7/02/2012

Why Is Alcoa the ONLY Stock You Own?

Patrick recently sent me a question I’m sure others have wondered about: “The disclaimer at the end of the piece states: Jeff Reeves holds a position in Alcoa, but no other publicly traded stocks.� Is Alcoa (NYSE:AA) the only equity position in your portfolio? �That seems a tad bit odd.”

Great question.The curiosity you refer to is part of me trying to serve two masters� on one hand, I try not to hold individual stocks since I do not want to be accused of pumping up my personal portfolio. Obviously I talk about the market every day, and I want to appear like I am above the fray. I actively trade funds and ETFs, but it�s hard to pump-and-dump a fund with 30 holdings!

So why the exception for Alcoa? Well, InvestorPlace.com recently lauched a feature highlighting the Best Stocks of 2012. I thought it would be more �realistic� to actually put my money where my mouth is instead of just pulling a name out of a hat without consequences.

I hope you agree that it a bit na�ve to think one balding journalist in Rockville, Md., can single-handedly move a $10 billion Dow Component� so I figured I�d make an exception for this year-long feature alone, hoping it proved the Best Stocks feature isn�t just fun and games for page views but serious investing tips.

You can find my recent commentary onAlcoa earnings here.

Obviously, it�s kind of �damned if you do, damned if you don�t.� A lot of folks criticize me for not having any stake in the advice I offer. Others don�t want me owning anything because it makes me look like a huckster. I hope this somehow makes sense, even if it is a rather convoluted answer.

Got a question for the InvestorPlace staff? Please send an email to editor@investorplace.com.

Jeff Reeves is the editor of InvestorPlace.com. Write him at editor@investorplace.com, follow him on Twitter via @JeffReevesIP and become a fan of InvestorPlace on Facebook. Jeff Reeves holds a position in Alcoa, but no other publicly traded stocks.

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