Biggest names, who have earned their names, by being the best forecasters of the market, are humbled by the market.
In 2008, Buffett bought a large stake in the stock of Conoco Phillips as a play on future energy prices. However, this turned out to be a bad investment, because Buffett bought in at too high of a price, resulting in a multibillion-dollar loss to Berkshire.
In 1993, Buffett bought a shoe company called Dexter Shoes. Buffett's investment in Dexter Shoes turned into a disaster because he saw a durable competitive advantage in Dexter that quickly disappeared. According to Buffett, "What I had assessed as durable competitive advantage vanished within a few years." Buffett claims that this investment was the worst he has ever made, resulting in a loss to shareholders of $3.5 billion.
Since Muddy Waters fired its opening salvo in early June, Sino-Forest’s shares have plunged 87%, wiping out $4 billion in shareholder value and scaring off heavyweight investors such as John Paulson, whose hedge fund, Paulson & Co., took a $574 million loss when it bailed out of the stock last week.
Lessons Learned: Must know, when to quit. Not quitting the wrong stance, is the only factor which have always plundered the wealth of many.


















