business and investing

I read stock market investment books like some cooks read cookbooks-- for a new idea that can change the recipe and make the outcome a better success. I received several good ideas from this book. It is a keeper. I would also recommend the three (or or there more?) books by R. Max Bowser who has an unique system where he even guarantees $5,000 if the reader does not make a profit using his system. Mr. Bowser states that he has refined his investment system on an ongoing basis (adding improvements) over the past 20 years (Take a glance at Mr. Bowser's book, "Guaranteed Profits With Small Stocks"). There are so many good investment books out there and the serious investor should keep up with the new books to have a stream of fresh new ideas.

Don't be turned off by the book's funky title. "You can be astock market genius" is actually one of the few investment classicsout there. The book does not deal with everyday investment jargons. (Low PE, high growth rate, etc.) Instead, it focuses on rare special corporate events. And how investors may profit by looking through these small cracks which the greater investment community often ignored and misunderstood. Although I doubt many individual investors will be able to fully utilize what the author suggested. (It is a difficult proccess which required substantial background in related areas.) These corporate events are often quite unique in each individual case. And some of them carry tremendous risk. (eg. bankruptcy) Yet, if use properly. These methods can dramatically magnify one's return. (For instance, the section where he discussed how investors can use Leaps in turnaround situations.) Even for those readers who do not attempt to participate in special situation investing, Mr. Greenblatt's logic and methods are very beneficial in shaping investment decisions in general.

Greenblatt does a good job explaining spinoffs, mergers, bankruptcies, etc. and how they can be create market-beating investments. He presents data backing up his theories, and also provides many good examples of finding such investment situations. He also explains the criteria for what qualifies a good risk/reward ratio in these types of investments.

However, one thing I want to point out is that you have to definitely do some research on each investment if you want to truly put Greenbaltt's put methods into efective practice. If you are willing to go through SEC filings and do thoroguh research on each investment you make, then the type of investing found in this book might be right for you.