<FOOLISH FOUR PORTFOLIO>

FAQs for F4Rs
(Foolish Four Readers)

by Ann Coleman
([email protected])

Reston, VA (November 25, 1998) -- Today we attempt to kill (well, probably only wound) several birds with one stone. (Sorry, animal lovers -- just a figure of speech from our more primitive days.) In reality, I am out of town, on vacation, sick, had an emergency, or just forgot that today was Wednesday. So this is an insurance column (it insures I keep my job if I forget it's Wednesday), but a pretty important one judging from the apparent level of confusion among readers about certain points.

The question that pops up in my e-mail most often is some variation on "When is the best time to start a Foolish Four Portfolio?" The second most frequently asked question is "Do I hold for 12 or 18 months?" And the third most frequently asked question is "Why do you pick the Foolish Four stocks differently than the Gardners said to do it in The Motley Fool Investment Guide?"

So today I offer you a tour of some old columns designed to answer these and other burning questions. It's kind of like those TV shows that consist mostly of clips from previous shows -- you just know somebody needed a day off (or fell in love, or got arrested, or had a fight, or entered rehab) somewhere along the line.

Wondering when to start or how long to hold?

08/07/98: When and How Long and 09/04/98: Fun with Statistics

Wondering why we don't always drop that first stock and double up on the second one?

10/26/98: The Old Foolish Four

Want to know how to avoid investing in Philip Morris or other socially controversial companies? Or just wondering if you should drop XYZ because it looks like a sure loser?

10/21/98: Messin' With the System

My personal favorite: Want to see how the Foolish Four and RP stack up against the Standard & Poor's 500 Index over years and years and years?

10/05/98: Rolling Returns

Need a rundown on all the strategies we cover?

10/28/98: Variations on Variations

Want to get started but not sure how, or even if it's feasible?

09/21/98: Let's Talk Money, Pt. 1

Things not going as well as you expected?

10/09/98: It's Not Working!

OK, that about covers it.

Fool on and prosper!

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Current Dow Order | 1998 Dow Returns

11/25/98 Close
Stock  Change   Last
--------------------
UK   +   7/8   45.69
IP   -  15/16  43.06
MO   +   1/4   58.31
EK   -  13/16  75.06

                   Day   Month    Year
        FOOL-4   -0.20%   5.29%  16.78%
        DJIA     +0.14%   8.41%  17.78%
        S&P 500  +0.33%   8.03%  22.30%
        NASDAQ   +0.98%  12.07%  26.42%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At       Now    Change

 12/31/97  276 Philip Mor    45.25     58.31    28.87%
 12/31/97  206 Eastman Ko    60.56     75.06    23.94%
 12/31/97  291 Union Carb    42.94     45.69     6.40%
 12/31/97  289 Int'l Pape    43.13     43.06    -0.14%


    Rec'd   #  Security     In At     Value    Change

 12/31/97  276 Philip Mor 12489.00  16094.25  $3605.25
 12/31/97  206 Eastman Ko 12475.88  15462.88  $2987.00
 12/31/97  291 Union Carb 12494.81  13295.06   $800.25
 12/31/97  289 Int'l Pape 12463.13  12445.06   -$18.06


               Dividends Paid YTD  $1092.81
                            TOTAL  $58390.06

</FOOLISH FOUR PORTFOLIO>