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DAVID VAURIO: 58, teacher, New Port Richey

By Times Staff Writer
Published August 28, 2005

How did you get started in investing?

I got started investing when I was about 16. There was a new project that had to do with buying fractional shares. I started with purchases of IBM.

What is your best investment so far?

Amgem, a biotech company. It has done excellent - a 400 percent return.

What is your worst investment so far?

There was one that went bankrupt, a German company, Lion Bioscience, that made software to analyze genomes. It did terrible.

What have you learned about investing that you think all investors should know?

I read technical magazines. I get ideas about companies that are just starting out, before the products are even developed.

How would you describe your approach to investing?

Conservative, moderate, risk-taking - all of the above.

What do you find the most difficult about investing?

I don't find anything difficult. It's an enjoyable part-time hobby.

How are you invested now?

Approximately 37 percent in conservative asset allocation mutual funds, 33 percent directly in U.S. stocks, 3 percent in foreign stocks and 26 percent in municipal bonds.

What changes, if any, have you made in your investments in the past year?

I've been moving more of my stocks into asset allocation mutual funds.

Do you think now is a good time to invest?

I'm neutral for the next four to five months because of interest rates and the price of oil and the impact that's probably going to have on consumer spending .

Preservation of capital for retirement and to create some wealth to pass on to children and grandchildren.

Where do you go for your investment tips?

I read Barron's, the Wall Street Journal, Money magazine, Kiplinger's and the MIT Technology Review on a regular basis. I use YahooFinance.com.

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 18:17:02]