Lessons from the Most Successful Investor Ever

“It is incredible the quantity of good that may be done in a country by a single man who will make a business out of it, and not suffer himself to be diverted from that purpose by different avocations, studies or amusements.” — Benjamin Franklin

“More than anything else, I want to be rich.” — Robert W. Wilson

During the Christmas holidays, my wife and I drove across America on our way to California, where we will be teaching at Chapman University. During this trip, I was able to read a little book called “Killing the Market,” the remarkable story of hedge fund investor extraordinaire Robert W. Wilson. I was surprised at how the author, Roemer McPhee, was able to pack so much information in less than 100 pages.

Wilson may be the most successful investor ever, even better than Warren Buffett. He started out inheriting $15,000 in 1956 and turned it into an investment portfolio worth $800 million by the time he died in 2013. He had no heirs, so he gave away most of his money to various charitable and non-profit organizations.

How did he do it? Overall, I glean the following basic principles from Bob Wilson:

First and foremost, he devoted his entire life to the markets. He desperately wanted to beat the market year after year, and he did not allow himself to get distracted by other interests except going to the opera. (Warning: His singular devotion to the markets cost him his marriage.)

Second, he was overall an optimist about the United States and the stock market. Throughout his career, he was about 80% long and 20% short. He was not afraid to short individual stocks, but he was never a pessimist about the United States. He never fell for the merchants of doom who are constantly predicting a crash.

Third, he invested in a well-diversified portfolio of individual stocks (long and short). He was not afraid to sell short companies that he thought would go bankrupt, although he was tested to the limit with his shorting of Resorts International.

Fourth, he tried to anticipate trends, such as technology in the 1970s and 1980s. Getting it right paid off big.

Fifth, he used leverage to his advantage. He borrowed heavily from overseas banks to get around the 50% margin limits in the United States. Today, I think trading stock options offers a far better way to leverage your investments without debt.

Sixth, he was willing to change his mind when the market went against him or new information became available.

Seventh, he minimized taxes by investing for the long term and by investing inside tax-deferred vehicles. This was critically important at a time when taxes on dividends and capital gains exceeded 50%.

Eighth, he lived modestly and avoided unnecessary expenditures.

You can buy a copy of “Killing the Market” at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Roemer McPhee, the author and a graduate from the Wharton School of Business, tells me that he has become a more successful investor after studying Wilson. He has agreed to speak on “Killing the Market: The Story of the World’s Most Successful Investor” at next year’s FreedomFest, July 19-22, 2017, at the Paris Resort, Las Vegas.

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Financial Chaos? Or Opportunity? FreedomFest’s Investment Gurus Saw It Coming

What would freedom be without financial freedom? Every year, we put on a three-day “financial freedom” seminar with the best and brightest financial advisers, newsletter writers and tax and estate planning specialists.

Many of our FreedomFest speakers have been spot-on with their assessments about the economy, politics and the future. Peter Schiff and Bert Dohmen famously called the financial crisis of 2008 a year earlier at FreedomFest 2007. “Capitalist Evangelist” Wayne Allyn Root predicted Donald Trump’s victory from the beginning of the campaign.

Now, another Donald has appeared to lead the pack of our rock star investment gurus: Top New York money manager Donald G. Smith foresaw a Trump triumph and adjusted his portfolio accordingly. His managed accounts have outperformed Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Smith focuses on “deep value” contrarian investments. He bought gold shares two years ago when they were out of fashion and doubled and tripled his money. Find out what he is recommending now.

One of our most popular speakers, investment guru Jim Rogers, is excited about returning next year to celebrate with our 10^th anniversary with us. He is coming all the way from Singapore to talk about “China and the Asian Tigers, the Opportunity of a Lifetime.”

Next year, plan to meet with other top financial gurus, including international investor Doug Casey, Global Guru Nicholas Vardy, money manager Adrian Day, and the Oxford Club’s Alex Green. Attend to get their latest recommendations on the sea changes taking place under the new Trump administration.

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“During my 40 years as a wealth manager, I have been around great and influential people, including Ross Perot and John Templeton. During my entire career, however, I have never before been to one venue like FreedomFest that allowed me access to and interaction with such a concentration of great thinkers and financial professionals.” — Rick Sampley, senior VP, Raymond James

Early-Bird Discount Ends January 15, 2017

Now is the time to register for the “greatest libertarian show on earth” (Washington Post). If you sign up before January 15, 2017, you save $100 per person/$200 per couple on the registration fee. You’ll pay only $495 per person/$795 per couple. Young professionals (under age 30) pay only $345 per person, and students pay only $99.

Sign up at www.freedomfest.com, or call 1-855-850-3733, ext 202, and talk to Karen, Jennifer, Heather or Amy. You’ll be glad you did.

Plus we have reserved a room block at the five-star Paris Resort for only $129 a night. Book your room while you still can!

See you in Vegas next July 19-22, 2017.

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Upcoming Conference

Join me for the MoneyShow Orlando

One of my first speaking appearances in 2017 will be at the MoneyShow Orlando, February 8-11, 2017, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Use my priority code, 042311, and mention it when you call 1-800-970-4355 to register.