By Times Staff Writer
Published September 12, 2004
Q. How did you get started in investing?
I got started when I opened my first discount brokerage account in 1998, just buying individual stocks.
Q. What is your best investment so far?
Zimmer, a pharmaceutical. It has just skyrocketed.
Q. What is your worst investment so far?
Lucent Technologies. It's been the worst performer financially.
Q. What have you learned about investing that you think all investors should know?
Try to buy value. In the past, I've been a buy-and-hold (investor) because I viewed myself as a long-term investor, but recently I changed my strategy and will try to sell portions in peak times in the market and recoup my investment.
Q. How would you describe your approach to investing?
I think I'm conservative, but I don't have a lot of fixed income. I really go for growth and income. I try to buy things that have at least a 10-year history.
Q. What do you find the most difficult about investing?
I guess it takes me a lot of time to research. I wish I could do it all quicker.
Q. How are you invested now?
Probably 5 percent in bonds, maybe 20 percent in funds, the other 75 percent in individually held stocks.
Q. Do you think now is a good time to invest?
Yes, because when the market is down, it's when people are the most afraid to buy, but that's when the value is there and when their money is going to make money for them.
Q. What is your goal for investing?
I really just want my money to grow, and probably not until I am in my late 50s would I think I'd change my investment strategy.
Q. Where do you get your investment tips?
I try to tear out any information I see on a company I'm interested in so I can research it. I have a broker but I trust my own judgment.
