Value Investing: How I Achieved 303% Return Investing in Stocks

By Curtis W. O’Keefe

In the past seven years my portfolio has grown 303% (25% average compound annual growth) by following the advice and approach to investing of the great value investors such as Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham. Granted the overall market increased during the past 7 years, but I managed to beat the S&P index handedly by 157%—an average of 22% per year.

I approach investing as an owner of the companies that I am buying. This impacts how I buy and hold stocks.

Investing in stocks: Buying marketable equity shares

I evaluate buying marketable equity shares of companies in much the same way I would evaluate a business for acquisition...