Book Summery for “The Little Book That Still Beats the Market” by Joel Greenblatt

Steve Ryman
5 min readFeb 2, 2024

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Introduction

“The Little Book That Still Beats the Market” by Joel Greenblatt is an easy-to-read manual that teaches investors how to apply a straightforward formula to generate extraordinary profits in the stock market. Renowned investment manager and Columbia Business School professor Greenblatt presents the “Magic Formula” as a means of locating cheap firms that yield substantial returns on investment. Both new and seasoned investors can understand the stock market investment procedure thanks to the book’s demystification of it.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Why You Can Beat the Market

Summary: Greenblatt starts off by refuting the widely held notion that individual investors can never outperform the market in the long run. He contends that investors may outperform the market averages if they take a methodical approach.

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Chapter 2: How the Market Works

Summary: The fundamentals of the stock market are covered in this chapter, with a focus on the idea that stocks are ownership stakes in actual companies. Greenblatt emphasizes how crucial it is to judge companies on the basis of their core competencies as opposed to engaging in speculative trading.

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Chapter 3: The Magic Formula

Summary: Here, Greenblatt presents the “Magic Formula,” a simple approach to stock selection. Companies are ranked according to a formula that takes into account their return on capital (a measure of efficiency) and earnings yield (a measure of profitability).

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Chapter 4: Trying It Out

Summary: Greenblatt invites readers to put the Magic Formula to the test on their own. He gives instances of previous successful applications of the algorithm, proving its ability to produce better results.

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Chapter 5: Just Common Sense

Summary: We delve deeper into the reasoning behind the Magic Formula. According to Greenblatt, the parameters in the formula assist investors in identifying businesses that are both successful and offered at a bargain, which are crucial markers of future success.

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Chapter 6: What Does Mr. Market Do?

Summary: Greenblatt talks on the idea of “Mr. Market,” which is a metaphor for the erratic behaviour of the stock market. He counsels investors to maintain composure and reason, particularly in the face of chaotic market behaviour.

Chapter 7: ’Tis Better to Buy Cheap

Summary: It is stressed how important it is to purchase equities at a bargain. According to Greenblatt, investing in cheap stocks creates a margin of safety and paves the way for returns that are higher than normal.

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Chapter 8: Playing the Numbers

Summary: Greenblatt explores the statistical underpinnings of the Magic Formula’s effectiveness. Through consistent use of the technique, investors can gradually increase their odds of success.

Chapter 9: Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware

Summary: Frequently made errors and possible dangers when using the Magic Formula are discussed. Greenblatt offers advice on how to stay out of these pitfalls by rigorously following the guidelines in the formula.

Chapter 10: The Human Element

Summary: A look is taken at the psychological aspects of investing. Greenblatt talks on how emotional control is crucial to following the Magic Formula even when it doesn’t seem to work well at first.

Chapter 11: A Little More About What We’ve Learned

Summary: Greenblatt provides an overview of the most important takeaways from using the Magic Formula. He restates the significance of discipline, patience, and a long-term outlook in investing.

Chapter 12: Adding Your Two Cents

Summary: Greenblatt gives guidance in the book’s conclusion on how investors might modify the Magic Formula to fit their unique situation and risk tolerance. He upholds the fundamentals of the method while encouraging readers to exercise individual thought.

Conclusion

“The Little Book That Still Beats the Market” provides a straightforward, doable method for locating high-quality, cheaply listed companies, demystifying stock market investing. Joel Greenblatt’s Magic Formula is a philosophy that prioritizes reason, self-control, and an emphasis on underlying value rather than just a technique for selecting stocks. Greenblatt contends that by following these guidelines, investors may outperform the market in the long run and obtain greater returns. Anyone wishing to use a clear-cut, tried-and-true method to handle the intricacies of investing should read this book immediately.

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Steve Ryman
Steve Ryman

Written by Steve Ryman

CEO of Grabb Media, Marketing Expert and keen interest in awesome books

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