How to invest

Quick Update. I’ve been informed that data retrieval for the various free stock spreadsheets on this site is not working.

Until now, I have been using Morningstar as the main data source, but as of yesterday, Morningstar has completely redesigned their website and the data is no longer available.

I will be fixing the free spreadsheets in the coming days and weeks, but the premium spreadsheet buyers have first priority with updates and support.

In the meantime, I appreciate your patience.

For premium members still within their 1 year free upgrade period, this is to let you know that I’ve sent out updates to fix the bond rates in the Graham valuation tab.

I also wanted to get your feedback on the changes I’ve been making to the spreadsheet. Below is a comparison between the old design and new design. Could you let me know which one you think provides a clearer message?

The version I am working on has all the required inputs at the top instead of being scattered everywhere and you can also choose whether you want to use owner earnings or FCF in your calculation.

The 5yr and 10yr spreadsheet will be consolidated into one, and I’ll try to include micro charts and conditional formatting in the appropriate places so that it isn’t just the data conveying the message.

Current Spreadsheet (click to enlarge)

Work in Progress Spreadsheet (click to enlarge)

Things will be slow this week. I’m in Napa Valley enjoying the scenery and wine tasting. Drove about 16 hours to get here..

I’m still checking emails and trying to reply but the number of emails and forums posts are starting to get backed up.

Still finding time to read a few paragraphs of the MHH 10-K report and hope to at least get another post by this week.

Photo Credit

God bless you and your family

Merry Christmas

With the increasing popularity of the free stock analysis tools as well as the premium stock analysis spreadsheets, helping people troubleshoot and install the stock spreadsheets is beginning to take up more and more time.

So with all future updates, I have now changed the SMF Add-in location from “C:\program files\SMF Add-in” to “C:\SMF”

I have had instances where people

• use non english windows which messes up the location
• use _ instead of -
• installed under D: instead of C:
• forgot the space between SMF and Add
• unzip to another folder within the SMF Add-in
• etc etc

For those of you well familiar with excel, there is no harm in moving the add in to C:\SMF and then re-pointing the add-in from excel.

If you are uncomfortable with the whole process, you can wait for the next update.

If you do decide to go ahead, follow the instructions in the latest revised installation manual which includes a new step by step section on how to update links.

Important Point

If you move the add-in to C:\SMF and then get the update links box but the “Change Source” button is grayed out, make sure you close the prompt and unprotect all the worksheets first. If a worksheet is locked, then excel won’t allow you to update links.

Or like I said, just wait for the  next release which should be easier.