Richard Love’s 1977 classic, "Superperformance Stocks: An Investment Strategy for the Individual Investor Based on the 4-Year Political Cycle," is a foundational text for growth investors. While the original physical book can be rare, its core principles regarding stock selection and market timing remain highly influential among top traders like Mark Minervini. What is a Superperformance Stock?
Love provides a precise technical definition for these "superperformers":
Price Appreciation: The stock must at least triple in price (300% gain) within a two-year period.
Relative Performance: It must increase at a minimum rate of three times the general market during that same period.
End of Move: A superperformance move is considered over if the price fails to reach a new high within six months or suffers a price reaction of 25% or more. The Core Strategy: 4-Year Political Cycles
Love’s unique angle was the relationship between the U.S. Presidential Cycle and stock market performance.
Market Strength: Historical data suggests stocks are often strongest in the year preceding an election and weakest immediately following it.
Macro Conditions: The best "superperformance" opportunities arise when fiscal and monetary policies are stimulative, such as during periods of lowering interest rates.
Safety in Timing: Love argues that safety comes from buying at the right time (typically after a severe market correction) rather than just buying "strong" companies. Common Denominators of Winning Stocks super performance stocks richard love pdf
According to Love, stocks poised for explosive growth share specific fundamental and technical traits:
Earnings Acceleration: This is the most critical factor. Look for sudden, large increases in earnings, especially those that surprise the market.
Catalysts for Change: New management, innovative products, or significant mergers and acquisitions often trigger massive price moves.
Small Market Cap/Float: Smaller companies with a limited number of shares available (small float) can move much faster when demand spikes.
Price Volatility: High-performing stocks often show significant volatility before and during their primary moves. Where to Find the Book or PDF
As a 1977 publication, finding a physical copy or a digital PDF of Superperformance Stocks can be done through several channels:
Digital Archives: The Internet Archive hosts a digital copy for those with library access.
PDF Previews: Platforms like Scribd and Slideshare offer previews of the table of contents and key strategy guides. Richard Love’s 1977 classic, " Superperformance Stocks: An
Modern Reprints: New softcover editions are available on Amazon and AbeBooks, though some reviews note they may be lower-quality reproductions of the original 1977 text.
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Superperformance Stocks: An Investment Strategy for the Individual Investor Based on the 4-Year Political Cycle
by Richard S. Love is available for digital viewing or download through several online repositories: Internet Archive read and borrow the full text of the 1977 edition for free. PDF version of the document is available for subscribers or via their trial program. Slideshare : A digital copy titled SuperStock.pdf can be viewed online. Core Investment Strategy
Love's strategy focuses on identifying stocks capable of "superperformance," which he defines as a stock that triples in price within a two-year period. Amazon.com The 4-Year Political Cycle
: He argues that stock market performance is heavily influenced by the U.S. presidential cycle, with markets typically stronger leading up to elections and weaker afterward. Key Stock Characteristics Small Float/Cap
: Most superperformers are relatively small companies with fewer than 10 million shares. Earnings Explosions The Backtesting Trap: Love’s original data excluded the
: A sudden, large increase in profitability is the most important catalyst. Innovation
: Look for unique new products or management changes that suggest high future earning power. Timing the Buy
: The best opportunities arise when the market looks like a "disaster," such as during bear market bottoms. Ivanhoff Capital specific case studies from the book or see how modern traders like Mark Minervini have adapted these rules?
AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more 20 Insights from the Book 'Superperformance Stocks'
No strategy is perfect. While looking for the "Super Performance Stocks Richard Love PDF," investors must be aware of the blind spots:
Use the PDF as a starting screen, not a final buy order.
Because the book is protected by copyright and out of print, unauthorized PDFs circulating on forums or file-sharing sites are illegal copies. However, legitimate avenues include:
Love despised debt. In his PDF scans, he screens for a Debt-to-Equity ratio below 0.5. In a rising interest rate environment, low debt becomes the difference between survival and bankruptcy.
The Richard Love model is a hybrid. It borrows from the defensive nature of Benjamin Graham but incorporates the growth mechanics of Philip Fisher. According to the PDF, a "super performance stock" is defined by three pillars:
One of the most distinct parts of the book is Love’s use of geometry and math to explain stock movements. He views stock price progression not as linear, but as geometric.