This particular series focuses on the standard economic sectors—from Energy to Consumer Staples to Industrials. We’ll cover all 10, plus some regions, and other specific market categories vital to today’s global investor.

Many folks think Materials, then commodities, then immediately gold, particularly since gold was hot for much of this century’s first decade. Wrong! Thinking too small. Gold mining is part of Materials, but relatively not as important as you may think. This book covers the entire Materials universe—Metals & Mining (gold, of course, but also steel, aluminum, and other metals), Chemicals, Construction Materials, even Paper & Forest Products. The book provides a broad overview of the global sector’s industries and sub-industries, as well as sector history. It also discusses issues unique to Materials stocks: How important are emerging markets? What about geopolitics? Should you invest directly in commodities like gold?

But it also provides a framework for understanding the sector’s and its industries’ drivers so anyone—novices, hobbyists, even new professionals—can begin forming their own forward-looking sector analysis. And it provides an investing methodology—part of the same one used at my firm for making investing decisions—that can be used no matter the economic or market conditions.

What you won’t find here are hot stock tips. You won’t get a formula or a list of instructions on what to buy when. Such things don’t exist, and books purporting magic formulae are fiction. If you can just believe that, then the price of this book is worth it. Investing success only comes when you can know something others can’t, and this book is intended to help you do that. And though this book focuses on Materials, the concepts and methodology presented are applicable to other sectors and the broader market, to help you toward greater investing success your entire investing career. Enjoy the book, and enjoy the journey.