Stock Dilution and the Main Types of Investments Explained Simply
Episode
54 min
Read time
2 min
Topics
Productivity, Health & Wellness, Investing
AI-Generated Summary
Key Takeaways
- ✓Diluted Shares Outstanding: Always track diluted shares outstanding — not basic — because diluted figures account for unexercised stock options already granted to employees. Find this metric at the bottom of the income statement or use a tool like Fiscal.ai, which displays a ten-year trend and annual CAGR in one click, saving significant manual spreadsheet work.
- ✓Stock-Based Compensation Red Flag: A company can report rising earnings per share and announce billions in buybacks while its actual share count still increases — because stock-based compensation quietly offsets every repurchased share. Snowflake is cited as a real example. Always verify the share count trend independently rather than trusting headline buyback announcements or reported EPS figures alone.
- ✓When Buybacks Destroy Value: Share buybacks become harmful in three specific scenarios: when funded by borrowed debt, when executed at extremely high price-to-earnings ratios (around 100x) where billions buy negligible ownership increases, or when used to satisfy Wall Street optics rather than genuine long-term capital allocation. Evaluate management intent before crediting any buyback program.
- ✓Gold vs. Stocks Distinction: Gold functions as a store of value but generates zero cash flow, profits, or compounding returns — it remains the same asset regardless of price movement. Stocks represent ownership in businesses that actively create profits. For investors with a 20-plus year time horizon, the compounding nature of business ownership structurally outperforms a non-productive store of value over time.
- ✓REIT Due Diligence — Occupancy Thresholds: REITs require deeper analysis than standard equities because property-level economics matter significantly. Commercial office REITs typically need occupancy above 80% to cover maintenance and operating costs — below that threshold, losses accelerate rapidly. Additionally, many REITs continuously issue new shares to fund acquisitions, so monitoring dilution alongside dividend yield is necessary before investing.
What It Covers
Andrew Sather and Stephen Morris explain share dilution mechanics — when it helps versus hurts shareholders — then survey major investment types including stocks, gold, Bitcoin, mutual funds, bonds, and REITs, helping beginners understand what each asset class actually does and how to evaluate it.
Key Questions Answered
- •Diluted Shares Outstanding: Always track diluted shares outstanding — not basic — because diluted figures account for unexercised stock options already granted to employees. Find this metric at the bottom of the income statement or use a tool like Fiscal.ai, which displays a ten-year trend and annual CAGR in one click, saving significant manual spreadsheet work.
- •Stock-Based Compensation Red Flag: A company can report rising earnings per share and announce billions in buybacks while its actual share count still increases — because stock-based compensation quietly offsets every repurchased share. Snowflake is cited as a real example. Always verify the share count trend independently rather than trusting headline buyback announcements or reported EPS figures alone.
- •When Buybacks Destroy Value: Share buybacks become harmful in three specific scenarios: when funded by borrowed debt, when executed at extremely high price-to-earnings ratios (around 100x) where billions buy negligible ownership increases, or when used to satisfy Wall Street optics rather than genuine long-term capital allocation. Evaluate management intent before crediting any buyback program.
- •Gold vs. Stocks Distinction: Gold functions as a store of value but generates zero cash flow, profits, or compounding returns — it remains the same asset regardless of price movement. Stocks represent ownership in businesses that actively create profits. For investors with a 20-plus year time horizon, the compounding nature of business ownership structurally outperforms a non-productive store of value over time.
- •REIT Due Diligence — Occupancy Thresholds: REITs require deeper analysis than standard equities because property-level economics matter significantly. Commercial office REITs typically need occupancy above 80% to cover maintenance and operating costs — below that threshold, losses accelerate rapidly. Additionally, many REITs continuously issue new shares to fund acquisitions, so monitoring dilution alongside dividend yield is necessary before investing.
Notable Moment
Andrew reveals that a software company can simultaneously buy back two billion dollars of stock and still see its total share count rise — because stock-based compensation issues new shares faster than buybacks retire them, making reported profits effectively evaporate into thin air for existing shareholders.
Episode Transcript
Last week, we talked about a lot of stuff. We talked about why a stock is even a stock on the stock market. We talked about IPOs. We talked about the financial statements. Well, this week, we are going to talk about something that I don't even understand a whole lot, so I'm super excited to get Andrew's take. This week, we're going to be talking about share dilution. We all know how much of a pain it is to buy stuff online. Just recently, I had some trouble where they wanted an email address. They wanted a 6 digit PIN. What's a six digit PIN? They wanted my cell phone number. You have to have a username. You have to have a password. All these things that they want. But sometimes you're buying something online and it's different. That's when you see it. That purple pay button that has all of your information saved, making checking out just like it should be, simple and easy. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all ecommerce in The US. From household names like Mattel and Heinz, SKIMS and Allbirds, to brands just getting started, with Shopify, you can accelerate your efficiency whether you're uploading new products or trying to improve existing ones. It's packed with helpful AI tools that write product descriptions, page headlines, and even enhance your product photography. Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more. No need to save multiple websites or try to figure out what platform is hosting the tool that you need. Everything is in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. See less carts go abandoned and more sales go with Shopify and their shop pay button. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com/beginners. Go to shopify.com/beginners. That's shopify.com/beginners. This show is sponsored by Liquid I. V. Now that the weather is finally heating up, one of my favorite ways to step away from spreadsheets and the SEC filings is getting outside for an early morning run. But once the summer heat truly kicks in and I start breaking a serious sweat, I know I need to hydrate and actually replenish, and it gets a lot more important. No matter what activities get you moving, you need to stay hydrated as well. Liquid I. V. Delivers longer lasting hydration than water alone. And right now, you get 20% off your first order with code investing at checkout. I always keep a packet of their hydration multiplier sugar free in my gym bag. Their white peach is absolutely delicious. It's incredibly refreshing, and it's made with zero artificial sweeteners. I'll say it again, zero artificial sweeteners. Just one stick and 16 ounces of water hydrates faster than water alone. It's powered by LIV Hydro Science, an optimized ratio of electrolytes essential vitamins and clinically tested nutrients that turn ordinary water into …
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“use a tool like Fiscal.ai, which displays a ten-year trend and annual CAGR in one click, saving significant manual spreadsheet work.”
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