2 Simple Strategies for Better Growth Investing

Updated
Worldwide Invest Better Day 9/25/2012
Worldwide Invest Better Day 9/25/2012

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which analyst John Reeves and advisor David Meier discuss topics around the investing world.

Here are two bits of wisdom from Peter Lynch that can make you a better growth investor. The first thing Lynch says to do is "invest early" in a growth company, perhaps in the equivalent of the company's third inning. Investors want to have a long runway ahead of them. That's why John and David have invested in LinkedIn, even though it doesn't necessarily look "cheap." This strategy doesn't always work out, though. An early investment in Zipcar has been painful for John and David so far. But that's why investors should build a big portfolio of growth companies.

Lynch also says, "Let your winners run and cut your losers." Most investors tend to do precisely the opposite -- adding to the losers and selling the winners too early. This strategy isn't foolproof, either. John and David added to their position in Google on the way up, but they've also purchased additional shares of Infinera on the way down.


While these two pieces of advice aren't perfect, they seem to work more often than not. Investing early and letting your winners run are two ways you can invest better.

For more, check out the following video.

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The article 2 Simple Strategies for Better Growth Investing originally appeared on Fool.com.

David Meier owns shares of Infinera and Zipcar. John Reeves owns shares of Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google, Infinera, LinkedIn, and Zipcar. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Google, Infinera, LinkedIn, and Zipcar. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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