We’ve been writing a lot about income, and recently I updated some analysis on the importance of investing in growth stocks rather than yield stocks because, over the long run, the pursuit of growth actually produces a better yield. Let me put forward some more reasons why you’re usually better off avoiding the siren call of high-dividend paying stocks.

Cash flow is the money flowing in and out of a business. It’s what a business needs to fund day-to-day operations and investments, and protect it from financial challenges. And, as we’ve seen with all those ‘profitless prosperity’ companies, it can be the difference between success and failure.

Most of us tend to be better at buying and holding stocks than we are at selling.   After all, buying is the fun part – it’s when optimism is kicking in.   But knowing how to sell is just as important when it comes to your returns.

With the demise of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the effect on Credit Suisse – its share price has declined 90 per cent in five years to CHF1. 70 – I thought it appropriate to return to basics and dig a bit deeper into what constitutes a “Quality” business, also known as a “Compounding Machine”.