Stock Stories

The Dunning-Kruger effect is the tendency for those who are incompetent to overestimate their competence.  This "dual burden" is two fold: 1) incompetence means less capability to do things well, and 2) overestimation of one's ability means more susceptibility to blind spots and thus, catastrophic failure.---Instagram: stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

3M is a massive industrial conglomerate known some of its famous industrial and consumer products, like Scotch Tape and Post-It Notes.  It makes a very wide array of products though, and its Personal Safety segment is growing rapidly. MIT Technology Review article discussing the new cost of productivity 3M 2018 10-K Annual Report 3M 2013 10-K Annual ReportFor information on the Personal Safety segment of the business, look at p.72 in the 2018 annual report linked above.---Instagram: stockstories1Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

The largest publicly traded trucking company in America, J. B. Hunt transports all types of goods - from chemicals to cosmetics.  Started as just a small fleet of trucks, it has grown immensely and now offers a variety of services to its customers.---Instagram: stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Famous for its Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, Take Two Interactive is one of the largest video game publishers in the world.  Even though they are big, they're still smaller than competitors Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard, so there is room for growth.---Instagram: stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Electronic Arts is one of the most well-known publishers of video games, specifically for its sports franchises like FIFA and Madden NFL.  They also have a variety of non-sports related titles.  EA was started by a former Apple employee in the 1980s and has grown exponentially since then.  EA has been investing in current trends such as casual gaming and esports, but will future growth be like the past?  ---alex@stockstoriespodcast.comInstagram: @stockstories1Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Mr. Market is the classic allegory first described by Benjamin Graham in his classic, The Intelligent Investor.  It's a great way to think about stock prices going up and down in the short term - it's all emotional.  Departures from intrinsic value DO exist, and it's our job as investors to take advantage of them if we so desire.---alex@stockstoriespodcast.comInstagram: @stockstories1Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

One of the largest video game companies in the world, Activision Blizzard is known for creating hit franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and (as of the King acquisition) Candy Crush.  Their games are played by hundreds of millions of people monthly across over 190 countries.---Instagram: @stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Estée Lauder always believed that every woman should feel beautiful.  Her drive for innovation in the creation of beauty products was impressive, and her and her husband Joseph worked together as a team to build one the world's biggest beauty companies.  With products sold in over 150 countries, Estée Lauder's skin care, make up, fragrance, and hair products are sold to women (and men) everywhere.---Instagram: stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

Known as a visual search engine, Pinterest catalogs ideas and themes, providing inspiration for people pursuing goals or DIY projects.  Although Pinterest is an ad-based platform like other social media companies, it's purpose is unique, which I think is its greatest competitive advantage.---Instagram: stockstories1alex@stockstoriespodcast.comEmail: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com

The video-based sharing platform has grown rapidly over the past several years, resulting in an IPO in 2019.  What are the company's future prospects?---alex@stockstoriespodcast.comInstagram: stockstories1Email: alex@stockstoriespodcast.com