Ever since the introduction of the radio, people have been listening to music or greater variety and deciding one music type is better than the next. Often times the themes are the same but the methods are a little different. In the rock music category – the two biggest acts in the 1960’s to 1990 were the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Although both came from the UK, the music represented something different to many and for years people asked do you like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones better? Both bands given the length of time people have listened to the music; people have bought the music and have been influenced by the music are in the status of great bands. For a while, the Beatles had the cleaner cut image and the Stones were rougher at the edges. Some of that is true as written by John McMillian’s book Beatles vs Stones, Simon & Schuster, NY, 2013. In the early days, the reality was the reverse, but the public image was what people saw and would comment on.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, very often in the stock market there is a choice between two companies which are seemingly the same and different – the easiest example is the Apple and Microsoft. Because we all have opinions, we all have biases; it was easier to own one or the other. Now days, the situation is reverse. There are biases in your selection, because you are a person. We tend to favour local or regional companies based on where you live. As long as you are reasonably diversified and the companies are performing at your expectations which includes making a profit, the age old question of which one is better can and should continue. Hopefully during the holiday you will be asked at the table which is better and in the spirit of the holidays find good reasons to accept the arguments. Have a great holiday.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.