The price must be less than one half of the former high and preferably at or near its all time low.

The company must be paying dividends. Preferably the dividend will have been increasing and have been paid for some time.

They really can’t afford to be contrarians. A major investment house can’t afford to do research for five customers who won’t generate a lot of commissions.

To put money into anything, anywhere, provided that the downside is measurable and acceptable and the chances of a good profit appear to be better than 50%. I will not take gambles, but it is part of my job description to be ready to take very carefully calculated risks.

The price must be less than one half of the former high and preferably at or near its all time low.

There is almost always a major blip for whatever reason and we have learnt to expect it and not to panic.

Just as many smart people fail in the investment business as stupid ones. Intellectually active people are particularly attracted to elegant concepts, which can have the effect of distracting them from the simpler, more fundamental truths.