Accelerate the Investment Learning Curve By David Edwards About this article: When I began to invest in stocks years ago, the only way to do research independently from a broker was to write to the company for a copy of its annual report. Thanks to Internet-based news and data services, individuals investing in stocks today are swamped with information. "Trial and error" methods of processing this information could be expensive (think of all the stocks you shouldn't have bought, or stocks you should have sold and didn't). How can new investors learn to invest without spending tuition on lost time and money? The Learning Curve The Learning Curve (or Experience Curve) is an academic concept derived from studies of industrial processes. Specifically, economists noted that costs of production decline over time as factory workers gain experience by repetitively making the same product (for example, an airplane). Such experience cuts down on the duplication of mistakes and increases the efficiency... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200.

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