Author: Andrew Page

The Best Asset Class, The Hardest Journey

According to Vanguard, here’s what the various asset class returns look like since 1991: Kind of what you’d probably expect; the further you move up the ‘risk spectrum’ the better the average returns. Sure, the differences don’t appear huge, but they add up over time. But you know this. It’s no doubt part of the reason you’re here. So this […]

The Hard Work Of Investing

One of the most appealing things about investing, at least in principle, is that instead of working for your money, your money is working for you. But don’t fool yourself; if you’re going to be a stock-picker you’ve got to be prepared to put in the hard yards. Sifting through hundreds (if not thousands) of individual companies, identifying the best candidates, […]

Are Small Caps Back?

A recent article in the AFR proclaimed “Small caps are ripe for a comeback“, citing the relative underperformance of this space in recent years, and the potential for easier credit conditions later in 2024. It’d certainly be welcomed by those of us that play in this space. As discussed below, the Strawman Index has kept pace with the broader market […]

Cash Flow Conundrums

Negative cash flows usually set off alarm bells for investors, and for good reason. At the end of the day cash is the lifeblood of a business. Still, a closer look at things may just reveal a company that is sensibly investing in its future growth. If you can go beyond the surface-level numbers, and build some confidence in the capital allocation decisions of […]

Poor Charlie’s Almanack: Summary

Charlie Munger, rest his soul, was one of the greatest investors that ever lived. Much of his timeless wisdom was captured in the 2005 book Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Peter D. Kaufman, which Strawman member Solvetheriddle summarised for our members. Do yourself a favour, and read the book. But if you want the tl;dr version, read on! These are a […]

The Big Ideas

Wall Street columnist Jason Zweig once remarked that his job is to essentially write the same thing 50 to 100 times a year, but in a manner that keeps it fresh for his readers. The reason, as Zweig points out, is that while markets are in a constant state of flux, the big ideas seldom change. “..while people need good advice, […]

Bitcoin: Tips For The ‘Crypto-Curious’

At Strawman we’re all about small-cap investing. “Crypto”, in the main, isn’t much of a focus for most of our members. Magic internet tokens are almost antithetical to any notion of sound, time-honoured investment principles. And it’s hard to think of an industry that has a worse history of blow-ups, Ponzis and grift. But with Bitcoin now back at all time highs […]

Are Small-Caps Back?

The market always offers up something of a mixed bag each results season but, on balance, at least among the most popular stocks on Strawman, what we’ve seen so far has been rather encouraging. Not so much in terms of the immediate market reaction — though we’ve certainly seen some big moves — but in terms of what these numbers say […]

Strawman Premium

Strawman is a private online investment club for those that are serious about taking control of their financial future. As part of our inner circle, Strawman Premium members enjoy exclusive access to: The portfolios, trades, research & valuations of all Premium members. The trades and composition of the Strawman Index. Live & interactive online monthly meetings, featuring company deep dives, […]

Computer Says No: a (mis)adventure In Property

Do you like highly illiquid assets that involve significant trade frictions and costs? Do you like dealing with an army of mostly useless, self-serving middlemen? Do you like assets that require extreme leverage and offer pitiful yields? Welcome to Australian property. I’m currently in the process of trying to secure a house, and I need to get a few things off […]