In this timely book, Mr. Bowser shares the magic of leverage that comes with studying, buying and selling stocks for $3 or less for three decades. All his wisdom and accumulated experiences are digested in this book. Also, he discusses in detail his unique Game Plan and his 12 Point Rating System. The book outlines the historical basis for the author’s theories, which have resulted in startling gains. This is a raod map that guides one to success in what are admittedly speculati…
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This is possibly the worst written book that I could conceive of giving four stars. The reason I am rating “Making Dollars with Pennies” so highly is due to its content and because Max Bowser, who has been publishing his “Bowser Report” for over 25 years, is the real deal. Actually, the book is a quick and easy read, with a folksy demeanor. No high finance here. The book may be most helpful for people who have already been in the market for a little while (and perhaps been burned). The book is weak as a work of literature due to its poor organization and repetitiveness (stressing diversification among 12 to 18 stocks several times).
I believe that to succeed as an active investor in today’s market, you need some kind of an “edge” or a niche. One way to obtain that is to focus on stocks trading under $3 per share, as Max does. Let the book serve as your trail guide into the jungle of smaller stocks. While Max rails against the studious ignorance among institutions of these supposedly risky shares, in practice he is quite careful about what he does. Although the selection of new issues is somewhat shrouded in mystery (with Bowser encouraging readers to subscribe to his monthly report in order to get new picks) he gives sufficient detail of his “Bowser Rating” system to uncover his thought process. Two significant ways Bowser reduces risk of investing among smaller stocks is by having a bias towards companies with strong balance sheets and a consistent record of past earnings – no development-stage, long shot concept stocks here.
One important caveat to keep in mind about Bowser’s system is that it was honed during the mid-to-late 70s, when treading water was often difficult. To the extent that his methodology or conclusions have become stale or outdated, it may trace to ideas he tested at that time. Personally, I find the vintage comforting as our 2000-2010 market may possibly have more in common with the 70s than the 80s or 90s bull runs. Also please note that some of his suggestions, particularly for the mechanics of setting up and monitoring a portfolio, appear to have been made obsolete by the internet.
Aside from diversification, Bowser’s possibly most important other safeguard is a formula for selling. First of all, whenever a stock’s “Bowser Rating” falls below 8, the stock is sold, forcing an investor to sell companies with deteriorating fundamentals. Secondly, whenever a stock doubles, an investor is encouraged to sell half of his or her position, recouping cost. The remainder of a rising position is then held until it declines 25% from its most recent high.
How have Bowser’s picks (from over 25 years of newsletters) done over time? As he says towards the end of the book [p. 157], 47% of the companies are still in business, 26% have been bought out and 27% are bankrupt. Over their holding periods, more recommended stocks have declined than have advanced. However, absent audited statistics, it appears that tiny minorities of winning stocks have more than made up for the losers. These big winners are mentioned in an “honor roll”, and include firms such as Semtech, Smithfield Foods and Alpha Systems. The great hope of the investor in small stocks is not that the average pick will do well, but that a small number of them will be big winners – which is why diversification is so important.
“Making Dollars with Pennies” is only a beginning. It is no substitute for doing more work on your own.
Mr. Bowser has provided the public with a tremendous set of strategies to incorporate into our own investing approaches. He has done so by staying away from a lot of the “Wall Street Jargon” which can intimidate many of us who are still learning. He provides information which is below the radar screen for most of the larger brokerage houses. If you are interested in pursuing investing on a do-it-yourself basis, his book will provide you with a solid basis from which to start your search for appropriate stocks. Most of us can afford to buy some shares at less than $3.00/share. Mr. Bowser provides the education necessary to select those stocks. He has done a very good service for the “little guy” in the investing field.
I have read several investment guidance books where the only guidance offered is to buy the authors newsletter/consulting/mutual fund/etc. “Making Dollars with Pennies” at least explains the methodology of how the “Bowser Report” picks stocks before recommending that instead of spending your free time analyzing stocks you pay Max Bowser to do it for you.
The “Bowser” system is simple enought to understand and follow, with a list of “buy” indicators that can be learned from any financial page, and most refreshingly a system for when to sell. Although I have my reservations about whether the mechanical application of this system will make money, I have to give Mr. Bowser credit for explaining his system. If nothing else, it is a basis for further esploration.