price transparency

Value Will Out: Living with the Streaky In-Between
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The ever-changing mosaic of the market holds my attention like few things do. It seems that a million factors bear on daily outcomes, mediated by human emotions such as fear and greed.

As fundamental investors, we believe that value ultimately comes out. Fads and fears may drive prices to irrational levels, but sooner or later the bottom line, the intrinsic worth makes itself known. This is why we are sometimes content to invest or hold onto unpopular companies: we’re waiting patiently.

Recently the broad stock market averages had their worst day in many months—followed the next day by the best day in many months. One day the global economy is supposedly going off a cliff; the next, all is well in the world. During such turmoil, we are happy to do our research, make decisions, and hang on.

The crosscurrents have been strong. When some of our larger holdings gain or lose 5% in a day, it has an impact on your account balances. But we pick our spots, thinking about the long term, and judge our results over the longest possible time horizon.

Streakiness in the short run, we can tolerate. It may just be the price of getting to the long-term results we desire.

For you, that means we are interested in your cumulative results: how much have you put in, and how much do you have now? This is generally a more useful, and gratifying, way to look at your portfolios. The day-to-day action can appear random, by comparison. (It goes up and down, this we know.)

In the meantime, we read and study, assessing our holdings and looking for new possibilities. Having the best clients in the world helps: we spend no time apologizing or explaining short-term volatility, for we know it will always be with us.

Clients, if you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.

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Value Will Out: Living With the Streaky In-Between – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

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Free Lunch?

© Can Stock Photo / angelo

A few investment institutions, including those which maintain accounts for investment advisors, have gone to zero commissions on stock transactions. We are reminded of the old saying, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Of course, every ongoing business collects every dime of its costs from customers, one way or another.

We are reminded that the warmest apartment house on a cold day is the one where utilities are not separately metered. A resident might say “The rent is high, but the heat is free.” In truth, the landlord is getting the cost of the heat out of the tenants. And, more heat gets used because of the illusion that it is free.

Investors have benefited mightily from competition in financial services through the years. Lower costs and improved services and choice are good things. This latest step, however, looks to be a step backward. Some observers believe that zero-commission trading will lead to more trading, just like the apartment house that uses more heat.

We favor pricing mechanisms that have customers paying for the services they use. This is the fairest way to allocate the costs of anything. Nobody believes that maintaining the infrastructure and expertise to handle securities trading, account for it, and deliver services to the investor is free. Everybody knows those costs will be paid somehow.

As fundamental, long term value-oriented investors with relatively low turnover, we would hate to be subsidizing rapid-fire traders who benefit from zero commissions. Clients, we will be monitoring developments closely, seeking to maintain sound economics for your business and ours.

If you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.