1. Know what you own
This one frequently gets a "yeah, yeah" from me, but it's embarrassing how many "They do THAT?" moments I have.
Here's a test for every company you own...can you explain in detail how they make money AND how that's different than their competitors?
2/12
2. It's futile to predict the economy and interest rates (so don't waste time trying)
As I'm writing this, we're all wondering what the Fed's going to do.
You could read this a week, a month, or 10 years from now, and this would be true.
3/12
3. You have plenty of time to identify and recognize exceptional companies
Lynch mentions $WMT as an example...even way back when he wrote about it, it was a 10-bagger even if you waited 10 years AFTER its IPO.
Today, we can look at $AMZN or $NFLX.
4/12
4. Avoid long shots
LOVE this one.
It's so easy to get enamored with a stock's potential to 10-bag (e.g. hot industry, huge TAM, etc.), but we have to bump that against its chances for success.
5/12
Lynch claims he was 0-for-25 in investing in companies that had no revenue but a great story.
Combined with #3, that can mean waiting to see if the company can reach critical mass on execution and then buying at a higher future price with a greater chance of success.
6/12
5. Good management is very important; good businesses matter more
Of course, great management (especially founder leaders) can help build great businesses.
I know I didn't flinch when Jeff Bezos decided to step away from $AMZN's day-to-day.
7/12
6. Be flexible and humble, and learn from mistakes
This is different than constantly changing strategies.
Lynch: "In this business, if you're good, you're right six times out of 10. You're never going to be right nine times out of 10."
There are lessons in the losers!
8/12
7. Before you make a purchase, you should be able to explain why you're buying
...to an 11-year-old in three sentences.
Lynch: "Never invest in any idea you can’t illustrate with a crayon."
Personal e.g.: My Greenlight Framework forces me to organize my thoughts simply.
9/12
8. There's always something to worry about.
Lynch's e.g.: investors made a killing in the 1950s despite the very new threat of nuclear war.
Buffett started investing DURING WWII.
Lynch: "In the stock market, the most important organ is the stomach. It's not the brain."
10/12
These lessons sound SO simple and obvious
In a sentence, he's saying...
Focus on patiently, humbly, consistently vetting and buying great companies.
But executing them is SO hard.
Revisiting this list from time to time helps me.
11/12
