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Investing is more than just numbers

Investing is about the numbers and the narrative behind the underlying businesses that make up a portfolio.

by | Last updated 12 Oct, 2023 | Get financial insights

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In the world of investing, we often find ourselves engrossed in numbers—revenue figures, operating margins, FCF yields, and ROIC ratios. These metrics provide us with valuable insights into a company’s current and past performance. However, they fall short of revealing the true essence of a stock’s potential—its future.

Examining a company’s impressive revenue growth or robust operating margins may initially appear promising. But the real quest lies in understanding its narrative—a story of growth and prosperity yet to unfold. To unearth the hidden gems capable of delivering returns of 10x to 100x, one must delve deep into the company’s business model.

The journey of a long-term investor

To embark on this journey, one must comprehend the intricacies of how a business generates revenue. It’s akin to gazing into a crystal ball, attempting to foresee what lies ahead in 1 year, five years, or even a decade. Investing in such stocks is essentially a bet that their value will soar, driven by a business that’s bound to expand substantially.

This process may seem daunting, but it’s a critical one. Understanding a company’s revenue generation model enables us to identify growth catalysts and envision how they may evolve in the future. It allows us to assess if the company can venture into new industry segments or capitalise on a growing market, solidifying or increasing its market share.

Examining the company’s management team, their backgrounds, incentives, and internal alignment provides further insights. In an era where disruption unfolds at an unprecedented pace, a competent management team is a valuable asset.

The importance of a story

Beyond the numbers, it’s the narrative that holds the key. It’s about believing in the company’s story, supported by robust research and data, that gives investors confidence in the potential for remarkable returns—10x to 100x.

Now, I understand that conducting all this research can be overwhelming, but fear not. Here at Money Cog, we specialise in this precise endeavour.

We analyse numerous companies, sparing you the legwork, and present our findings with our unique Cog Score to pinpoint stocks we believe have the potential to multiply your investment manifold. Since 2015, our stock ideas have generated a staggering 798% return, translating to an impressive annualised return of 29.4%. Find out more here.

Written By

Imran Dean, CFA

Imran has spent the last seven years working in the investment industry across both public and private markets. Using multiple investment instruments, he has helped to manage over $100 million in client assets.

In 2019, Imran became a revered member of the CFA Institute. He focuses on identifying high-growth opportunities with a solid understanding of business fundamentals and operational drivers. Outside The Money Cog, Imran is an associate at a family office and also a co-founder of an agrotechnology and circular economy online media group.

Current Holdings

NYSE:DIS, LSE:SAFE, LSE:DOM, LSE:GRG, NYSE:PINS, NYSE:SHOP

Edited & Fact Checked By
Zaven Boyrazian MSc

Zaven has worked in several industries throughout his career, from aircraft factories to game development studios. He has been actively investing in the stock market for the better part of a decade, managing over $1 million across multiple portfolios.

Specializing in corporate valuation, Zaven employs a modern take on the principles set out by Benjamin Graham to find new opportunities at fair prices.

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