Is Investing in Turnarounds a Good Idea? 🔄


Hi Reader,

Turnarounds are tricky beasts.

They can make you rich or leave you broke.

In 1997, Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy. The stock was trading below ten cents when Steve Jobs returned to the company and redefined the tech industry starting with the iPod. Today it trades above $200. A $10,000 investment back then would now be worth $20+ million today.

But for every Apple, there's a Toys"R"Us trying to turn things around for years just to file for bankruptcy in 2018.

So, what makes a successful turnaround?

First, you need a rockstar CEO. Think Alan Mulally at Ford during the 2008 crisis. He steered that ship like a pro.

Next, cash is king. Apple got a $150 million lifeline from no other than Microsoft! Without it, we would have no iPhone and no Apple.

Lastly, the company needs a solid core business. After declaring bankruptcy in 2009, General Motors focused on what they did best—making cars people want to drive.

Turnarounds are no walk in the park.

Most turnarounds fail. The old saying “turnarounds seldom turn” is very real.

Turnarounds take time. We're talking 2-3 years minimum.

Turnarounds feel bad. The market often stays pessimistic even when things are improving. It's frustrating, but it's the reality.

So, should you invest in turnarounds? Well, that totally depends on you. Do your homework. Look for strong leadership, sufficient cash, and a viable core business. And remember that investing in turnarounds doesn’t feel good… until it does!

As always, please remember this isn't investing advice—make sure to read our ​disclaimer​. Invest at your own risk.

If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with a friend and, if someone forwarded this to you, you can sign up at https://convert.monk.st.

Have an amazing week and... happy investing!

Best,

Alberto

The Investing Monk Weekly

Gain access to data-driven insights, investing resources, and science-backed stock picks, delivered straight to your inbox.

Read more from The Investing Monk Weekly

Dear Reader, I have a confession to make before we start. Yesterday evening, as I was putting the final touches on this week's analysis, something happened that forced me to scrap everything and start anew. My planned pick, Doximity (MonkScore: 93/100), presented such stellar earning results that its stock shot up almost 40% in a single session! Talk about timing! Just hours before I could share this gem with you, the market caught on to what our MonkScore had already identified. While it's...

Dear Reader, Just like a perfect meal balances flavors, successful investing is about finding companies that blend growth potential with strong fundamentals. Today, I want to share a company that’s capturing attention not only for its flavor but for its potential to deliver robust returns. With rapid growth, an asset-light model, and a focus on shareholder value, this company has positioned itself as a unique investment opportunity in a competitive industry. Introducing Wingstop...

Dear Reader, Parenting in 2024 feels like a constant race to create that Pinterest-perfect childhood. What if we could intentionally do less? In today’s email, we’ll explore the surprising benefits of mindful under-parenting—a concept that surprisingly relates to smart investing. Stay with me; you might be surprised. In today's issue... ‣ The Surprising Power of Boredom ‣ The Nvidia Case ‣ The Art of Patience And More! ⏳ Read Time: <3 minutes I hope you've had a great week! It’s the third...