Originally, I was interested in Osisko since it has dropped by three quarters since 2011 and it seemed cheap. However, the company consistently uses aggressive accounting so it’s not as cheap as it seems. Overall, Osisko is hard for me to evaluate since (1) I don’t trust the promotional management and (2) there isn’t enough information being disclosed. I also prefer to invest in management teams that are really good at generating value.
stocks
Avid (AVID): how to lose money when you’re the market leader
Avid develops the software used to make the majority of Hollywood movies, TV shows, and other high-end film/TV productions. In professional high-end markets, they are the #1 leader. Yet this company manages to lose money.
Mistakes that institutional investors should have avoided
Here are two: RX Gold and Veris Gold
For-profit dialysis: an unethical industry / DaVita (DVA)
I’ve been researching the dialysis industry because Berkshire Hathaway owns DaVita (DVA), one of the largest dialysis providers in the US. However, I’m not quite sure why Berkshire Hathaway owns this stock. The for-profits are rarely rewarded for creating value while there are large financial rewards for unethical behaviour. Buffett has been vocal about not owning Lorillard (a tobacco company) so I don’t see why he would be ok with owning DaVita. It is possible that Buffett hasn’t researched the company much as Ted Weschler (probably) made the decision to buy it.
Historically, DaVita has been very rewarding for shareholders ever since Kent Thiry saved it from bankruptcy and turned it around. However, his integrity strikes me as questionable and I’m of the opinion that entrusting your money with unethical people is not a good idea.
Canada Lithium (CLQ.TO): Why I’d avoid this stock
It boils down to this: I think the company is lying about its project’s economics.
Berkshire Hathaway’s 1989 letter to shareholders
In my opinion, Warren Buffett’s 1989 shareholder letter is one of his most significant ones as it has his greatest insights buried in there.
The drybulk shipping and offshore drilling industries
I don’t think that the shipping and drilling industries are great places to look for unusual returns. Over the entire boom and bust cycle, investors generally do not make much money. Historically, the way to make money has been to time the boom and bust cycles in the industry.