It's always fascinating to read stories about average, everyday people who built fortunes by regularly investing small amounts over long periods of time in companies such as such as Citigroup
If you worked for these companies, and/or regularly "trickled" money into them over the years, this is quite feasible -- Citigroup, GE, and Wal-Mart have returned 13.1%, 13%, and 15.6% annually over the past two decades, respectively.
But you can also get market-beating returns by buying into great companies at more opportune times -- whenever the stock goes on sale. Rather than regularly investing small, fixed amounts, investors can use the simple method of buying a stock in portions to manage risk and boost returns.
First, find a solid business
Of course, every situation is different, but big returns on investments always come on the backs of fundamentally strong businesses. And if you're confident that you've purchased shares in a great company, why wouldn't you consider buying again, particularly if the stock price is significantly below intrinsic value? Especially in pessimistic markets (like today's), fundamentally strong businesses can be bought for good prices.
For large, stable companies, buying more shares when the outlook for them is bleak can be rewarding. For instance, buying more Altria
For younger, riskier companies, a strategy of acquiring shares in portions is a smart play. It limits your initial outlay and gives you a chance to buy again if shares experience an unwarranted drop.
For example, look at Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Mobile Mini
When demand for portable units dropped with the slowing economy, margins began to shrink, and investors poured out of Mobile Mini stock. But the fundamental business operations remained intact. Money invested when the outlook was bleakest is now up more than 280% -- even with the return of another poor economic outlook and a share price well off its high two years ago. The larger economic conditions had only a temporary impact on Mobile Mini's solid business model before, and recent turmoil once again gives investors a cheaper price to consider.
Buy again
Other companies, such as NVIDIA
The final caveat with this method is to ensure that you aren't throwing good money at a truly deteriorating company -- hence the importance of understanding the underlying business. In their Motley Fool Stock Advisor service, David and Tom Gardner track all of their investments and re-recommend promising companies when the price is right.
If you'd like to see which stocks they recommend you buy again -- and again and again -- you can click here and get a 30-day trial of the service for free.
This article was originally published Feb. 12, 2007. It has been updated.
Fool contributor Dave Mock buys pogs again and again -- more for sentimental than intrinsic value. He owns shares of Nvidia and Mobile Mini, which are also Stock Advisor recommendations. Wal-Mart is an Inside Value selection. The Motley Fool's disclosure policy keeps a shopping list handy.