Core Viewpoint - American Express (NYSE: AXP) reported strong Q2 performance with revenue of $17.856 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, and adjusted EPS of $4.08, which is 5.15% higher than Wall Street's forecast [2] Financial Performance - Revenue grew by 9% year-over-year, and adjusted EPS increased by 17% when excluding the impact of the sale of Accertify-related gains [2][6] - Credit quality indicators remained robust, with a stable percentage of loans and receivables overdue by more than 30 days, even healthier than pre-pandemic levels [5] - Total loans and receivables reached $211.976 billion, with a quarter-over-quarter growth of 2.2% and a year-over-year growth of 9.3% [6] Business Segments - The highest revenue-generating segments were U.S. Consumer Services at $8.553 billion and Business Services at $4.212 billion, while International Card Services showed significant growth with revenue of $3.232 billion [8] Shareholder Returns - The company increased its quarterly dividend by 17% to $0.82, resulting in a total shareholder return rate of 4.04% [8] - The aggressive stock buyback program has raised the return on equity to 32.39% [8] Valuation Metrics - American Express has a current P/E ratio of 21.37, significantly higher than the financial sector median of 13.75, but the gap has narrowed since April [10] - Analysts estimate a fair value of $393.50 per share, indicating an upside potential of 27.8% from the current share price of $307.95 [11] Market Outlook - Despite concerns regarding inflation and its potential impact on consumer spending, American Express's strong performance and asset quality suggest resilience, particularly given its affluent customer base [12]

Core Viewpoint - The investment philosophy of Zhuque Fund's Chen Fei emphasizes the importance of safety margins and clear industry trends, focusing on companies with "business extension lines" under a secure margin [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - Chen Fei's investment focus is on companies in the growth and optimization phases of their industry lifecycle, identifying three stages: growth, intensified competition, and optimization [2] - The strategy includes investing in "Mount Everest-type" companies with significant potential and "tomorrow's stars" that are positioned in key industries [2] - The emphasis is on the alignment with industry logic and the importance of individual stock safety margins [2] Group 2: Safety Margin Framework - The safety margin framework consists of three layers: static safety margin, dynamic safety margin, and negative list management [3] - The static safety margin involves assessing undervalued core assets and hidden asset values such as patents and brand barriers [3] - The dynamic safety margin considers companies with high growth potential that can justify current valuations through future performance [3] - Negative list management involves avoiding companies with high debt levels and unclear business models [3] Group 3: Sector Focus - Chen Fei has increased investment in SMIC, holding 8.24% of shares by Q2 2024, when the stock's PB was between 0.6 and 0.7 [3] - The AI sector is expected to continue driving industry growth, with a focus on cloud-related hardware and software companies [4] - The innovative drug sector is gaining attention as China becomes a major hub for drug development, with significant advancements in dual antibodies and ADCs [5]

Core Viewpoint - Valuation modeling is an essential skill in the financial industry, applicable across various fields such as primary equity, private placements, and secondary markets like IPOs and mergers and acquisitions [1] Group 1: Issues in Current Valuation Modeling - The existing valuation modeling systems in the market face several practical issues, including: - Logical issues where data presentation is overly complex, making it difficult for company leaders to understand [2] - Problems with the selection and combination of valuation methods, leading to significantly different results from methods like DCF, PE, PB, EV/EBITDA, and others [2] - Deficiencies in assumptions used in DCF calculations, often based on arbitrary reasoning rather than solid evidence [2] Group 2: Training Program Details - A training program titled "DCF Cash Flow Discounting - Rapid Skill Building Guide" will be held on July 19-20, 2025, in Shanghai, organized by Wutong Classroom in collaboration with M&A Academy [2] - The program aims to address the key challenges affecting valuation judgment and decision-making communication [2] Group 3: Instructors' Background - The instructors have extensive experience in industry research and investment, covering various sectors: - Instructor Liu has 10 years of industry research and investment experience, specializing in cash flow discount valuation modeling [7] - Instructor Yu is familiar with valuation methods for innovative drugs and vaccines, having provided training for multiple institutions [7] - Instructor Xue has experience in cyclical and consumer industries, focusing on profit estimation and price-volume decomposition [8] Group 4: Course Structure and Content - The course will cover several modules, including: - Valuation issues and frameworks, including valuation laws and profit forecasting [13][14] - Practical exercises in DCF valuation modeling, including the underlying principles and preparation for modeling [15][18] - Building revenue forecasting tables and case studies using various methods such as market share and comprehensive methods [21][22] - Special valuation methods like EV/EBITDA and NAV, along with practical issues in valuation [24][22] Group 5: Course Outcomes - Participants will gain skills in tracking economic conditions, understanding capital market information pricing mechanisms, and applying safety margin thinking in valuation [28]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of Benjamin Graham's book "Security Analysis" as a foundational text for understanding investment philosophy and methodology [1][10][12] - It highlights three main investment principles from Graham: margin of safety, Mr. Market, and investing with a business perspective [5][10] - The text discusses the significance of financial statements in assessing a company's intrinsic value and the need for deeper analysis beyond surface-level profit growth [2][3][4] Summary by Sections Investment Philosophy - Graham's investment philosophy is rooted in the concepts of margin of safety, which arises from both undervaluation and solid fundamentals, and Mr. Market, who can exhibit extreme optimism or pessimism [5][6] - The article suggests that understanding these principles is crucial for value investing, especially in volatile markets like A-shares [5][6] Financial Analysis - The book "Security Analysis" provides a framework for fundamental analysis through financial statements, allowing investors to evaluate a company's intrinsic capabilities and value over time [2][3] - It stresses the importance of recognizing that financial data reflects underlying business realities, which may not always align with short-term market perceptions [3][4] Market Dynamics - The article notes that market conditions, particularly in China, have evolved rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities for investors [2][3] - It points out that while industries may show impressive growth in financial reports, the underlying business models and competitive advantages must be critically assessed to avoid pitfalls [4][5] Value Investing in China - The text asserts that value investing principles are applicable in the Chinese market, with historical evidence of successful long-term returns for value investors [6][11] - It highlights the need for investors to develop independent judgment and discipline in their investment approach, particularly in a rapidly changing economic landscape [6][11]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the timeless principles of value investing as articulated in Benjamin Graham's "Security Analysis," which remains relevant despite changing market conditions and investment paradigms [1][7]. Group 1: Historical Context - "Security Analysis" was published in 1934, following the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression, which significantly influenced Graham's investment philosophy [1]. - The book critiques the stock selection criteria used during the bull market prior to the crash, highlighting a shift from focusing on tangible assets and dividends to speculative future earnings [1][2]. Group 2: Evolution of Investment Principles - The article discusses the transition from valuing tangible assets in Graham's era to recognizing the importance of intangible assets like patents and brands in the late 20th century, and the emergence of network effects as a key competitive advantage in the 21st century [2]. Group 3: Timeless Investment Principles - The first principle is "Equity Thinking," which emphasizes viewing investments from an owner's perspective, reinforcing the idea that value is the foundation of investment [4]. - The second principle is "Contrarian Thinking," which encourages investors to question market consensus and act against prevailing emotions, advocating for buying undervalued assets and selling overvalued ones [5]. - The third principle is "Risk Thinking," which highlights the importance of recognizing asymmetric risks in finance and the necessity of strategies that ensure capital safety and satisfactory returns [6]. Group 4: Conclusion - The article concludes that the core principles of equity thinking, contrarian thinking, and risk thinking from "Security Analysis" are essential for successful investing across different market conditions and should be deeply understood and applied [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recovery of A-shares due to the end of tariff shocks and the return of low interest rates and risk appetite, emphasizing the importance of timing and style rotation in investment strategies [2]. Investment Philosophy - The investment philosophy centers on "value stock selection, technical timing, and prioritizing capital safety," focusing on steady investments and capturing opportunities during market corrections [5]. - The advisor emphasizes the importance of timing in investments, advocating for a right-side trading approach that allows for better investor experience [6]. Valuation and Safety Margin - Valuation assessment combines both art and science, relying on financial data and industry trends while also considering market conditions [7]. - Key indicators for judging valuation include historical comparisons, industry benchmarks, and dynamic PE ratios, with a cautious approach to maintaining a safety margin [8]. Stock Selection Strategy - The advisor prefers a bottom-up stock selection strategy, focusing on individual company fundamentals rather than macroeconomic trends [9]. - A good company is defined by reasonable valuation, consistent profit growth exceeding 20%, significant competitive advantages, and strong cash flow [10]. Financial Statement Analysis - Financial statements are crucial for assessing a company's operational status and identifying potential risks, requiring a thorough understanding of historical data [11][12].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex investment analysis while maintaining a deep understanding of the underlying fundamentals of companies and industries [4][6][30]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The essence of successful investing lies in balancing short-term demands with long-term goals, recognizing that perfect information is unattainable and focusing on risk and return [1][2]. - A key judgment standard is to simplify while ensuring a deep understanding of the essence of the business [4][7]. Group 2: Identifying Quality Companies - A good company is characterized by its competitive advantages, often referred to as a "moat," which should be as wide as possible [10]. - Essential structural features of quality companies include low capital intensity, pricing power, stable recurring revenue, enduring market position, and long-term growth potential [11]. - The analysis should start from the balance sheet and cash flow statement rather than the income statement to reveal the true operational essence of a company [12]. Group 3: Management Team Evaluation - The integrity of the management team is crucial; if management is not trustworthy, it is advisable to avoid the stock altogether [15]. - Evaluating management involves examining their incentive structures, time allocation, and conducting thorough market research to cross-verify their capabilities [19][20]. - The allocation of resources by management during critical times can significantly impact long-term outcomes, making capital allocation a key indicator of management quality [17][18]. Group 4: Pricing and Valuation - Determining a "reasonable" price for a company is more challenging than assessing its quality, and it should be grounded in an understanding of the business's fundamentals [22]. - The concept of a company's moat should be assessed not just on historical performance but also on current competitive positioning and potential vulnerabilities [24]. - A clear valuation model is essential, focusing on future cash flows and the necessary capital investments to sustain growth [28][27]. Group 5: Practical Insights - Investors should ask critical questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the company, such as its sustainable competitive advantages and its resilience in downturns [25][26]. - The article highlights the importance of focusing on shareholder returns and examining the company's capital structure to understand the volatility of equity value [29].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing in the Chinese market, highlighting that "Securities Analysis" serves as an essential guide for investors to understand both the methodology and philosophy behind value investing [3][9] - It discusses three main investment principles from Graham: margin of safety, Mr. Market, and investing with a business perspective, which are interconnected and form a logical framework for value investing [6][9] Financial Analysis - The book "Securities Analysis" uses accounting language as its foundation, focusing on financial statements to provide a practical methodology for fundamental analysis [4] - It suggests that analyzing a company's financial performance over time can help assess its intrinsic capabilities and value, similar to evaluating a student's academic performance [4][5] - The article stresses the need to look beyond surface-level profit growth and to analyze the underlying capabilities of companies through their financial reports [6][7] Market Dynamics - The article notes that price fluctuations reflect underlying value, with stock prices being influenced by both fundamental data and intrinsic capabilities [8] - It highlights the volatility of stock prices in the A-share market, which can create opportunities for investors when prices are significantly undervalued [8] - The discussion includes the importance of understanding a company's core competitiveness, industry landscape, and management quality as part of assessing its intrinsic value [8][9] Investment Philosophy - The article asserts that value investing is applicable in China, supported by historical evidence of high long-term returns for skilled value investors [9] - It emphasizes the necessity for investors to develop discipline and independent judgment, which can be enhanced by mastering the knowledge and techniques presented in "Securities Analysis" [9]

Core Insights - The article discusses the release of the 7th edition of "Security Analysis," which retains the essence of the 2nd edition cherished by Warren Buffett while incorporating insights from 15 Wall Street investment masters [1] - The new edition emphasizes the enduring principles of value investing, highlighting that despite market changes over the past 90 years, the core investment wisdom remains applicable today [1][24] - The essence of value investing is to purchase securities at a price below their intrinsic value, often summarized as "buying for 50 cents on the dollar" [4][24] Value Investing Principles - Value investors profit through cash flows generated by the underlying business and capital gains when the market recognizes the intrinsic value [5] - A significant aspect of value investing is the margin of safety, which protects investors from errors in judgment and market fluctuations [5] - Identifying and purchasing undervalued securities is crucial, but determining the right entry and exit points requires subjective judgment [5][6] Market Behavior and Investor Psychology - Investors often react emotionally to market movements, leading to irrational buying and selling decisions [9][10] - Maintaining a contrarian viewpoint and conducting thorough fundamental analysis is essential for value investors to avoid herd mentality [7][10] Investment Strategy and Analysis - Value investors should plan to exit positions when securities return to their intrinsic value, typically selling when prices are 10%-20% below their assessed value [6] - A disciplined selling strategy allows investors to reallocate capital to more attractive opportunities [7] - The complexity of financial analysis has increased, necessitating strong analytical skills to derive accurate conclusions from available data [13][14] Technological Impact on Investing - The rapid technological advancements have transformed the investment landscape, requiring investors to adapt their analysis methods [15][16] - Companies today face unique challenges and opportunities due to technological disruption, making traditional valuation methods less applicable [15][18] Future Considerations - Value investors must focus on sustainable future cash flows while being cautious of overpaying for growth potential [19][20] - The investment landscape is evolving, and successful investors must continuously refine their strategies to account for changing market dynamics [23][24]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of reading "Security Analysis" by Benjamin Graham, highlighting it as a must-read for every investor, especially those interested in value investing [2][6]. Summary by Sections Importance of "Security Analysis" - "Security Analysis" is regarded as a "bible" of value investing, essential for anyone wishing to pursue this investment strategy [6]. - The book provides a clear direction for investors, emphasizing that effort alone does not guarantee success in investing; the right approach is crucial [6][7]. Investment vs. Speculation - The first chapter of "Security Analysis" distinguishes between investment and speculation, stating that investors focus on risk and return, while speculators are influenced by market and price factors [8][9]. - Investors should concentrate on the intrinsic value of a company, rather than external factors like management actions or market liquidity [10]. Key Concepts Introduced by Graham - Graham introduced the concept of "margin of safety," which is defined as buying an asset for less than its intrinsic value, ensuring a buffer against uncertainties [10]. - The book also discusses cash flow as a critical measure for determining an asset's profitability, advocating for a cautious approach to estimating intrinsic value [10]. Updates in the New Edition - The new edition of "Security Analysis" has been expanded by approximately 150,000 words, bringing the total to 1.1 million words, and includes contributions from several prominent value investors [13][16]. - The updated version incorporates modern insights, including behavioral finance concepts like "anchoring effect," which explains why many struggle with value investing despite its apparent simplicity [14]. Broader Applicability - The book's new content demonstrates that value investing principles are applicable not only in the U.S. but may also be more effective in the Chinese market [15]. - The enduring relevance of "Security Analysis" is highlighted, as it continues to provide foundational knowledge for successful investing nearly 90 years after its original publication [16].