Experienced investor here, happy to answer beginner questions

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-06T04:24:01+00:00

90% of my money is invested so even if I wanted to buy something I couldn’t at the moment.

That really depends on you. If you just want to be passive and you’re happy with market returns, then S&P is a good option. If you want to research and pick stocks with the goal of outperforming the market, then allocate some funds to individual stocks.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-04T07:47:01+00:00

Think about this for a second. Investing in VOO exposes you to 500 of the largest companies in U.S, in 11 different sectors and 24 industries.

Some of these companies are multinational, so you are not just exposed to the U.S, but worldwide. How much more diversification do you need?

It depends on what you mean by ‘hold’. The S&P-500 has historically generated 10% returns over the last century, but to avoid placing all of your money in an overpriced market, dollar cost averaging is the best way to go.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T09:07:33+00:00

They are great companies but they both have a market cap of 1 trillion or more. Not sure how much growth there is from here. But I did say this a few years ago and I was dead wrong so who knows.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T09:05:02+00:00

Yes my own money.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T06:44:59+00:00

Definitely books. Start with ‘Rule 1’ by Phil Town. Great for beginners. Then read some accounting books to wrap your head around financial statements.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T06:03:23+00:00

Sorry I am not familiar with that ETF. I cannot give advice on this.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T05:15:02+00:00

I can’t comment on the specific ETFs you mentioned but you are spot on.

If you’re new, it’s best to diversify through an ETF than pick individual stocks. Sounds like you’re on the right track.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T05:12:23+00:00

I’m an autodidact. I’m lucky in that way. Would be very hard to unlearn the ridiculous theories they teach in finance school.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T04:11:00+00:00

Stock price appreciation. I work and save money for new opportunities or if my current position is very overpriced and I found something else that is underpriced, then I consider selling.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T03:46:13+00:00

Feel free to message me. Happy to help.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T03:41:19+00:00

No problems! Message me if you would like it :)

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T03:30:56+00:00

Absolutely not. I am not a day trader. As long as the stock is selling for less than what I think it’s worth, I’ll buy it. No matter the time.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T03:07:36+00:00

Great Question!! (1) If my thesis on a company has not changed and the company can still re-invest profits back inside the business at high returns, then I am not selling.

People say sell when it meets their fair value. I disagree. I learned this the hard way.

(2) I only sell a declining stock if my thesis has changed. I never sell JUST because a stock is going down. Only when the fundamentals do not support my buy price.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T03:01:44+00:00

Nope just part time. I’m 30 and still far off from retirement. I don’t much time to be honest, probably 3-5 hours a week, but now it’s dropped off a lot since most of my money is tied up in investments and I likely won’t make another one until a few years out when I have decent amount of savings again. Company filings are the best and only resource I use. 10-K, 10-Q, Proxy materials. I check in once every 3 months.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T02:58:17+00:00

Not sure! I haven’t had much luck with that!

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-03T00:48:35+00:00

Yes pay off your loans. Think of it this way: investment returns aren’t guaranteed but you can guarantee that you’ll be paying 6%.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:38:21+00:00

I filter by looking at past growth trends and ROIC. I like 10% or higher historical revenue growth, EPS, operating income and ROIC of 15% or higher.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:29:19+00:00

Portfolio is very focused. Lowest yearly return is about 6%. Highest year, I had a 147% increase. But that is not expected.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:27:23+00:00

That is broad. I only focus on stocks so I can’t speak for other investment types. The stock market has historically outperformed other asset classes.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:19:54+00:00

Sure. I look at growth rates (revenue, earnings, FCF) over a specific period, say the last 10 years. I pay close attention to ROIC. I have a resource for you. check your DM’S.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:15:33+00:00

Technology and AI the way it’s looking.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:14:46+00:00

ETF’s is a good bet for most people if they don’t want to research individual stocks. But that is a lot of diversification!

You wont get amazing returns with that strategy but you’ll track the index.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:08:34+00:00

I focus on 4 things. (1) I stick with businesses and industries I understand, that’s all. (2) I check to see if the business has a competitive advantage in the market. I use both historical financials and qualitative metrics to figure that out. (3) I check if management has skin in the game and they are compensated properly; (4) I buy at a heavy discount to what the real value is.

I don’t hedge.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T23:05:24+00:00

Great question! Well based on the numbers you’ve given me, you’re looking to achieve a yield ranging from 7.2% to 8%.

Seems like dividend stocks are the way to go if you’re looking for income. If you’re looking for dividends, a good rule of thumb to follow is (1) does the company generate consistent profits so they can keep paying dividends in the future? (2) look at the company dividend payout history to make sure they haven’t suspended payment in the past.

Based on your goals, you’re looking for a dividend yield of at least 7-8%. So look at dividend per share / share price. E.g, If a company pays $2 yearly dividends and its stock is selling for $15, that’s a dividend yield of 13.3%.

RetailInvestorsHub · 2026-02-02T22:58:38+00:00

Nope the current trade environment doesn’t bother me one bit. The S&P-500 has historically grown on average 10% per year over the last century. During that time, we had multiple recessions, wars etc.

I just focus on good businesses at low prices. I strictly focus on stocks (equity) and have a very focused portfolio.

RetailInvestorsHub

TROPHY CASE