The Little Blue Book

  • Evaluate stocks based on earnings yield and return on capital.
  • Pick winning companies by combining these two factors and ranking them — the "Magic Formula."
  • Invest in the 20-30 top companies on that list and hold each stock for a year. After a year, sell winners and losers and repeat the process.
  • Joel uses the "Magic Formula" as a screen for investing.
  • Be patient — it's what makes this formula unpopular, but effective. You can lose for years in a row.
  • A Ben Graham-like approach to investing.