Mark Lin

Most retailers carry products that can also be bought from their competitors. Make sure that a retailer has a true competitive edge over its peers before committing to an investment.

Not every industry will go the way of the horse and buggy; the pace of change and the adaptability of the incumbents make a difference.

I am not worried about low barriers to entry for an industry, if high barriers to success favor the incumbents or bigger players.

Fluor's flourishing, thanks to the increasing need for its engineering expertise.

Companies dealing with waste are typically perceived as slow growth stocks. But acquisitions and new ventures can easily change the dynamics of a company.

The strong get stronger and that is why investors go with market leaders, especially those that stay on top.

Investors are better off diversifying on their own instead of relying on the companies they invest in to do so on their behalf.

A long-term stellar financial track record is the best validation of strong competitive advantages for a company.

Judging a stock solely by its business profile and industry is not wise. A closer examination of the company’s product mix and financial track record can reveal unexpected insights.

High operating leverage and volatile revenue streams don't exactly make for an ideal investment.

Spotting a potential market leader in its early days brings about the highest potential for growth.

It is always better to be a big fish in a small pond than be a small fish in a large pond. Niche market leaders are typically very profitable and make good investment candidates at the right price.

I like companies with unique competencies that cannot be imitated and are able to extend their competitive advantages as they grow. This stock is not one of them.

Private-label products have been gaining significant market share in many consumer products categories, but it is still the branded players that are dominating the soda market.

While most of us choose to eat what we like and not necessarily what is good for our health, certain groups of people are less fortunate.

Growth is a magnet for increased competition and consequently reduced profitability. Given a choice between a market leader in a slow-growth industry with limited competition and a run-of-the-mill company in a high-growth and intensely competitive industry, I will always go with the former.

It is easy to be attracted to companies claiming to be market leaders in their respective businesses. However, it is market share relative to competitors that matters and not absolute market share.