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Educational
Sessions
Saturday - Sunday Sessions
Leadership
Training Schedule | Newbie Program
Schedule
| Session
Schedule |
Session Descriptions:
| Saturday
and Sunday |
| Saturday Morning | Saturday
Afternoon |
| Sunday Morning | Sunday
Afternoon |
Session Descriptions
August 9–10, 2008
Saturday Morning, August 9, 2008
9:15 AM – 10:05 AM
University A
Introduction to Cash Flow Analysis of Stocks
Bart Womack
The session explores the contribution of cash flow analysis to proper stock
selection. Attendees learn how to perform interpretations of the statement
of cash flow and how to use the interpretations in conjunction with the balance
sheet and income statement in stock selection. Ultimately, we’ll generate
a check list to evaluate stocks that investors already own as well as those
they intend to purchase in the future.
University B
What You Must Know When Buying a Bank Stock
Herb Barnett
If
you've ever tried to prepare a Stock Selection Guide on a bank stock, you know
the metrics that apply to normal companies don't apply
to banks. This session explores the numbers that do apply to banks, what
they mean, and how to make informed decisions about investing in bank stocks.
University C
The Dynamics of SSG Analysis
Brian Altschul
Observe how two club members with differing opinions use the Stock
Selection Guide to analyze the same stock and reach their conclusions.
This beyond beginners session demonstrates how to apply judgment
decisions and points out some useful red flags that may help
to improve your SSG analyses.
University D
Sources of Earnings Growth: Return on Equity and Its Components
Phil Keating
Warren Buffett considers return on equity the most important measurement
of management’s performance. Understanding ROE would have uncovered
virtually all of the massive corporate frauds from Enron to WorldCom and
the bubble stocks from Cisco to Tyco. Using case studies, the session discusses
the components of ROE that drive quality earnings growth, influence P/E
multiples (price/earnings ratios), and investor returns. They are asset
turnover, profit margins, financial leverage, tax rates, and dividend policy.
University E
Overview of the ICLUBcentral Investment Tools
Daniel Abraham
The ICLUBcentral investment tools
offer a variety of online and desktop software programs for analyzing a stock.
Learn how to pick the best tools to complement your personal approach and
skill level.
10:15 AM – 11:25 AM
University A
What Economic Indicators Tell Us about the Stock Market
Bart Womack
This session looks at 10 important economic indicators. Attendees
will determine what effect those indicators have on the economy as
well as their inevitable impact on the stock market. Understanding
how these indicators affect the success of investors’ portfolios
will be a central goal.
University B
Small Company Discovery
Mark Robertson
Why are small companies important to our portfolios? Is it really possible
to select smaller companies without greater risk? This session makes
the case to shop for small companies and the positive impact that small
companies can have on our portfolios. It includes favorite resources
for small company ideas.
University C
Sector and Industry Screening
Saul Seinberg
Is your portfolio missing representation in one or more sectors that are
attractive to you or your club? What's the best and most efficient way
to find suitable investment candidates that are worth the time to evaluate
them? Starting with definitions of sectors and industries, this session
shows how to find such candidate stocks in sectors or industries of interest
and what to do after you identify them.
University D
Dividend Paying Stocks
Diane Graese
Dividends provide a fairly secure source of return and can help to stabilize
and diversify your portfolio. Learn how to find the best dividend paying
stocks and analyze them before investing. The session includes numerous
examples.
University E
Five Steps to Smarter Investing: Finding Companies
Irving Roth
Use the ICLUBcentral
online and desktop stock screening tools to search for stocks that meet your
criteria and to find quality growth stock candidates. Learn how to build
and save your personal search criteria so that you will always have a collection
of potentially hot stocks at your fingertips, just a point and click away.
11:35 AM – 12:25 PM
University A
Exploring Exchange Traded Funds (Repeats Sunday 2:35 PM)
Jerry Pillans
Exchange Traded Funds (or ETFs) are open-ended investment
funds that can be traded at any time throughout the course of the day.
The session covers the basics of ETFs. Topics include: how ETFs are
created, agents or trustees of ETFs, popular ETFs, and how to include
ETFs to round out your portfolio.
University B
A Closer Look Using PERT Worksheet-A
Ann Cuneaz
Like the Stock Selection Guide, the Portfolio Evaluation Review Technique
Worksheet-A is a tool that helps spot trends in a company’s fundamental
performance. Learn how to use and interpret the PERT-A to help you make
better buy and sell decisions.
University C
SSGs on REITs
Herb Barnett
A Real Estate Investment Trust is a real estate company that offers common
shares to the public. REITs present industry-specific issues related to understanding
the unique industry model, the data to use, and the availability of data.
This session examines the issues to help investors understand REITs and make
informed investment decisions.
University D
Weeding and Feeding Your Portfolio: Buy or Sell
Phil Keating
Learn to cut the weeds and feed the flowers in your portfolio
by applying the principles of good portfolio management, including prudent
diversification. Investor’s Toolkit has many reports that categorize
stock holdings, spotlight issues that need attention, and rank holdings
on key fundamental factors. Learn why and when to sell and how to use the
Toolkit challenge feature to find the best candidates as replacements.
The session includes sample portfolios with examples and case studies.
University E
Which One Is for You?: Portfolio
Manager or Investment Account Manager
Matt Willms
This session compares Portfolio
Manager and Investment
Account Manager,
both QUANT IX SOFTWARE products. Professional money managers designed both
of these programs in order to help investors better understand and manage
their investment portfolios. The session introduces the features of both
programs and highlights the differences in order to help you identify which
program best fits your needs. Topics include: creating portfolios, entering
investment transactions, and reviewing reporting and graphing tools.
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Saturday Afternoon, August 9, 2008
2:35 PM – 3:25 PM
University A
Introduction to Diversification and Asset Allocation
Matt Willms
When constructing a portfolio, decisions about diversification and asset
allocation are important to long-term investing success. This session reviews
why investors must consider both taxable and non-taxable accounts to obtain
a true measure of the overall portfolio allocation that is consistent with
long-term goals. The session uses QUANT IX SOFTWARE’s Portfolio
Manager and Investment
Account Manager to illustrate how to rebalance a portfolio consistent
with diversification and allocation goals.
University B
Portfolio-Centered Decision Making
Mark Robertson
Dashboards, windshields, and dipsticks. Portfolio design and caretaking
have many similarities to checking whether your car is prepared for a journey. Discover answers to what seem to be the most challenging questions of portfolio
management. Challenged by selling decisions? We’ll show
you that your portfolio can tell you what it needs.
University C
Using Options for Conservative Investors
Saul Seinberg
Options have a bad reputation in the world of investing, although
one type of option (covered calls) is considered safe enough to qualify for
use in fiduciary accounts, including trusts, 401Ks, and IRAs. A growth investor
can use additional low risk alternatives and realize benefits that can increase
portfolio performance under a variety of market conditions. Learn the value
of options as limited insurance against stock or market drops, employ options
to purchase a stock of interest at lower than market price, and explore techniques
for improving your position if an option trade isn’t working out as
intended.
University D
Estimate Future Earnings Using the Preferred Procedure
Ann Cuneaz
Estimating the growth rate of a company’s future earnings is an important
step in completing the Stock Selection Guide, and we can all use a little
help making this key forecast. Learn how to use the preferred procedure,
or revenue-based EPS projection, to provide a useful second opinion.
The session breaks down the preferred procedure into easy-to-understand
concepts and explains how a company makes money.
University E
How the Changing Demographics of America Will Influence the Stock Market
Bart
Womack
This session explores the close link between demographics and the health
of the stock market. Demographics refer to the changing make-up of the
country’s population. Attendees will evaluate the effects of changing
demographics on the economy and ultimately on stock market behavior. Investors
will learn how to position their portfolios to take best advantage of the
upcoming changes.
Walden
From the Top Down
Joe Craig
Most investing sessions start with stock analysis. I present a different
approach in this session and put the focal point on the portfolio—the top view
of investing performance. Starting with the portfolio, I present a
methodology—using available tools—that focuses on overall performance
of the portfolio as the key element of your investing life.
3:35 PM – 4:25 PM
University A
Advanced SSG Judgment Decisions (Repeats Sunday 3:35 PM)
Brian Altschul
You’re comfortable analyzing stocks with the Stock Selection
Guide, but how do you move up to a more sophisticated level of analysis?
Learn about advanced judgment techniques and red flags that
can enhance your analysis skills. The session uses the Portfolio Evaluation
Review Technique and a variety of data sources to help you make solid
decisions on SSG analyses.
University B
The Fundamentals Always Apply
Bob Adams
See examples of seven ways to make money and seven ways to lose money in
the stock market—and how to use them as investing analysis guides. The
session demonstrates good and bad examples as well as the specific
criteria to look for in your stock investments. Knowing the positive
signs isn’t enough; learn the negative signs as well. This
is truly a logical approach to investing using software tools. Wear
your logic hat when you attend.
University C
The ABCs (and IRS) of Investment Club Withdrawals
Ira Smilovitz
Investment club withdrawals are some of the most poorly understood financial
transactions. Many clubs and withdrawing members pay taxes too soon when they
could defer the payment for several years. Learn how transferring appreciated
stock is often the best option for both the club and the withdrawing member.
University D
Beginning Cash Flow Workshop
Diane Graese
Cash flow statements provide the most comprehensive picture of a company's
fiscal operations. In this session, attendees learn cash flow concepts
and analyze a cash flow statement. If you learn best through a hands-on
exercise, this session is for you.
University E
Five Steps to Smarter Investing: Analyzing a Company
Irving Roth
Use the ICLUBcentral
online and desktop tools to research and analyze a stock for your portfolio.
Learn about the most important attributes to consider when examining a company
and select the best tools for the job from ICLUBcentral’s suite of
software and web tools.
Walden
Don't Gamble Away Your 401(k)
Jerry Pillans
Are you worried about making the wrong choices for your 401(k) plan? Learn
about the many benefits and pitfalls of 401(k) plans as well as helpful
software tools. The session demonstrates how tools can help narrow your
choices and help find the best investment vehicles for your purposes.
Don’t pay all those fees to plan administrators and fund companies.
Keep them for yourself!
4:35 PM – 5:45 PM
University A
Why Social Security Will Change
Bart Womack
This session takes a journey through the Social Security System
and examines why many economists believe that the current system is
in trouble. Learn why it will be forced to change and—with the
use of proper investing concepts—how changes to the system could
mean higher payouts to retirees in the future. In the end, attendees
will know the strengths and weaknesses of the system and be able to
assess the effect of coming changes on their retirement income.
University B
Reading Price Charts
Mary Ann Davis
Designed for long-term investors, this session introduces reading price
charts. Topics covered include: moving averages, support/resistance,
trend lines, and crossovers. The session uses three price chart web sites
that offer unique features to demonstrate the indicators.
University C
Mystery SSG Workshop
Saul Seinberg
Join in an interactive workshop and help complete 4 or 5 (time permitting)
Stock Selection Guides. You see the data, but do not know the names of the
companies until the end of the session. Working with the workshop leader and
fellow attendees, you get a feel for how to create an effective SSG where
the buy, hold, and sell decisions are not affected by a
company’s reputation and prior performance. Those factors are a mystery
to you until the curtain opens to reveal the identities of the unusual suspects.
University D
Researching Stocks: The Other 20%
Lynn Ostrem
Experienced investors believe the Stock Selection Guide covers 80% of the
information we need to know to be successful investors. This session
introduces the other 20%—the art of digging deeper into the company's
history, news, and reports (annual and financial). Learn how to assess
business models, management, and competitors in order to find positive
and negative influences that affect our stock analysis judgments. The
extra research pays off as it builds confidence in our SSG judgments.
The session includes an in-depth stock study checklist to use in your
own research.
University E
When Bad Things Happen to Good Stocks
Doug Gerlach
Learn how to handle unexpected problems that arise in companies you hold
in your portfolio, and make more confident decisions about selling, holding,
or buying these stocks with issues.
Walden
Using Investment Account Manager with Other Software Tools
Matt
Willms
Learn how several features in QUANT IX SOFTWARE’s Investment
Account Manager interact with other software tools available to investors. The
session reviews access with the StockCentral.com data import, Yahoo! Finance pricing services, and American Association
of Individual Investors (AAII) Stock Investor Pro software.
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Sunday Morning, August 10, 2008
9:15 AM – 10:25 AM
University A
StockCentral Unleashed!
Joe Craig
StockCentral.com is
a subscription web site that includes Stock Selection Guide data and
helps you become a better investor. Learn to use the tools available
at StockCentral for stock screening, stock analysis, stock selection,
and managing your portfolio. The session demonstrates some of these
tools and suggests how to use them to support your investing activities.
University B
The Curse of Analysis Paralysis
Ann Cuneaz
When it comes to stock research, the Internet can be both a blessing and
a curse. Depending on your point of view, web sites provide us with both
a wealth and a deluge of information. This session presents a systematic
method to research stocks without going into information overload. Learn
about key reports, useful web sites, and significant data items.
University C
You're Retired, Now What? Tax Efficient Strategies for Surviving Your
Retirement
Ira Smilovitz
Today's workers can expect to live nearly as long in retirement
as the time they spend in the workforce. The session looks at investment
strategies to make your assets last throughout your retirement, as well
as tax-efficient plans for drawing on your retirement funds.
University D
There Is a Time to Buy
Mary Ann Davis
Learn how to fine-tune your buy decisions using tools beyond the Stock
Selection Guide. This session starts with an SSG research study of 42
stocks that were in the buy or near-buy range and held
for one year. See how the portfolio’s performance improved by using
the Portfolio Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) and Value Line. In addition,
we use price charts to determine the most opportune time to buy—and
at what price—by placing a buy limit order.
University E
SSG Blind Spots
Mark Robertson
Have a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right after completing
a stock study even though the outlook looks decent? You are plagued with
pangs of uncertainty that something isn’t quite right, but the
Stock Selection Guide looks perfect and you buy. However, the
stock price is sluggish for months and years before the stock makes the
next advance, if ever. All of the trends were headed in the right direction,
so what went wrong? Can the SSG have a blind spot? What can we do about
it?
10:35 AM – 11:25 AM
University A
Portfolio Management Using PERT Offense and Defense
Brian Altschul
Learn how to use Toolkit’s Portfolio Evaluation Review Technique Offense
and Defense reports to weed and feed your portfolio. After you complete Stock
Selection Guide studies, utilize the reports to make when to sell decisions.
The reports are especially useful for investment club discussions and decisions.
University B
Analyzing an Annual Report the Easy Way
Bob Adams
If you find the information in annual reports daunting, this updated session
teaches you what to read, what’s important, what’s not
important, and how to quickly analyze all of the financial numbers. We’ll
use a free substantially upgraded tool (spreadsheet) to analyze
an entire annual report in minutes. Simply type a ticker symbol into
the new spreadsheet and download the data that you need to speed and
guide you to revealing conclusions. New analysis features include comparative
analyses of peer companies and the industry, as well as insider and institutional
ownership, and more.
University C
Asset Allocation
Saul Seinberg
Asset allocation is an investing approach based on selecting investments
according to their specific characteristics and type. Examples are growth
or value; small, mid, or large cap; fixed income or equity; and industry membership. Using
model portfolios deemed representative of InvestEd attendees,
this session shows how asset allocation works and how to best create and manage
a multiple asset class portfolio. The session also focuses on rebalancing
techniques and tells you about the most important asset allocation question
for an investor and its answer.
University D
Advanced Cash Flow Workshop
Diane Graese
This session presents many challenging cash flow statements to analyze,
and it assumes that attendees know the basics of cash flow principles.
It is geared for advanced investors who want tips about using the cash
flow statement to analyze a company's fiscal operations quickly.
University E
Five Steps to Smarter Investing: Comparing Companies
Doug Gerlach
Use the ICLUBcentral online and
desktop tools to compare companies side-by-side, or to compare a stock to
its industry averages. Find companies that are best of breed, or get help
to upgrade your portfolio with stocks that offer higher returns and higher
quality than your existing holdings.
11:35 AM – 12:25 PM
University A
Speculation in Investment Portfolios
Brad Taylor
Do speculative investments ever belong in a conservative portfolio? We
will explore the dangers and promises of speculative stocks. This session
covers a variety of speculative concerns, such as company life cycles,
lifestyle changes, and whether to buy a stock when you recognize a catalyst
for change that does not quite meet conservative investing criteria.
University B
When to Hire a Financial Planner and How to Find a Good One
Martha Alderson
Most of us are do-it-yourself types when it comes to money matters. However,
there are times when seeking professional financial advice or guidance
can help avoid pitfalls. Find out when to get professional financial
advice and how to find an advisor appropriate to your situation.
University C
Funding Education
Saul Seinberg
The many alternatives for funding education can be confusing. This session
familiarizes you with several plans (529 Plans, Coverdell, and UGMA) for funding
education for your children, grandchildren, and other family members― even
yourself. Find out how these plans work, learn their pros and cons, the investment
approaches they use, and their alternatives.
University D
Common Mistakes Even Smart Investors Make and How to Avoid Them
Phil
Keating
All investors make common, often unconscious, decision-making mistakes.
From the findings of several Nobel Prize winners, modern behavioral finance
highlights cognitive, emotional, and social factors. Examples are framing,
anchoring, herding, loss aversion, overconfidence, and compartmenting.
Paradoxically, investors consistently act to buy high and sell low. These
irrational behaviors provide opportunities for disciplined investors to
profit handsomely. We review several recent stock case histories including
Cisco Systems, Coca Cola, GE, Home Depot, JDS Uniphase, Lucent, and Pfizer.
University E
Five Steps to Smarter Investing: Sharing Information
Daniel Abraham
Use the ICLUBcentral
online and desktop stock screening tools to share knowledge, research, news,
and completed stock studies. Make use of community forums to discuss stocks
or get ideas for your portfolio; upload and download files; and email information
to fellow investors or members of your investment club.
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Sunday Afternoon, August 10, 2008
2:35 PM – 3:25 PM
University A
Another Look at StockCentral
Marvin Kohn
StockCentral.com is
a unique source of investment information. The web site provides stock
analysis data, analysis tools, and an online investing community. Participants
post stock evaluations and discuss them with other investors. The session
examines many of the available tools and demonstrates how to incorporate
them into an effective research strategy.
University B
Company Research Using Value Line Reports
Ann Cuneaz
Experienced investors consider Value Line research reports an essential
component of any stock study, but new investors can find the jam-packed
format a bit overwhelming. The session provides a road map to help navigate
the Value Line report and pick out key information to assist you in your
stock studies. Join the fun and maximize your use of this valuable research
tool.
University C
The Inner Geek Lives
Joe Craig
Caution! This session has absolutely nothing to do with investing! Computers,
the Internet, wireless access, music, video, and telephony are all applications
that can run on your computer, your television, your digital video recorder,
your video game console, etc. I use this session to show you some fun things
that you can do mostly for free, or for a very low cost.
University D
Secrets of Wall Street Analysts
Doug Gerlach
How much can you trust Wall Street analysts? Get the inside scoop on what
really happens inside investment banks and brokerage firms when they
say buy, sell, or hold. Also learn the basics of how to
build a model to fine-tune your own EPS (earnings per share) projections
just like analysts do.
University E
Stock Selection Guide: A Tool to Help Solve the Investment Puzzle
Louise
Sechler
Puzzled by the Stock Selection Guide? The session dissects and examines
all of the pieces of the SSG to help investors understand the significance
of each part and evaluate them. We’ll replace the pieces to complete
the stock analysis puzzle and learn how to determine if a company is a
candidate for a stock portfolio.
Walden
Exploring Exchange Traded Funds (Repeat from Saturday)
Jerry Pillans
Exchange Traded Funds (or ETFs) are open-ended investment
funds that can be traded at any time throughout the course of the day.
The session covers the basics of ETFs. Topics include how ETFs are created,
agents or trustees of ETFs, popular ETFs, and how to include ETFs to round
out your portfolio.
3:35 PM – 4:25 PM
University A
SSGs Too Good to Be True
John Tonsager
Learn what to do when the result of a Stock Selection Guide study looks
so good that investors question their own judgment. The session removes outliers,
makes changes to Toolkit software, and uses the preferred procedure. Learn
to curb your optimism and produce a more conservative SSG that is still in
the buy range.
University B
Investing 101
Bob Adams
There are four ways to invest in equities: mutual funds, index funds, ETFs
(Exchange Traded Funds), and individual brokerage accounts. Learn about
the advantages, disadvantages, costs (some are very high), ease of use,
and the time required for each type of investment approach. For example,
do you understand the real cost of managed mutual funds, and do you compare
your portfolio and mutual fund returns with market averages? Learn how
easy it is.
University C
Techniques for Managing Email and Simplifying Your Life
Randy Wilkes
Are you fed up with a cluttered inbox? Learn about tools that can help
reduce the clutter in your inbox and tame the stress in your life. This session
discusses how to create new folders and set up rules to filter your messages.
After this session, you will have the tools to take control of your email
and manage your life.
University D
Ten Dumbest Mistakes Investors Make (And How You Can Avoid Them)
Doug
Gerlach
While it may be impossible to remove human nature and emotion completely
from the investment decision-making process, it is possible to understand
and control the invisible forces that influence how you invest. Learn to
recognize how your fears and misperceptions can lead you down the wrong
path, and how following many of Wall Street's maxims cause you to make dumb mistakes.
University E
Five Steps to Smarter Investing: Managing Your Portfolio
Irving Roth
Use the ICLUBcentral
online and desktop stock screening tools to manage your existing holdings,
learn to spot small issues before they become big problems, identify overvalued
stocks, and track fundamental changes to your companies.
Walden
Advanced SSG Judgment Decisions (Repeat from Saturday)
Brian Altschul
You’re comfortable analyzing stocks with the Stock Selection Guide,
but how do you move up to a more sophisticated level of analysis? Learn
about advanced judgment techniques and red flags that can enhance
your analysis skills. The session uses the Portfolio Evaluation Review
Technique and a variety of data sources to help you make solid decisions
on SSG analyses.
4:35 PM – 5:25 PM
University A
Warnings and Red Flags Not on the SSG
Ann Cuneaz
Learn about a number of easy-to-check warning signals and red flags―the
so-called other 20%―that are not evident on the Stock Selection
Guide. The session points out useful information in Value Line, on the balance
sheet, cash flow statement, annual report, and even in a press release.
University B
Selling Covered Calls
Mary Ann Davis
Selling covered calls is an excellent way to increase the return on your
portfolio and insure against a downturn in the market. The session explains
the advantages and disadvantages of writing covered calls, how they work,
and a step-by-step approach to start using them. Attendees will see actual
examples that demonstrate how covered calls work in real life and how
they react to the market.
University C
Planning for Retirement: How Do I Get There from Here?
Ira Smilovitz
The era of working for one company during your working career
and retiring with a defined benefit pension is over. Individuals need
to take an active role in planning for their future retirement. Learn
what your options are and how to prioritize them.
University D
Don't Gamble: Invest in the Best Growth Companies
Phil Keating
What kinds of companies would you want at the core of your portfolio if
you couldn't sell for five years or more? This session uses the latest
investment research of Jeremy Siegel and others to develop several stock
screens to identify the most promising candidates for long-term investors
to consider. Common outstanding characteristics of great companies are
identified and illustrated. Several case studies and examples illustrate
the concept of built to last companies with high franchise
value.
University E
Manifest Investing
Mark Robertson
Long-term investing made easier. In this session, we’ll take
a look at the influence of George Nicholson, David L. Babson, and Benjamin
Graham on the web-based tools available at ManifestInvesting.com.
The session will review reliable resources used during a stock study, and
for effective portfolio design and management.
Walden
Using the Stock Comparison Guide
Marvin Kohn
The Stock Comparison Guide is the next step in the learning process of
selecting good securities for your portfolio. This presentation describes
how to use SCG software included in Toolkit and Stock Analyst. We evaluate
each of the elements of the SCG and try to determine which criteria are
most useful in your comparison.
| Session
Schedule |
Session Descriptions:
| Saturday
and Sunday |
| Saturday Morning | Saturday
Afternoon |
| Sunday Morning | Sunday
Afternoon |
|
