Entity Dossier
entity

Steel production companies

Strategic Concepts & Mechanics

Relationship LeverageAble Men Inside Bad Systems
Operating PrincipleCapital From Self-Denial Alone
Signature MoveEmotional Quarantine Before Every Decision
Decision FrameworkCrowd Madness as Readable Signal
Cornerstone MoveFacts First, Then Ride the Current
Strategic PatternSupply and Demand Over Government Control
Risk DoctrineTwo and Two Still Make Four
Signature MoveDecide Then Act Instantly, No Wobbling
Cornerstone MoveCommittee of One Dictator Authority
Signature MoveSell Too Soon, Buy Too Late
Signature MoveReduce Commitments When Doubtful

Primary Evidence

"THE FACTS A. AS INDICATING THE FUTURE Money market, Bond market, Savings Fund Deposits, Insurance being sold. Federal Reserve Ratio and operations, Commercial loans. Yields of stocks including and excluding “rights” compared to bond yields and time money. Volume of new security offerings. Ratio stock exchange loans to price of stocks. Volume of stock transactions. ---------------------------- Trend of commodity prices (watch supply of gold and credit facilities). Crop situation Political situation; domestic and international. Bank clearings; Railway Traffic:—A falling off in tonnage is delayed for considerable time after depression begins; while an increase precedes recovery. Orders:—Construction permits and contracts awarded. Steel production orders. Automobile production orders. Volume Retail Trade:—Department and chain stores. Employment Foreign Trade B. HISTORY:—Inventories and instalment purchases. Production: Volume manufacturing, including electric power. Volume mining. Earnings. C. INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES: Is it a growing and standard business (not experimental) Is competition becoming too keen. Is it a dominant corporation. Is it experimenting. ONE MUST BE THOROUGH AS TO FACTS. PSYCHOLOGY Nearly all men are controlled by their emotions: they become alternately over optimistic and over pessimistic. After you have your facts and opinions, wait for the current. Have an opinion on what the market should do, but don’t decide what the market will do. The more the public becomes stock minded the greater it’s [sic] power. Don’t try to go against the mob on the one hand, and don’t go with it in it’s [sic] excesses. Don’t sell short if it is bullish, but don’t stay long if there is a chance that it may turn and rend you, and conversely. In a panic the best stocks may not be salable at any reasonable price. Be alert for anything which the public will greet with enthusiasm or fear. When the market is high beware of thinking of things that will make it go higher; think of adverse possibilities, and remember history; and conversely. Watch for the main currents, but be fearful of too much company. “Stop losses and let profits run.” In general run quickly. If you fail to do so hang on, reducing commitments. Always reduce commitments if doubtful. While you should act promptly when you make up your mind, irrespective of market action, nevertheless, you must at times consider the action of the market, in making your plans. In comparing any situation with a previous one be sure you have the facts of both, so make allowances in psychology. Over action is always followed by overreaction. The Unforeseen:—Always make allowances for chance. Keep a financial and mental and physical reserve. ----------------------------"

Source:Bernard Baruch

Appears In Volumes