Saturday 5 September 2009

Investment Prudence and “Multi Bagger” Concept


Saturday, August 1, 2009
Investment Prudence and “Multi Bagger” Concept

Investment in Stocks has been increasingly becoming very popular and one reason that everyone invests in stocks is to make money in multiples or at least better returns than any other form of investment. But do they end up getting that “dream” return in their investment? Yes and No. Some people do and some don’t. Investors who are very prudent with “stock market” patience usually complete the race while people who just come with expectation of making in millions by investing in mushrooming “Multi baggers” or doing futures and derivative trading, end up as a sorry figure. Stock investment can be compared to a Marathon rather than 100 meter dash.

Though I have not made in millions, I do feel that my investment has generated decent returns and more importantly, I have not lost single penny during one of the most difficult investment climate in history. From my experience, there are three important things that influence the “health” of a stock market investor. What are they?

1)What price you paid for the stock?
2)Which company or stock you have bought?
3)How many of the same stock you bought?

Investment Prudence

The price you pay for the stock is the single most important factor that not only decides your short term return but the long term success as well which is why I have mentioned it first. Why? Simply because, if we buy, even a average stock at a dirt cheap price, there is a chance to end up getting a decent return. But if you buy a great company at an exorbitant price, then you have dug a grave for yourself. But to be successful in stock investment, all three has to be in harmony with each other and may be that’s the reason Warren Buffet has mentioned I quote

“It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price” and “Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing”.

Real Example:

Investor Name: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.

First Big profit stock: TATA TEA

Price paid for Tata Tea: Rs.43

Selling Price: Rs.143

Number of Shares: 5000

Profit Made: 5 Lakhs (715000 – 215000)

Duration: 3 months

My Experience

I actually had a similar experience recently but I have not made 5 lakhs simply because of the third reason (How many bought).

Investor Name: Myself

First Big profit stock: YES BANK

Price paid for YES Bank: Rs.42

Current Price: Rs.160

Number of Shares: 500

Current Profit (Still Holding): Rs.59, 000 (80000 - 21000)

Duration: 4 Months

Hope you see what difference the number of shares makes. So, all I want to mention here is not to go for too much diversification. If we find good stocks at a great price, we should buy it in huge quantities without even flinching for once. Had I bought 5000 shares of YES Bank, I would be worth 8 Lakhs from YES Bank alone. But I failed to take that extra risk which now gave me a lesson and good experience.

Had investors applied the above three things in the last 1 year period, I am pretty sure they could have found many “Multi Baggers”.

The concept of “Multi bagger” has been misinterpreted by many people. I read many articles where Small Cap stocks with good business potential have been mentioned as “Multi Baggers” and that’s where I beg to differ. Multi baggers can be found among large and midcaps as well.



Multi Bagger

By definition “Multi Bagger” is a stock that goes up in price multiple times of the initial investment. So, if we apply the definition as it is, then almost half of the big companies have been the “Multi Baggers” in this recession leading up to the current rally.

Example:

GRASIM: The price of GRASIM when the SENSEX was around 8000 in 2008 November - December period was Rs.831 and current price of the same stock is Rs.2740. It has appreciated more than 3 times.
BHEL: Rs.1000 to Rs.2300, 2.3 times appreciation.
Educomp Solutions: Rs.1400 to Rs.4100, 3 times appreciation.
Aban Offshore: Rs.250 to Rs.1050, 4 times appreciation.
Axis Bank: Rs.300 to Rs.900, 3 times appreciation
Asian Paints:Rs.700 to Rs.1415, 2 times appreciation (Defensive Stock)
Tata Steel: Rs.150 to Rs.460, 3 times appreciation
Sterlite Industries: Rs.170 to Rs.650, more than 3 times appreciation
ICICI Bank: Rs.255 to Rs.760, 3 times appreciation
Jaipraksh Associates: Rs.50 to Rs.250, 5 times appreciation

So, the notion that “Multi Baggers” are found only among small caps is wrong and I hope I have provided ample proof for that. In the above 10 examples, I have purposefully left out small caps and even if we take small caps into account, not many small caps have appreciated as much as what I listed above. Hence, I strongly feel that any stock that fits into the definition of “Multi Bagger” should be considered as a “Multi bagger” and my suggestion for retail investors is to practice the three things that I mentioned in the first section which will give an opportunity to find less risky “Multi Baggers” from the pool of large caps. Only thing is investors need to grab the opportunity that "Mr. Market" presents.

Your sincere comments and discussions are invited.

Kumaran Seenivasan
http://www.stockanalysisonline.com/


http://www.stockanalysisonline.com/2009/08/investment-prudence-and-multi-bagger.html

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