The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed.

GRAHAM REVIEW Graham's original work itself is fantastic, if you take the time to absorb it and understand it. It took me two reads before I really felt like I grasped it well. I don't need to write an elaborate review discussing this book for people to know it is obviously an investment classic; it has Warren Buffett's full endorsement which is the reason a lot of people opt to read it in the first place. The practical advice offered is timeless. In particular I found Chapter 1 (the difference between speculation and investing), Chapter 8 (managing your emotions), Chapter 10 (discerning the advice from others) and Chapter 20 (having a margin of safety) to be enlightening, as those four chapters were probably the most useful to me personally. The advice in the very first chapter regarding the difference between investing and speculating gets lost on a lot of people today, as anything and everything that involves stocks, bonds, options, or futures seems to be categorized as investing. The portion of Chapter 8 that discusses managing your emotions is arguably the most difficult for people to actually implement in the real world, despite being a very important concept. Graham truly makes a compelling case in favor of a value approach, which as I will discuss later in this review, is inherently reliant on the belief that investments can and do become undervalued. Buffett notes that the most significant chapters for him were 8 and 20. I agree, but also add chapters 1 and 10 to that shortened list. For others that might be different. A unique thing that I appreciated about Graham is that he discusses two different ways of investing, depending on how much time you have to put into the matter. For those who have too many other things going on to put the time into it, he advocates "defensive investing," which basically focuses on safer, larger companies and is a little more bond-heavy. And for those who want to put a lot more work into it, he advocates "enterprise investing," where he lays out a more rigorous approach to value investing. While the enterprising method does indeed yield greater returns over the long run, there is nothing wrong with taking the defensive approach, particularly for those who aren't able to commit enough time in order to make the enterprising method effective. There are a few minor areas that are no longer relevant as they were in Graham's day, such as his suggestion that one should use a local bank to handle transfers of stock certificates... when it is basically all online these days. But if one reads it and remains aware that it was written in the early 1970s, then these little quirks will not bother them. I will also add that Graham places an emphasis on dividend maintenance that is probably less relevant today. In his day, strong companies actually paid out about 1/3 to 2/3 of their surpluses, whereas these days that is far less common. Graham's followers, including Buffett and Klarman, do not emphasize this so heavily (Klarman has gone as far as saying that looking at dividend policy is almost useless in today's era), although it is still probably relevant to look at the continuity of dividends especially for "defensive" investors. It should be added that while Graham has an almost aloof/academic air about him, he is equally humble and sincere, never underestimating the intelligence of his readers. And for those occasional uppity words that he uses, there is always a dictionary nearby. It may take more than a cursory read, but if you are patient, then this book is a gold mine. As a result, I give Graham 5 stars. ZWEIG REVIEW Jason Zweig's commentary really deserves its own separate review, as this is basically two different books. Throughout MUCH (not all) of the book, I would have given Zweig 4 or 5 stars, as his commentary adds to the discussion and thought process of Graham. However, Zweig departs from Graham in a very fundamental way in three portions of the book, causing me to believe that Zweig either truly disagrees with or otherwise does not fully understand what Graham's argument is. Zweig essentially subscribes to the "Random Walker" camp of those supporting a Semi-Strong version of Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and believes that one is simply speculating when choosing individual stocks instead of index funds. Zweig lets his own views seep into the book slowly, chapter by chapter, until it becomes more obvious that he is not a value investor. Graham did not subscribe to this relatively recent view (only existing since the 1960s) in his approach to VALUE investing. The entire premise of value investing is that securities sometimes do become undervalued, which is rare/impossible according to proponents such as Zweig. Though to my knowledge Graham never wrote a piece articulating his stance, his actions were to the contrary of what Zweig seems to believe his position was. It's also notable that his contemporaries/students blatantly countered the EMH viewpoint (see Buffett and "Superinvestors" below; see also Phil Fisher in "Developing an Investment Philosophy" chapter 4, entitled "Is the Market Efficient?"). (1) In the first and most notable departure for Zweig, there is a portion of the book where Graham says "[i]t would be rather strange if - with all the brains at work professionally in the stock market - there could be approaches which are both sound and relatively unpopular. Yet our own career and reputation have been based on this unlikely fact." (Graham, p. 380). If one reads the version in its proper context, then they will realize rather quickly that Graham is arguing that this unlikely fact of the markets actually being inefficient much of the time is actually TRUE, and is thus a compelling reason to study value investing. However... Zweig goes on in the commentary to say that Graham is pointing out that the market is efficient, and discusses the definition of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). This is clearly NOT what Graham was saying... rather the opposite. (2) In the second notable departure, there is a commentary chapter of Zweig's where he discusses how to effectively manage your portfolio. In the chapter itself, Graham discussed stock selection. Zweig, however, goes on to say that people should not actually pick stocks with more than 10% of their money, as doing so is akin to speculating, and should instead place all or nearly all of their funds into index funds that can come close to tying the market because of the EMH. Even though this advice MIGHT (arguably) be relevant for the "defensive" investor that Graham discusses (those who do not have the time or want to put the time into managing their own portfolio), this advice is a blatant misrepresentation of what Graham advises for "enterprising" investors (those who want to actively practice value investing) in such a fundamental way as to make me want to give Zweig 1 star instead of 5. But due to my holistic review, Zweig gets more than 1. (3) Zweig places an emphasis on diversification that I don't think Graham fully intended. Graham discusses the value of diversification throughout the book by taking multiple positions. Note though that Graham does NOT advocate buying everything...simply holding a few varied positions. But Zweig interprets this concept in such a way as to, in my humble opinion, advocate over-diversification... which is effectively nothing more than buying so many things that you should have just purchased an index fund to begin with. Collectively, Zweig's most significant contribution to the book was simply putting some of Graham's now-dated statements into context. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with believing in EMH in the markets the way that Zweig does, per se. But I am harsh on Zweig because advocating EMH and claiming that any stock is "speculative" is a blatant misrepresentation of Graham's views and stance. Despite departing from Graham quite fundamentally in two or three areas, Zweig mostly added a beneficial/informative conversation. Thus I hesitantly give him 3 stars. BUFFETT REVIEW Warren Buffett has a brief introduction towards the beginning of the book that tells what readers can expect from reading his mentor, Graham. As already mentioned, he places additional emphasis on chapters 8 and 20. But more importantly, there is a compelling essay/speech by Buffett in the back of the book that is called "The Superinvestors of Graham and Doddsville" that was given at Columbia University in 1984. You don't have to buy the book to read this essay, as it is free on the internet in a few different places. But it is arguably the best rebuttal to the Efficient Market Hypothesis that anyone has ever put out, and I don't know of any EMH proponents that have ever addressed Buffett's argument. In essence, Buffett points out that many different versions of investing that have little in common with each other beyond a decidedly long-term value-driven approach have all yielded positive results over time that have had decidedly superior returns to the market. There is unfortunately little written on this topic by actual practitioners, but Buffett's argument is worth a read. It's a definite 5 stars. CONCLUSION As a result, I give this whole book collectively 5 stars. You can just ignore the areas where Zweig errs, sometimes rather substantially. You could safely ignore his additional chapters/commentary altogether, although I think it is useful to read for putting certain portions of Graham's writing into perspective. Entire book is recommended; but if you don't read the whole thing, at least read Chapters 1, 8, 10, and 20, as well as Buffett's essay. It's a great addition to any investment library. I know that adding those up rounds to 4, but it is Graham's book after all (much as Zweig might wish it was his)... so it's 5 stars.

The book "The Intelligent Investor" by Ben Graham is widely regarded as a classic in the field of value investing. The author's comprehensive approach to investing provides a foundation for those seeking to understand the principles of value investing. The book is considered a must-read for all investors, from novice to seasoned, who are looking to enhance their investment knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the stock market. In the book, Ben Graham introduces three key principles of value investing: the idea of "Mr. Market", a value-oriented and disciplined approach to investing, and the "margin of safety" concept. The "Mr. Market" concept refers to the idea that the stock market behaves like a casino, where the daily price changes can be unpredictable and volatile. The author argues that investors should not be swayed by these daily price changes and instead should only pay attention to the market price to the extent that it suits their investment strategy. Ben Graham also outlines several characteristics of "value" stocks, including stability of earnings, dividend record, and a moderate price to earnings ratio. These characteristics are still relevant today and are crucial for investors who are looking to identify potential investment opportunities in the stock market. The "margin of safety" concept is the idea that the investment should have a higher chance of profit than loss and the author recommends a diversified portfolio to minimize the risk of loss. The book contains a commentary and an epilogue by Warren Buffett, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time. In his commentary, Warren Buffett emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles of value investing, and how they can change the way investors look at the world. The book has been summarized by the reviewer as an enjoyable and inspiring experience, and it provides a valuable and timeless guide for all investors. In conclusion, "The Intelligent Investor" by Ben Graham is a must-read for all investors, regardless of their level of experience. The author's comprehensive and timeless approach to investing provides a foundation for investors who are looking to enhance their investment knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the stock market. By incorporating the principles of value investing, investors can make informed decisions and have a better chance of achieving their investment goals.

Since I am retired and trying to manage my own portfolio, I figured this would be the book to read. I know how to pick 4 or 5 star funds and diversify well enough, but I don't have enough theory or any formal financial background at all. I was looking for a classic book on the subject, one that a financial novice could understand, and decided to read this one. Benjamin Graham is known as the Father of Value Investing and was the mentor of Warren Buffett, the most successful investor of all time. Warren Buffett called the Intelligent Investor `the best book about investing ever written.' He believed in defensive, value investing, and famously summarized his philosphy as follows: "An investment operation is one which, upon thorough analysis, promises safety of principal and a satisfactory return. Operations not meeting these requirements are speculative." I found that `value investing' means that you buy only something that is being sold below its actual value, like buying dollar bills for 40 cents each, he said. One should take the quantitative (statistical) instead of the qualitative (predictive) approach, since no one can forecast the future anyway. Look at what a security is really worth in a business-like way, just like you would do for any purchase, ignoring what others might think. Do your homework is what he is saying! According to Graham, almost everybody, me included, does investing wrong. You are supposed to buy low and sell high, but most folks buy when the price is going up and sell when it is coming down. `Mr. Market' is very emotional and encourages stampedes toward whatever looks good at the moment, and away from investments that seem spent. This very act of buying and selling creates updrafts and downdrafts in the market which causes disparity between what the price is and what the price should be for a given investment. Eventually the true value of an investment comes to fore when things settle down. The maxim he uses for this is: the market is a voting machine in the short run and a weighing machine in the long run. The investors `vote' for an investment which drives the price up; later, the investors find out what the investment is really worth, and the price settles into it's real value. He cited convincing examples in the tech-bubble era of the late 90's where stock prices ascended to ridiculously high levels and then came crashing down to almost nothing, and their stock shares became like Confederate money, worth only slightly more than the paper they were printed on. In general, his theory runs counter to the speculative, get-richer-quick investing that seems standard for most of us. Stay away from gimmicks like market-timing and formula investing (chasing after perceived patterns in the market). Be boring, he says, and go for something steady and sure. Don't try to beat the market; just try to keep up with it. If you don't want to do the necessary homework, buy index funds. He touts ignored `secondary' or `unsexy' companies, the ones that don't have big names, or ones that produce boring products. It was interesting that when Graham was asked why he was unafraid of losing his edge by proclaiming value investing, he joked that his books are' the most over-read and under-used books on finances ever written'. If, indeed, everyone did value investing, there would be no bargains left out there. We are talking about something that works, but that no one wants to use! A cornerstone of the defensive investing philosophy involves building in a good margin of safety by buying investments at as far below actual worth as possible. He also talks a lot about managing risk by patience and self-control; he says: `Don't just do something, stand there!' In some sense, this book is more about the person making the investments than the investments themselves. In essence, if you want to know what risk is, look in the mirror! In other words, it's not about how much risk you can tolerate; it is about how much investigation you are willing to do. He mentioned Pascal's Wager as a graphic example of how to think of the consequences when taking on risk - - - if one wagers as to whether God exists or not, he is better off betting He does; otherwise, though the rewards could be a little better, the consequences could be eternally worse! (This was, to me, a fairly heavy-handed but instructive parallel.) Watch out for the shenanigans of the accountants when you read the financial reports. Words and phrases like pro-forma, nonrecurring charges, special charges, and good will could be euphemisms for a smoke screen. I also learned the phrase `kitchen sink accounting', which puts all possible losses into one year, which distorts the picture but gives good tax results for the company. The lesson is to not ignore the footnotes and to read the statements to the end. Consistent with his philosophy, Graham does not believe in the prevalent Efficient Market Theory (or EMH), which says that investments have the correct prices because there is so much, widespread information readily available on every investment. He basically believes, and gives many good examples, that the public is not interested in digging into the nuts-and-bolts financial information, but is only interested in what is popular. In a word, an investor needs to make sure he understands what he is investing in, and make business decisions instead of emotional decisions about it. He says that the finances are really not very complicated, and it's more about character than brain. The first edition of this book, written in 1950 and was revised several times before Graham died in 1976. Since it was a little dated as far as market history is concerned, Jason Zweig wrote commentaries on each chapter to bring it into the 21st century. Graham, as a product of his day, talked mostly about stocks and bonds, and less about funds, and he over-emphasized, in my opinion, the importance of dividends. Zweig says that diversity has replaced value today. Also, dividends are no big deal today for most investors since the total return (NAV + dividends) is what really matters. Another thing is that Graham lived through the Depression and saw that it took 25 years (to 1954) for the market to reach the levels of pre-Crash 1929; this might have made him defensive. I'm glad I read the book. It gave me perspective on how the market works, though I'll still stick with diversity over value, especially since I invest almost entirely in funds. He did not have to scare me off on individual stocks, but he did convince me to do more homework and to try to be more business-like in my financial decisions, and - - - to look in the mirror first.

This is the 4th edition of Benjamin Graham's landmark book for the investing public, called "The Intelligent Investor." However, it's been "updated" for 2003 by Jason Zweig, a senior editor and writer at CNN/Money, and overall I think this detracts from, rather than improves, the book. I rate Graham's book 5 stars and Zweig's contributions get 3 stars: overall, 4 stars. First off, there are 3 contributors to this book: Buffett, Graham and Zweig. Warren Buffett, the superinvestor who heads Berkshire Hathaway, is frequently pointed out as one of the world's great investors/stock pickers and also as Ben Graham's star student. Buffett's preface to this book consists of 2 pages: a biographical essay he wrote about Graham in 1976, saying nice things about Graham's personal qualities; and a recommendation to pay particular attention to Chapters 8 and 20. (Buffett, incidentally, cannot be honestly said to have been influenced by this book; his bible was Graham's landmark 1940 textbook for the professional security analyst, called "Security Analysis.") So Buffettologists should know that there will be little to interest them here. Graham's text is level-headed and sane, and makes for wonderful reading. His distinction between speculators and investors, his way of viewing the markets, and his methodical approach to considering the inherent value of investments is required reading. In my opinion, any non-professional who's interested in investing money could benefit from reading it. Enough said about that. However, Graham's book makes up only about 1/3 of the present volume. The format is the following: Graham writes a 6 page chapter; Zweig pads that chapter out to 8 pages with giant footnotes; and then Zweig appends a 10-15 page "commentary" to each chapter. Now who exactly is Jason Zweig? I'd never heard of him. His qualifications are very different from Graham's and Buffett's; he is a writer for CNN/Money magazine. I don't consider him to be an investment professional. Unfortunately, this shows in his writing. Whereas Graham's text is even-handed, methodical, and rational, Zweig comes across as hysterical, emotional, and shrill. His annoying habit of flinging superlatives around (he frequently mentions Buffett as "the greatest investor of all time", and calls Graham the "greatest practical investment thinker of all time") is annoying and adds little to understanding. But much worse is his incessant habit of putting words into Graham's mouth. About 3 or 4 chapters in I began to chafe at this. "Who is this Jason Zweig exactly," I thought, "and how exactly does he claim to know how Graham would have analyzed the tech bubble of 1999-2000?" As I started paying closer attention, I began to feel that Zweig was making comments - under the guise of "updating" Graham's ideas - that Graham himself would never have endorsed. This bothered me. I feel that, in a way, I was baited with Graham's name into buying a book by Jason Zweig, and it's not the book I thought I was buying. To be fair, Zweig's commentary is often interesting. His commentary on Chapter 12 has nothing to do with Graham's chapter (on analyzing per-share earnings) at all; rather, it is a scathing, well-presented, easily understood, and fairly detailed analysis of certain examples of accounting irregularities that contributed to the tech blowup and led to Sarbanes-Oxley. (I wouldn't be surprised to learn Zweig had written a book of his own about this topic; if so, I may buy it.) But this only further strengthens the feeling, present always, that Zweig is less interested in explaining Graham's text and more interested in pushing his own agenda and ways of investment thinking. Now for the casual reader who enjoys CNN/Money's style and format as their principal source of investment advice, they may truly enjoy and benefit from this. But I wanted to read Graham's historical text as a whole and interpret it myself; Zweig's constant, harping interpolations severely detracted from my ability to do this. Finally, there is little in the first 10 chapters of this book that has not become near-dogma for the conservative, value-oriented small investor, repeated ad nauseam in the pages of Money, Forbes, the Motley Fool, and elsewhere. The meat of the book is in the last half, where Graham touches - lightly - on issues that the conservative investor may be interested in valuing, and how to do it right. Frankly I was expecting him to go into more depth on these topics, and I will probably be picking up a copy of either The Interpretation of Financial Statements or Security Analysis (the 1940 edition seems to be the consensus pick) to learn more about his thoughts on these matters.

This book is light reading compared to Ben Graham's seminal tome, Security Analysis. It's easier to read, and shorter. It's also more up to date. Highly recommended for investors of any stripe, value or growth. The appendix, from Warren Buffett's speech at Columbia University is particularly entertaining, as he debunks academia's love affair with efficient market theory. Jason Zweig, an obvious Graham disciple, does a fantastic job bringing the book's principles to life through modern examples. The only grating thing is his constant derision of brokers or anyone that actually gets paid to manage money. (full disclosure: I'm an analyst now and was a broker for 10 years). Ben Graham clearly invested in the stock market during a period of hustlers, crooks, crashes, and frauds. Brokers, investment bankers and analysts back then were not much more than fast-talking salesmen. Wait a minute, that sounds just like the way things are today on Wall Street! Things may not have changed as much as we would like to think. Due to his travails as an investor in difficult markets, Ben Graham's investment style evolved into a systematic, logical approach which became the basis for value investing. In "The Intelligent Investor", Graham lays out the foundation of value investing by three introducing key principles: the idea of "Mr. Market", a value-oriented disciplined approach to investing, and the "margin of safety" concept. "Mr. Market." The stock market on a daily basis resembles a casino, only without the comfort of free cocktails. Watching the stock ticker is like having a business partner that is totally schizophrenic; Graham calls him "Mr. Market." One day he loves the business and wants to pay a ridiculous price to buy out your half. The next day, all hope is lost, and he wants to sell you his portion for pennies on the dollar. Graham argues that this daily liquidity is an advantage that most investors turn against themselves: (p. 203) "But note this important fact: The true investor scarcely ever is forced to sell his shares, and at all other times he is free to disregard the current price quotation. He need pay attention to it and act upon it only to the extent that it suits his book, and no more. Thus the investor who permits himself to be stampeded or unduly worried by unjustified market declines in his holdings is perversely transforming his basic advantage into a basic disadvantage. That man would be better off if his stocks had no market quotation at all; for he would then be spared the mental anguish caused him by other persons' mistakes of judgment." This is profound. It's not a question of whether our stocks will drop; they will: the trick is how we respond to that eventuality. Ben Graham's Stock selection for the defensive investor. Graham lays out some important characteristics of "value" stocks. (p. 348). Some of the metrics are dated, but the principles are still valid. Even deep value investing today would seem like GARP investing to Ben Graham. Investors are now more focused on future earnings than they were in his day, and valuations reflect that. Graham recommends: a. Adequate size of the enterprise (>$100M revenue, old figure) b. Sufficiently strong financial condition (2:1 current ratio) c. Earnings stability (some earnings every year last 10 years) d. Dividend record (uninterrupted payments for at least 20 years) e. Earnings growth (1/3 increase in per share EPS past 10 years) f. Moderate price/earnings ratio (P/E < 15x average last 3 years EPS) g. Moderate ratio of price to assets (price/book < 1 1/2 times) h. Overall stock portfolio, when acquired, should have an overall earnings /price ratio- the reverse of the P/E ratio - at least as high as the current high-grade bond rate. A P/E no higher than 13.3 against an AA bond yield of 7.5% Margin of Safety as the central concept of value investing. This is an investment rule that was written by a man who had been deeply bruised by bear markets. I believe he came up with this by learning from his losses. When the market turns into a storm of feces, like it inevitably will, if the stock has no earnings to rely on, you have nothing to grab onto. You can't make yourself stay in the stock when the price is down. Graham says: (p. 515) "The margin of safety is the difference between the percentage rate of the earnings on the stock at the price you pay for it and the rate of interest on bonds, and that is to absorb unsatisfactory developments". Furthermore he writes: (p. 518) "The buyer of bargain issues places particular emphasis on the ability of the investment to withstand adverse developments. " You can and will still lose money in the market with value-oriented investing, but according to Graham: (p. 518) "The margin guarantees only that he has a better chance of profit than for loss-not that loss is impossible." Conclusion So that's it, those are the three basic points of the book, but you should still buy it and read it, it's a very enjoyable experience, Shakespeare for the investing crowd. Despite being a realist, Ben Graham wasn't a total pessimist. Late in the book Graham makes a point that is one of my favorites: (p. 524) "A fourth business rule is more positive: "Have the courage of your knowledge and experience. If you have formed a conclusion from the facts and if you know your judgment is sound, act on it- even though others may hesitate or differ. You are neither right nor wrong because the crowd disagrees with you. You are right because your data and reasoning are right. Similarly, in the world of securities, courage becomes the supreme virtue after adequate knowledge and a tested judgment are at hand. "

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham is an indispensable masterpiece that has stood the test of time as the definitive guide to value investing. Originally published in 1949, this book continues to be revered by investors, financial experts, and business enthusiasts alike. Graham's expertise and wisdom shine through every page as he imparts invaluable insights into the art and science of investing. His emphasis on adopting a rational and disciplined approach towards investing sets the foundation for successful long-term wealth creation. One of the key strengths of this book lies in Graham's ability to demystify complex investment concepts and make them accessible to readers of all levels of expertise. He introduces the concept of value investing, which involves analyzing the intrinsic value of a stock and buying it when it is priced below its true worth. Graham's emphasis on the margin of safety—an important principle that helps protect investors against market fluctuations—continues to be a cornerstone of intelligent investing. The Intelligent Investor doesn't just focus on stock selection; it also provides invaluable guidance on risk management, diversification, and avoiding common pitfalls. Graham emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough fundamental analysis, including assessing a company's financial health, earnings stability, and competitive advantage. He encourages investors to adopt a patient and long-term approach, resisting the urge to speculate or time the market. Throughout the book, Graham shares numerous case studies and real-life examples, reinforcing his principles and illustrating how they have withstood the test of time. These anecdotes provide practical applications of his concepts and make the material relatable and actionable. While the financial landscape has evolved significantly since the book's initial publication, Graham's principles remain highly relevant. The Intelligent Investor serves as a timeless guide, helping investors navigate the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the market. In conclusion, The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham is an essential read for anyone interested in investing. Graham's timeless principles and insightful strategies continue to shape the investment world and empower readers with the tools needed to make informed decisions. Whether you're a novice or an experienced investor, this book will equip you with the knowledge and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial markets successfully.

If you want to read the Bible of investing, this is the book that opens the doors to understanding the fascinating world of finance and value investing. Benjamin Graham explains the principles with clarity, depth, and timeless wisdom. Every chapter helps you build the mindset of a true investor — focused on patience, discipline, and rational thinking rather than emotion. It’s not a quick read, but it’s one that will completely transform the way you see money and long-term wealth.

Good book if you like numbers