myself to voluntarily go to church on a sunday. Not do do anything with my beliefs. I do pray regularly, but church is one thing that has been unable to keep me hooked. Maybe this book will give me some pointers on this issue.

Have watched some good (Hanna, X-Men, Millenium trilogy of Stieg Larsson) and lots of not so good movies over the past few months. Pyaar Ka Punchnaama as well as Shaitan were good too. As for telugu movies, the lesser said the better.

Time flies. We are almost into the 2nd half of the year. Time for me to take stock of the situation and make some hard choices. Do i still want to continue with what i have been doing all along or take the plunge into the unknown? Maybe the coming few months will give me the answer. Meanwhile what i need desperately is a holiday.

Above picture courtesy: Lifeconnectionchurch

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The one thing that i believe that i always lacked is the ability to chase people to get my things done.  This is something i have slowly started to work on.  Iam happy living in my own cocoon.  Takes time for me to open up and as a result, i have a small tight group of friends and for someone else to enter the group, it takes time.

But for some reason, i have seen people open up to me easily.  I dont need to know a person for long before they confess their intimate secrets to me.  Dunno if i give them some kind of comfort or is it something else.

Meanwhile for some strange reason, i have started believing that my days as an employee is coming to an end. Sooner or later i want to do my own thing.  This has been going round in my mind for long. But honestly, i cant figure out what is that one thing that i want to do.  If nothing, i want to take a break, finish the NCFM certifications and if possible get certified as a Financial Planner.  Later on, start my own consultancy or investment firm.  Also would love to learn more about trading, commodities and stuff.

If only i could make some time to pursue all these interests.

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Work is too hectic.  Been more than a week into the new position.  Lots of responsibilities and lots to learn.  Challenging no doubt, but happy that Iam learning a lot.  Been stuck in the rut for some time now.  Took this leap of faith and till now, its been pretty satisfying.

The markets have been on a roller coaster.  Up one day and down the next 2 days.  Havent had time to look at my portfolio which has been red when i saw last week.  Not thinking much about it.  Bought some good companies (i believe) on the dips and i will now wait for the market to go up.  There are indications that it might go down further.  No worries.  Will wait for it to go up.

Meanwhile, the cricket world cup is in full flow.  India is now on the top of the table, but had just one challenging match (against England).  The match against South Africa this weekend will be the one to watch out for.

Meanwhile reading a lot of finance / investment books.   Am in the process of making changes to my career and life in general.  As and when significant changes happen, i will update here.  Till  then, let things drift.

There was a time when i had trouble reading one book.  Today, am simultaneously reading 4 books, 2 magazines and books related to the course iam attending.  Not to mention technical documents related to work.   I cant believe that i have time to do all that.  Wifey hasnt had any complaints that iam not spending time with her.  In the past few months, have gone to the Zoo, Bird Park, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Science Center and a few other places with her.  More places here in Singapore to explore.  Wanted to go overseas for a holiday, but am waiting for some time for me to get settled into the new job responsibilities.

Time isnt a hindrance if one plans properly.  Earlier, i was too lethargic. This year of the rabbit has been too good for me already.  Hope the luck stays.  I need it.  Have a lot to achieve this year.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost

A big thank you and wishes to all the women who have touched me in some way and been a part of my life.  Thanks a million.  Wishing the best on the centenary celebrations of the International Womens Day – 2011.

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Of course nothing can be predicted about the future.  The market conditions might become better, the Egypt political crisis might be solved, the companies could come out with better results in the next few quarters, the government might get tough on graft and a few politicians & their crony businessmen might end up in jail.

BSE Sensex performance in the past 1 month (courtesy: Yahoo finance)

Meanwhile, some of the best blue chip stocks and companies with strong fundamentals have been beaten down 20-40%.  This is another of the great time for a fence sitter to invest.  I have done too.

Bought a few stocks of Sintex Industries, Punjab & Sind Bank, Kanoria Chemicals, Noida Toll Bridge and averaged out the badly battered stocks of  MIC Electronics & 3I Infotech.

At the end of last year sold off Suzlon Energy, Reliance Communications (my worst investment ever. I would never buy any Anil Ambani companies again) and Punj Lloyd (another laggard not only on the stock market, but also in business).   I had sold them off for a loss.  It would have been a bigger loss if i had held them on as all 3 of them have been beaten down very badly.

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Also bought more stocks of MIC Electronics & Graphite India

This year the dividend payout has been pretty good. Add to that bonus shares from both Dabur (1:1) and & TVS Motors (1:1)

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He’s the one who coined the word, “ten bagger” which means an investment that is worth ten times its original buying price.  Lynch goes on to give pointers on how to pick up the ten baggers, the kind of companies to avoid, how to design a portfolio, the silliest things people say about stocks.

This book is one of the best books to read before entering the market. If you are someone who would like to enter the stock markets and get into equity, mutual funds etc, this book is a must read.

Read more about Peter Lynch at his Wikipedia page here

A list of all the books that i have read till now and am currently reading are on the right side of this blog.  Though not a prolific reader, this year i have been reading quite a few books.  With still 4 months to go for the end of the year, i hope to have read at least 12 books this year; which would mean a book every month.  Hmmm….not bad

One Up On Wall Street: How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money In The Market
Author – Peter Lynch
Pages – 304
Publisher – Simon & Schuster

Above picture courtesy: Bfanderson

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Bought the following

Sold the following

Hoping for the markets to correct sharply once the much expected double dip recession hits the US economy.  There would be lots of great bargains out there then.

Above stock price history courtesy:  Yahoo Finance

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• A company’s earnings yield

• Return on capital

The rationale is straightforward: buy shares in good businesses, measured by returns on capital, only when they’re available at bargain prices, defined as a high earnings yield.

The magic formula looks for companies that have the best combination of earnings yield and return on capital, with each input weighed equally. An outstanding company with an expensive stock ranked, say, first for return on capital but 1,999th on earnings yield, would have the same combined ranking of 2,000 as a low return on capital company within expensively priced shares, ranking 1,999th in return on capital but first on earnings yield.

Using this approach to create a regularly updated portfolio of about 30 stocks with the highest combined rankings, Mr Greenblatt tested his formula between 1988 and 2004. The results were remarkable: with only one down year, the magic portfolio would have returned 30.8 per cent a year, against a 12.4 percent annual return for the S&P 500. Rather than using the latest 12 months’ earnings to calculate earnings yield and return on capital, Mr Greenblatt and his analysts try to improve on the rote application of this formula by using earnings estimates in a “normal” year, one in which nothing unusual is happening within the  company, its industry or the overall economy.

source: Amazon

The Little Book That Beats The Market
Author – Joel Greenblatt
Pages – 176
Publisher – Wiley

Mukesh Ambani-led RIL’s foray into the telecom sector will entail an investment of about $5 billion, for which it is open to sharing infrastructure of younger brother Anil’s group firm Reliance Communications, company officials said. The flagship firm of Ambani, who is known for making ultra-mega projects, would invest about a billion dollars for rolling out broadband services to attain a target of 100 million subscribers through the just acquired Infotel in five years, RIL top officials told analysts last night.

RIL acquired Infotel for Rs 4,800 crore on the day the Nahata group firm emerged as the sole player to have bid successfully for all-India spectrum at the end of the 16-day-long auction conducted by the government on Friday.Apart from this, the cash-rich RIL will have to pay Rs 12,872 crore to the government as the licence fee for spectrum bagged by Infotel, which would become the subsidiary of the Mukesh Ambani group’s flagship company.

Incidentally, the second largest largest telecom player, RCOM, bagged the highest number of circles along with Bharti Airtel for the 3G license auction, which concluded recently.

Read the full article here

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