Tilting the Odds: The Keys to Gaining an Investment Edge

By Mark Tepper

From 1998 to 2018, people who managed their own investments yielded a paltry 1.9 percent return. Why do so many think they can strike investment gold but wind up with such disappointing results?

In Tilting the Odds, Mark Tepper, CFP® and president and CEO of Strategic Wealth Partners, shows you how to avoid the pitfalls common to many do-it-yourself investors. You'll learn the investment edge process, which is rooted in a well-balanced risk-reward profile. Rather than strike it rich or make money fast, the goal of the investment edge process is to create long-term success.

By following the investment edge process, you'll increase your ability to control your reactions to the ups and downs of the stock market. Instead of succumbing to the failures that lead to poor investment results, you'll learn to skillfully manage risk.

If you're ready to improve the investment decisions that affect your financial life most, Tilting the Odds is your essential guide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Nov 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781456633967

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© 2019 Mark Tepper

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission, except in the case of short quotations used for critical articles or review. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or inconsistencies herein. Any brands, products, companies, and trademarks that appear in this book are stated for illustrative purposes only. Their mention in no way expresses explicit or implied endorsement or approval of the content in this book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Rethinking Your Investment Process

Chapter 2. Our Investment Edge Process

Chapter 3. Key 1: Management Team

Chapter 4. Key 2: Growth Story

Chapter 5. Key 3: Valuation

Chapter 6. Summary

Notes

About the Author

Further Guidance

CHAPTER 1

Rethinking Your Investment Process

In October of 2018, I had just wrapped up an appearance on a popular cable financial news show. On the program, I described business efficiency. I then provided examples of companies that demonstrated what that means.

In our wealth management firm, we define a business as efficient when it provides services and products that make other businesses more profitable and efficient. We believe efficient companies will realize superior growth for the foreseeable future.

After the TV segment, I stepped out of the small studio we set up in my company’s headquarters to broadcast media appearances. I returned to my desk. At the top of my to-do list was to prepare for a meeting with our investment research team. As I was finishing up, my phone rang. It was my administrative assistant.

Mark, a guy just saw you on TV and was so worried he called us right away. His name is Scott. He’s from So Cal and sounded pretty panicked. He wanted to get your take on his investment situation, she told me.

She provided me Scott’s number. After the investment research meeting, I gave him a buzz. Scott and I exchanged brief introductions, and he plunged right into his dilemma.

In the span of just two weeks, I lost a million dollars in my investment portfolio! It was my retirement fund, my safety net, and how I’d support my family. And now all I have to show for it is sleepless nights and constant anxiety, he said.

Right away, I recognized the worry, despair, and defeat in Scott’s voice; I’d heard the same a million times before with others. While the reasons behind each person’s financial anxiety may be different,