R.V. Owens

A company can have a great story, an exciting product, strong brand recognition, and even impressive revenue growth. But none of those things automatically make it a financially strong company, or an attractive investment. When we evaluate a company, we want to understand what is happening underneath the stock price. We examine the financial statements, the company's ability to generate profits, its liquidity, the amount of leverage being used, and ultimately what investors are being asked to...

One of the easiest mistakes investors can make is confusing a great company with a great investment. In investing, one of the most important lessons to understand is that a strong company and a strong investment are not always the same thing. A business may have excellent leadership, solid earnings, a recognizable brand, and long-term growth potential, but if its stock price is too high, the opportunity may no longer be attractive. That is why disciplined investors must look beyond the...

Starting a business is often discussed in terms of the idea, the opportunity, and the potential for growth. But before any of those things can become reality, there is one fundamental question every entrepreneur must answer: How much capital will it actually take to get the business started—and keep it operating? Some businesses can begin with a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. Others may require $50,000, $100,000, or considerably more before they generate their first dollar of revenue....