Joshua Kennon

Thanks to his straight-forward approach and ability to simplify complex topics, Joshua Kennon's series of lessons on financial statement analysis have been used by managers, investors, colleges and universities throughout the world.

Joshua has been the Investing for Beginners Guide at About.com, a division of The New York Times, since February, 2001. He is also the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Investing, 3rd Edition. In addition to being a successful investor and business owner, he is a founding member of Mount Olympus Awards LLC, one of the world's largest custom letterman jacket companies. Prior to moving back to the Midwest to be near his family, he spent time in the accounting and investing department at a major east coast property and casualty insurance group.

Using simple, straight-forward investment principles, I believe the average person can learn to evaluate the performance, operations, and financial health of a business. This information can lead to better informed decisions when structuring your portfolio. My investing philosophy is strongly rooted in the value methods established by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd in their classic 1934 treatise Security Analysis as well as Peter Lynch, Phil Fisher, and Warren Buffett. I believe in purchasing excellent businesses at bargain prices; a practice that remains in my own personal portfolio as well as the stocks held by my company.