Investing thread

[AnnaRaven]

So I'm wondering if anyone else here does investing (in the stock market). I understand a lot of folks don't. I don't want to turn this into an Occupy Wall Street thread. I'd rather discuss investing in ways that further our values here. Are there any companies that you invest in that support your values - self-sufficiency, sustainability, etc.

Examples might be: solar companies (or solar panel makers), makers of energy-saving appliances, food producers who actually do good stuff (are there any?) ...

One stock we have that I really like is CREE - they make LED light bulbs that you can buy at Home Despot and never have to buy a lightbulb again. And they're low wattage to run with nice bright light. So they save energy, money, and the problem of replacing bulbs regularly.

Another stock I like is NPK - the makers of Presto canners. I like owning stock in a company whose products I use regularly and recommend to folks.

So any good companies you like? I'm particularly interested in finding food related companies that are worth supporting. Please post the ticker and why you like them. But any other companies that promote self-sufficient/sustainable values would be great to know about.

DH used to be invested in a midwestern egg distributor (don't remember which one - it was a couple years ago), but I asked him to get out of that one after reading more about the company. We're not currently invested in any food producers/distributors. He joked about buying stock in Monsanto and ConAgra and I told him I didn't realize he was unhappy with the marriage - we could get counseling...

 

[old fashioned]

We don't own any stock at the moment & don't have any future plans in that area(atleast not directly)...it's just not something we're interested in at the moment. Though I think it's great that others like yourself do.
I figure that our purchasing dollar is our way of supporting certain companies....or lack of. As in I won't knowingly buy from Siminis, Monsanto or Tyson & others and haven't for a few years now. Those companies, their investors, their research & practices WON'T benefit from me or anyone I can convince to stay away. And that, to me atleast, can send a strong message in itself.

Just sayin

 

[Marianne]

We're a partnership household here. I invest in ourselves (garden, SS stuff), DH's department is the stock market.

We had some money in Waddell and Reed that did very little overall for 20 years. Shame on us for leaving it there.

We took our money out, tried it our way. Lost some, made some...still came out ahead of Waddell and Reed.

After a lot of research, DH joined Motley Fool and by following their advice, we're doing a lot better than what we did on our own. Even when the stocks were dropping, DH said we still had better than a 30% increase. He chose TD Ameritrade to handle our trades. They had an office in Kansas City (where he travels for work), available by phone, very helpful.

One of the lessons that we learned the hard way was to leave the emotion out of it. We invested in a company that designed and built huge 'microwave' type ovens that could break tires and other petroleum products back to their basic compounds to be reused, keeping them out of landfills, etc. They had a contract with Canada, France...million dollar systems. I loved the idea! But in the end, we lost $$ as the stock ended up dropping like a stone..and stayed there. Same with a couple other stocks that we loved and were passionate about as they fit our core beliefs. But....in the end? It wasn't what we hoped it would be.

We have Panel stock that's done really well that would fit your perameters (47% increase as of today, according to DH). They make organic, light emitting diodes (OLEDs), used on flat panel screens. They're the developers of the flexible screen technology.

The bottom line for us is to hopefully make some money as retirement is right around the corner. If we don't, that's life. We do a lot of SS stuff, and we'll still eat, have a roof over our heads and enjoy life.

 

[FarmerJamie]

One of the lessons that we learned the hard way was to leave the emotion out of it. We invested in a company that designed and built huge 'microwave' type ovens that could break tires and other petroleum products back to their basic compounds to be reused, keeping them out of landfills, etc. They had a contract with Canada, France...million dollar systems. I loved the idea! But in the end, we lost $$ as the stock ended up dropping like a stone..and stayed there. Same with a couple other stocks that we loved and were passionate about as they fit our core beliefs. But....in the end? It wasn't what we hoped it would be.

Thanks, marianne, I agree.

I don't know how to put this out here in any way but bluntly directly, no offense intended to anyone.

Is the purpose of the investing to make money or feel good about owning parts of companies we "like"?

This is the heart of the discussion....

After the initial stock offering, the company really doesn't directly benefit by you buying the stock, they get their money when the stock is first released. Buying up (or selling for that matter) stock doesn't give that company improved chances of succeeding (or failing). Yes, there is a component of the stock price increasing that allows them to raise more capital by releasing more stock, I know that. But the day-to-day price of the stock is driven by the perceived performance of the company, not the other way around.

Yes, direct stock ownership does give you voting rights at shareholder meetings, but unless you're a big fish in the pond, your voice really doesn't matter.

Years ago, DW wanted to invest a little money in the stock of a company she really supported and liked. When I pulled the financial performance for the previous couple of years and the returns, she realized that getting a 1% return just to "own a piece" of the company wasn't worth it.

Bottom line, I don't think "investing" in a company you like really helps the company succeed unless you can get in on the initial stock offering or IPO. Most little investors can't do that.

So do you want to make money or own parts of companies you support. Some folks will probably chose a middle ground and accept a smaller return - there aren't a lot of good choices out there.

(thanks, Marianne, ....FJ wanders off to research PANL...)

ETA: changed to actual stock ticker code

 

[Wifezilla]

We were in the market. Hubby was even a stock broker back in the 80's. We wouldn't touch the market right now with a 10 foot pole. Too many shenanigans right now.

Here is an article hubby wrote about it a little while ago...
http://www.southsidebusiness.com/southside/index.php/news/1-is-the-stock-market-going-out-of-style

Any investments i make now will be in land, food, durable goods and metals...some copper...but i think my best investment right now would be lead

 

[AnnaRaven]

Nice to see another Motley Fool follower here. DH and I have been following them for several years and actually paid a membership a couple years ago.

We invest to make money for our retirement. However, all else being equal, I prefer to buy stocks in a company that is doing stuff I like than one that is doing stuff I don't like. It's certainly not the primary criteria but it is a consideration (along with P/E, Price to Book, etc etc) The practical reason is that a company with ethical business practices (including things like humane treatment of animals, and organic, sustainable food production and the like) is less likely to get hit by something like the salmonella egg outbreak - and less likely to have their shares tank over it.

We have a variety of stocks - large cap, small cap, international, and most sectors are pretty well covered, except food right now. That's why I'm wondering about food stocks. DH is convinced, for example, with the recession going on for a while, that generics are going to do better than the conventional brand names. The popular move toward organics is also likely to spur growth for some companies.

So I was curious what food-sector stocks folks here have in their portfolios.

 

[FarmerChick]

I am in alot of stocks right now and good thing is all mine are bouncing back and making money!


Except for one loser stock, and I lost good (OW) I have made tons of money in stocks. I do not pick from feel good investments...I am all about the cash and financial and business. I chance money to make money. I never chance without good research etc and good companies that are not a flash in the pan.

(But I did make great money on a flash in the pan stock once and got out right before it tanked....lucky on that one LOL)

Made close to $40K on Tony's stock when they were bought out by Carlyle Group. that was a nice addition to my retirement...and believe me I know we need a nice sized retirement, cause the way things are going, 20 yrs a loaf of bread will be $10 LOL



but I did recently sell some stocks not regaining. I will take the small losses on income tax etc. so it sure helps anyway. I also didn't want to watch and take care of these stocks cause it wasn't worth my time.


I am currently checking around for new good stock. Nothing has hit my fancy but I am sure something will hit me and when it seems great I will invest again.

No hurry....to possibly lose money HAHA...I take my time about stocks and go for the kill if I can.