Philip L. Carret (1896-1998) was a famed investor and founder of The Pioneer Fund (Fidelity Mutual Trust), one of the first Mutual Funds in the United States. A former Barron’s reporter and WWI aviator, Carret launched the Mutual Trust in 1928 after managing money for his friends and family. The initial effort evolved into Pioneer Investments. He ran the fund for 55 years, during which an investment of $10,000 became $8 million. Warren Buffett said of him that he had “the best long term investment record of anyone I know” He is most famous for the long successful track record he achieved investing in Common Stocks and for being one of Warren Buffett’s role models. This book comprises a series of articles written for Barron’s and published in book form in 1930.—Print Ed.

Learn the fundamentals of trading in the stock exchange market with this comprehensive guidebook, written in the early 20th century. Although some of the terms might be outdated today, it is still a perfect resource for beginners looking to understand the basics of stock trading. With a focus on cultivating the right temperament for successful speculation, readers will find valuable insights into the mindset and strategies necessary for profitable trading that remains true throughout the ages.

Haphazard dabbling in stocks by amateur traders undoubtedly is dangerous. The odds are all in favor of losing money. The risks can be greatly reduced if the trader only would make some attempt to learn the rules of the game. Driving an automobile is dangerous, and few people attempt it without first learning something of the mechanism of the car. But any death-dealing machine can be made safe through knowledge of its working parts and possibilities. -from the Foreword There are common-sense rules for even the most daring investment speculation, even in a precarious economic environment... as in the wake of the dramatic stock market crash of 1929. This guide to smart speculating offers sound advice on determining whether you're really cut out for speculation, what warning signs in your financial situation should steer you toward safer investing, the best way to use margin trading, how to find reliable information on stocks, why you should shun all tips, why you should be a "bad loser," and much more. Not just a historical guide to one of the most unstable periods in American economic history, this is a useful primer for today's investor, too.

The circulation of a mere rumor that the Morgan interests are accumulating Steel or that the Standard Oil crowd is getting out of St. Paul is sure at any time to create a market following. Most of the tips that are hawked about the Street are based on the supposition that somebody-or-other of consequence is buying or selling certain stocks. I do not know of a single case where anyone has been able to make money consistently by following information of this character, even when the information comes to him first hand. -from "A Speculative Decision" In 1917, an insider at a Wall Street brokerage firm took a close look at his company's most active traders and analyzed their trades to glean the secrets of their success... and what he found is still applicable today. Writing pseudonymously, he here offers a wide range of sage advice about: . buying on the way down . determining trends . how a bull market starts . the correct use of stop orders . when and what to sell short . and more.