MF Shrimp. MF. Now, that's supposed to mean something. It's supposed to mean that I have some experience with investing. That I have a Foolish attitude towards investing. At least that I have a modicum of common sense. It should mean that if I find a stock that I think it a worthwhile investment, I invest. I don't worry about the current price; I don't try to chase it to a price I'd prefer. I don't put limitations on investing in it because I'm going for the long term, so today's price shouldn't matter. This is what being an MF means.
Well, it should, anyway. But, here's me, oh so very Foolish in my daily dealings, my words, my thoughts, and my Foolosophy. All the way up to the time I go to invest in a stock I like. From that moment on, all Foolishness goes the way of the trash can.
Today, I was all set to buy a stock that I've wanted to buy for a long time. Great company. Great value. Still so much room for growth. All the valuation numbers are positive. The management is strong, forward thinking, and innovative. The product is one that will be needed forever. The company has been growing, is growing, and will be growing for many years to come. So I just went in and bought the stock. Right?
Wrong. No, not me. I had to put the buy in at a limit price. Couldn't just admit I love the company, and go in at market. No. I have to play. I have to act like some kind of know-it-all who can predict how the market will treat the stock from day to day. I had to be smart. Well, this intelligence, or lack thereof, lost me the purchase.
Are you wondering how I lost the purchase? Well, here comes confession-from-an-idiot time. I asked my broker to place the order at a specific price, effectively setting a buy limit. But by doing this I told the market not to execute unless the stock hit my price, which, of course, it didn't. Then, genius that I am, I told my broker to call me later, and I may adjust the limit. Now, mind you, he's no Einstein either, so he calls me 2 minutes before the market closed. Just enough time for me to say, go in at market, and for him to say, too late, market's closed. So, why didn't I call him myself? Why did I even bother with a limit order? Because my brain took a leave of absence, that's why.
Now, you're probably thinking, so? Just buy it tomorrow, right? But wait. Remember who you're talking to here. Sure, most normal, levelheaded, right and Foolish thinking folks would do just that. But this is me, now. Of course I'm going to go around being upset, thinking it's too late, and probably missing buying it tomorrow, too. I mean, when I get stupid, I get stupid. Why, just watch me try to put a price in again, and run the risk of...
Wait. Hold it. Why would I do that again? Think, Judi. You have a company here with a PEG of 0.72. A YPEG price target (with the current price being 73) of 101.70. A 30% 5-year growth rate expected. 4th quarter over 4th quarter EPS increase of 137%. FY over FY increase of 95%. Cash flow increase year over year of 53%. What more can you possibly want? I mean, what are you going to do? Consult the stars?
There's a lesson to be learned here. Hopefully everyone reading this has already gotten it. Now, if I could just pound it into this thick-walled brain of mine.
Buy no matter what... buy no matter what... buy no matter what... oh, please, go on with what you were doing. Don't mind me. I'm just trying to hypnotize myself. Shouldn't take long. Go on. Ignore me. Go away. You're breaking my concentration.
Now, where was I? Oh yes, buy no matter what... buy no matter what...
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