News
The hottest stocks are quietly getting killed off

By Michael O’Connor
Markets are constantly changing and adapting, but a timeless law is that money will always chase performance, leaving us a step behind.
Over the last six months, four stocks - Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia and Google - have generated almost 70% of the S&P 500's return.
Meanwhile, many of the retail investing favourites continue their precipitous decline.
In what has now been dubbed the Tarantino Market, the hottest stocks from last year are quietly getting killed in the basement while everything continues as normal in the front room.
Docusign, Square, and Twilio have all lost between 20% and 35% YTD
Teledoc, Zoom, Beyond Meat and Zillow have lost roughly 50% YTD
StoneCo, Pelaton and Lemonade are down between 65% and 80% YTD
The S&P 500 Index is up almost 25% this year, relentlessly hitting all-time highs in December while growth names crumble in the background.
A reminder that stock picking is hard, and nothing lasts forever.
Statistically impossible
For tech growth stocks that had produced record growth numbers in recent times, the endless upward trajectory was unsustainable, and those who assumed a perpetual state of hyper-growth are now beginning to sober up. It's a lesson learned.
It's easy to get drawn in by the enticing narrative that these mammoth growth rates create, but these growth rates will never persist; it's a statistical impossibility. 100% revenue growth is an impressive but manageable task if your total revenue is 100k. Doubling your revenue from $500 million to $1 billion is a much more arduous endeavour.
Don't get too attached to the hyper-growth story. The rate of growth is guaranteed to slow down over time, and much of this future growth is already baked into the price.
Ensure you have other areas of conviction that you can assign to the company. Every company can have a hyper-growth story at some time or another. You need to have enough conviction to stay the course as the narrative changes and companies encounter inevitable growing pains.
You will never expose yourself to the exponential returns these companies offer in the long run if your only metric is price. Focus on finding companies you believe in with strong moats, inspirational founders, and innovative IP - companies that correspond with your vision of the future. Focusing on understanding what you're invested in and why you are invested in it makes it a lot easier to ignore the guaranteed price fluctuations over time.
With that said, markets, companies and people change, so make sure to objectively assess your positions at regular intervals to ensure your original investment thesis still applies.
Momentum is a powerful force in today's market and making investments simply because a stock has gone up in price and you are looking to get in on the action can be a rewarding strategy in the short run.
Still, without understanding what you own and why you own it, you are in for a painstaking investment experience laced with perpetual uncertainty.
Make a plan
The recent losses across the popular retail investor names has highlighted the need to stay focused on the core principles of long-term investing.
· Don't get caught up on short-term moves. Focus on your long-term time horizon
· Make sure you have adequate diversification
· Be patient: There will be periods where markets fall over 10%, that is a guarantee
· Stay committed to the companies you believe in; conviction is everything
· Be an opportunist: Use market corrections to build out positions in your favourite stocks.
As always, you can find more investing information at theislandinvestor.com.
News
Camera club returns after summer break
Killarney Camera Club will begin its new autumn season with an open night in The Brehon Hotel on September 28. This is the first meeting since the club broke up […]

Killarney Camera Club will begin its new autumn season with an open night in The Brehon Hotel on September 28.
This is the first meeting since the club broke up for the summer – new members are invited to attend the open meeting later this month .
“Our final competition of the last season was our Open Print competition in June, and 20 unique and enthralling prints were on display in The Brehon on the night. Well done to everyone who put in the time, effort and expense to enter the competition. Thanks also to the many members who were involved in the logistics of bringing the season’s end competition to fruition.,” said club secretary Deirdre O’Donoghue.
“Throughout the year we hold a series of zoom meetings, fortnightly, and also have many in-house presentations of guest speakers , in their respective areas of photographic expertise , as well as occasional photographic outings throughout the club’s calendar year.”
News
Kilcummin Comhaltas CCE launches trad music initiative
A new initiative from Kilcummin Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with Conor Moriarty sees the branch offer group music classes for those interested in traditional playing. Conor is combining with […]

A new initiative from Kilcummin Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with Conor Moriarty sees the branch offer group music classes for those interested in traditional playing.
Conor is combining with the branch to gather musicians form beginner to advanced to give the ultimate group music experience.
“Its a great chance for newer players to learn from Conor, who himself is a champion musician but also from the other musicians that will attend the group in what undoubtedly will also offer a social outlet to all involved,” said Derek O Leary, PRO of Kilcummin Comhaltas CCE.
Conor has enormous previous experience. He is one of Irelands leading accordion players starting his playing career at the age seven. In 2009, Conor was crowned All-Ireland Champion on Melodeon at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann and followed that up by becoming senior All-Ireland accordion Champion in 2010.
He also completed his MA in Irish traditional music performance at University Limerick that same year. He has worked professionally with many organisations including Siamsa Tire and more recently Gaelic Roots the show. He is also a much sought after music teacher where he has always enjoyed passing on his knowledge to the next generation.
The group sessions start on September 27 for an initial five-week term from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm in Kilcummin Rural Development Office.
For further details contact Conor on 087 9698063
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