Become a Member

What is Stock Gumshoe, and Who Are These Authors?

By Travis Johnson, Stock Gumshoe, October 22, 2020

This is a general explanation of the world of Stock Gumshoe, I update it every few years.  No big news here, but we have new folks coming through the door every day… so, FYI:

Stock Gumshoe’s primary reason for existence is to help investors think for themselves, and to avoid swallowing the hyperbole-laden investment ideas that are touted and teased by the investment newsletters and other pundits. That’s not because the ideas are bad — sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t, in my judgement — but because the influence of marketing and group-think short-circuits our ability to think critically about almost anything, and that goes double for investments and money.

So although we offer something a bit extra to our paid members — a bit more of my opinion, and my more thoughtful and more fully researched writeups of stocks that I own or am considering, a few other tidbits here and there and, in the case of other authors or columnists we might feature from time to time, some outside perspective — I am a strong believer in individual research, in open discussion and debate about stocks and valuations, and in the importance of critical thinking for investors.

Our paid membership, the folks who I call the Stock Gumshoe Irregulars, was started not because we have something brilliant or secret to sell to you — but because, soon after I started writing these teaser solutions and sharing them with people, readers started sending us money. I didn’t know what to do with it, but after a few months of checks in the mail we started more formally inviting people to be paid members to help support the future of Stock Gumshoe, allow me to invest in the site… and, in exchange, get a bit more from Stock Gumshoe as a reward. The Friday File and the other writings I share with our paid members are my way of saying that although we value our free readers greatly, I promise to spend at least one day a week writing just for the Irregulars as a way to, well, repay them for helping Stock Gumshoe to survive and thrive.

So in that vein I share my Real Money Portfolio with our readers, and write about my reasoning when choosing to buy or sell a stock, and often write about my asset allocation or other decisions as well… but I specifically do not have a recommended portfolio or trading alerts that I think other people should follow, and any guest columnists we host will not not offer that kind of guidance, either. We are sharing information and research and opinion, not guiding individual investment decisions that you might make. I am not the world’s best trader or investor, not by a long shot, and I may well be below average some or all of the time — all I can offer is my thought process and my research, and hope that our readers find it valuable, interesting, entertaining, or profitable.

Most of what I write here at Stock Gumshoe involves the solving of investment “teaser” ads, the critical discussion of ideas that are hyped by newsletters, and quick explanations of investing concepts that might be sold by pundits as mysterious secrets. But I also write some about my portfolio, and we have guest columnists who write about a variety of topics. I choose guest columnists based on their ability to explain, follow, and discuss interesting stocks and ideas, and because I like to read what they write.

For those who don’t know me, I am an individual investor, I read a lot and attend investment-focused conferences sometimes, but have no experience as a “Wall Street insider.”   I was a direct marketer long ago (I got some of the same training as the copywriters whose work I decipher, I imagine — though I was raising money for charities, not selling newsletters), and I’m more recently a recovering academic.  I had been blogging about my investment research and my strategies for a few years, as a side project, before I started Stock Gumshoe in 2007 as a venue for deciphering and demystifying the ridiculous hype and promise of investment newsletter ads.  I found it more rewarding than the tenure track, so after a while I left my faculty position and started working on Stock Gumshoe full time.  Stock Gumshoe was born in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a long time, but now makes its home in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts.

I don’t manage other peoples’ money or buy all the stocks I write about, and I’m not a particularly active trader, but I invest my family’s portfolio and write about that, and I continue, with most of my time, to write about and decipher the promotions and hype of the stock teasers… which, despite (or perhaps because of) our best efforts, have grown only more ridiculous in Stock Gumshoe’s first dozen years.  Some years I “beat” the S&P 500, as I have for the past few years, some years I don’t (2014-2016 were pretty weak for me, for example).  I just turned 50, and most of my investing is done with a long time horizon as I try to build a nest egg for my family and pay for future obligations like college tuition and retirement (though this work is pretty fun, so maybe I won’t retire) — but, like most of us, I can’t resist being opportunistic when something looks interesting as a shorter-term bet.

Sometimes when I write about a teased stock, particularly if it’s a small capitalization company with a big, loud marketing push behind the teaser, the stock goes up in part because we’re “revealing” it — there’s not much we can do about that, but I do try to make sure that I don’t profit from any movements like that, which is why all paid Stock Gumshoe authors, including me, have a three day blackout period after writing an article when we’re not allowed to trade the stocks we cover.   I do write largely about my portfolio, so I often write about stocks I own or write about them because I decide to buy them, but I hope that three-day embargo means that our authors won’t be in a position to profit from any short-term “bump” that our coverage might give to a stock price (usually we have no impact on larger stocks, we’ve grown to have thousands of daily readers but it’s not like we’re the Wall Street Journal over here… sometimes with a little fella, though, even a little surge of attention can impact the shares and the trading volume).

We’ve had several different columnists in the past, but right now we have just one regular one in addition to myself.   Michael Jorrin, who is an old personal friend, is a longtime medical writer who writes about broader medical and health issues and generally doesn’t specifically opine on stocks or on the investment prospects of drugs or companies. He is not a doctor, he is quite obviously not giving individual medical or other guidance to readers, and his articles often spur heated discussion of sometimes controversial topics — particularly hot-button social issues like alternative medicine, genetically modified organisms, vaccination and the like. He is a paid columnist who chooses his topics and is responsible for his own opinions, and we do not fact-check or edit his work to any substantial degree (as with most of the columnists we’ve hosted, his work requires just some light proofreading and formatting).

Michael is required to divulge any ownership in the stocks he writes about and to follow the same trading restrictions that I do (not trading a stock he writes about for three days following publication), but he’s usually not writing about the investment side of health so that is rarely a relevant restriction. I gave Michael the moniker “Doc Gumshoe” (he is not, as he is clear to note, a doctor), and brought him on board in the Spring of 2013, largely because health marketing is at least as pervasive as investment marketing and readers were asking me about stuff that I couldn’t easily understand.

It is a standard saying of investing that you should “only invest what you can afford to lose,” and though that saying has become worn and weak with overuse I consider it absolutely true when investing in small and volatile companies whose future is based on ongoing scientific work, unproven products, or assets that are otherwise not clearly understood or are many years from “realizing” value — small biotech stocks without approved products, small cash-burning technology companies, exploratory mining or energy companies, insert your favorite volatile sector here. There are plenty of stocks in the world where the company has a nontrivial chance of becoming worthless because of a single piece of news, or nearly so, and though I think understanding the science (or geology, or market dynamics, or whatever) behind the products these companies are developing is extraordinarily important and valuable, and it may well increase your odds of success, even dramatically so, it does not, by any means, provide a real margin of safety or a firm foundation for the shares of these kinds of stocks. The only viable risk management strategy for trading in this kind of sector, in my opinion, especially in the smaller stocks, is position sizing — which means, quite literally, only investing what you can afford to lose entirely in any one company. Really.

I know we have many seasoned investors in this space — including both long-term investors who are comfortable with volatility, and traders who like to ride very volatile stocks and the roller-coaster charts they often create — that warning isn’t directed primarily at those folks, and I’m not trying to tell you how to invest… but I know, also, that we have many novice investors who read Stock Gumshoe, including new readers and many excited traders who see biotech and tech and mining stocks doubling overnight and want a taste. Please be careful.  Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to an investor who is just getting started, or who is exploring new sectors or strategies, is to strike gold on your first or second trade and see your portfolio double in a few months, that brings with it a feeling of bulletproof acumen and leads to a loss of fear, a loss of perspective, and a failure to diversify. We are, most of us, our own worst enemy when it comes to investing (that’s true of all sectors and all ages — Warren Buffett isn’t smarter than everyone else, that’s not why he’s considered the world’s best investor… he just had the mental fortitude to act differently than most people in the market… and, probably, was smarter than average and lucky on top of that).

So that’s who we are, and what we do, from my perspective.  I always want to take the opportunity to remind our readers that I do not offer a “tip sheet” for anyone to mimic, and neither will anyone else who we host here as an author — we’re trying to help you think for yourself and make your own decisions, and to facilitate discussions of interesting investment (and other) ideas. I hope you find it valuable, and I thank you, very much, for helping me to keep growing Stock Gumshoe into a useful resource for all investors.

guest

12345

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

43 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mary Hilsman
Mary Hilsman
October 24, 2020 12:13 pm

Thanks Travis. Well put.

Dan Boyne
Guest
Dan Boyne
October 24, 2020 12:20 pm

For what it’s worth, I follow a lot of investment blogs, subscriptions, etc. and Stock Gumshoe is really the best one out there, for several reasons. First, it’s written by someone who is clearly humble, honest, intelligent and funny. Second, it’s not put out there to scam anyone.

Thanks for doing what you do!

Add a Topic
1881
Super Owl
Super Owl
October 24, 2020 12:53 pm

Travis,

After somehow stumbling across you accidentally , I’ve been an irregular with you for several years. I’ve found your deductions from the “touted” stocks’ clues fascinating to follow.

Moreover, while many newsletter touted penny stocks are indeed far more gambling than investing – some even resembling pump and dump schemes – perhaps 5% offer some interesting potential. Regarding these, I applaud your “never more than you can afford to lose” admonishment!

I also find your guest-written medical articles valuable, both Doc Gumshoe’s and the real MD’s. These are timely in today’s biotech world and its universe of stocks.

Providing a bit more credibility for the newbies on my comments on Travis, I was a scientist at the inception of the biotech world, transitioned to management in the industry and eventually left the corporate setting entirely to pursue an investment career.

I confess that I didn’t build my current position. I joined my wife who already had 20 years in and was thriving at a major wirehouse. After 5 more years, we left there 15 years ago and set up our own shop where my major function is analytical. (Here I would admonish newbies to think extra hard about analysts’ opinions … especially those working for a firm that also does investment banking. Do your own research.)

Bottom line here, as we – with over 60 years of professional investment experience between the two of us – find your material useful, I think you can feel proud and confident that it helps many people at all levels of investing.

Glad you found your calling. Keep on trucking’

Add a Topic
2578
Mary H
Mary H
October 24, 2020 6:23 pm
Reply to  Super Owl

I started investing last year after I lost my husband due to brain cancer, so I decided to invest. Travis I want to thank you for what you do, I am very happy that I found your information after I started reading all over the internet trying to find out about the stock market I found your information and now I’m a member now I’m a happy investor I hope my stocks keep going up. Thank you again, you are the best! stay safe. We love you!

Add a Topic
Thank you
Frank Rodriguez
Frank Rodriguez
October 24, 2020 1:33 pm

Hi Travis, What a super message, words that will not be found on other stock newsletters. The best I can say is thanks for all the information you have given us . And the idea to take that extra minute and rethink about the purchase of that newsletter to find out their secret. The secrets that you worked so hard at and told us for free. Keep up the good work and may God keep you and your family safe and healthy

Mar
Member
Mar
October 24, 2020 1:34 pm

Thank you so much Travis. I am a newbie & am muddling through trying to understand investing, reading your newsletter keeps things in perspective. Planning on becoming an Irregulars member soon.

jflynch
Member
jflynch
October 24, 2020 2:43 pm

Thankyou for all your hard and thoughtful work and discussions…

Steve Blinn
Steve Blinn
October 24, 2020 2:51 pm

Thanks for the backgrounder. Glad to have found you; I very much enjoy your writing and insights.

monty5235
October 24, 2020 8:38 pm

Pleasure to read Travis. The Thinkolater outputs are a treat to read and alas although I try and solve a few of them myself I fall short compared to the Thinkolater’s might. One suggestion that could be either the worst or best idea you’ve heard is we are entering if not already , in an age where crypto’s are a major play and alas like a dog following a just filled food bowl the pundits and hyperbole filled advisory services are starting to ramp up their spew of claims….. could be an idea to get a good crypto analyst on board and have him write for you …. Stock Gumshoe ( Crypto Edition).. charge people for it.. if its same quality and frank no nonsense as you practice here I’d buy it

Add a Topic
1881
Ram
Ram
October 24, 2020 9:39 pm

Travis,

I found you accidentally while searching/researching on FAZER teaser and invested in ‘F’(we all know what that stock is) after reading your article, and made some money, and in return I became irregular just right after I took profits couple of months ago.Since then I am enjoying reading your articles, though I have fool membership (may end soon) I still try to mimic RealMoney portfolio. And definitely saved lot of money stopping me to subscribe to other pitches like 5G, cloud, etc and moreover saving lot of time stopping watch all promos. Thank you for all your work and I enjoy your articles.

Add a Topic
6265
Jim Masciarelli
Member
October 25, 2020 4:39 am

Good Morning, glad to just join as an irregular after finding your useful investigations on teased stocks from research houses. Like your style, honesty and approach here. It takes effort to do what you do.
A year ago I decided to actively manage my own portfolio and invested big in research. More than I will ever need. But it has been worth it for educational purposes, a bit of entertainment and have had a good return by being a more informed and wary investor. I won’t be suckered into teaser videos anymore.
Look forward to your investigations! Hope I can pass on some of my learning as we go.

Cheers
Jim

Jim Adventure.jpg
Oliveira
October 25, 2020 6:01 pm

You are so modest, Travis. We all love you because no one in this investing world really cares whether we meet our investing goals but you certainly put your effort and mind to guiding us. It is your attitude that helps us no end. You are also so unbelievably honest. You deserve your wonderful family. Thank you for taking us seriously.

cjagadis
Irregular
cjagadis
October 26, 2020 10:11 am

This is probably the best advice and learning experience that anyone can get in Investing. Thanks for your intelligence, modesty, and hard work.

👍 55
777sunny
777sunny
October 26, 2020 4:36 pm

Thanks for your transparency and levelheadedness. If I had one newsletter to recommend it is yours. No hype, just cold hard research without an agenda.

👍 2
Patricia Lincourt
Guest
Patricia Lincourt
November 6, 2020 10:33 am

love it!

kanakaa
November 25, 2020 3:46 am

I started investing in the stock market a couple of weeks ago, knowing very little. I did a lot of research, signed up for a number of newsletters and then cancelled several. I now have $2,500 invested in 10 different stocks and have made about $250 in 10 days. This is largely luck I think.
Right away I started seeing a pattern in the teasers and I started looking them up and finding your responses. Some of them, like Motley Fool gave stock advice that was too highly priced for me, most of them said they would give info and then said you had to subscribe first, and most wanted $2500-5000 for a premium subscription. I just laughed and deleted. If I have $2000 to invest and I pay $2000 for their advice; what am I going to invest with? Really?!
I have been most impressed with your sleuthing and your broad knowlege of the market and am willing to subscribe just to keep you comtributing. If you can keep just a handful of us from falling for the scams and entertained by your wit; you are worth your weight in gold. Keep up the good work. You are appreciated!!

Add a Topic
329
Add a Topic
210
👍 5
👍 21718

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

More Info  
34
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x