When I asked longtime friend and Coal Trader Publisher Matt Warder to join the Stock Picker’s Corner (SPC) Forecast 2025 investing series, I knew I’d get some great analysis of the macroeconomy and the commodities sector.
And I knew I’d get some terrific stock picks.
But I was also treated to some homespun investing wisdom from an eclectic guy who grew up and went to school in West Virginia coal country, ditched medical school to become a real-life rocker and had yet another detour that saw him end up as a Wall Street analyst, specializing in metallurgical (met) coal.
Today, Matt is widely regarded as the best independent met coal analyst on the planet.
After you watch this installment of SPC Forecast 2025, I think you’ll agree.
Matt delivers one of the best commodity stock “investment cases” I’ve heard in years.
He gives us a “macro” view of what to expect after the calendar flips from 2024 to 2025: His predictions include uncertainty, elevated risk and sticky inflation — probably 3% or more.
And he tops it off with pure-gold ingots of advice. Indeed, Matt says 2025 investors should:
✅Think Small: Take small swings at big targets instead of big swings at small targets.
✅Be Assertive: If something’s not working, pull the plug.
✅Find “Hideout” Companies: Find low-cost operators who can maximize their margins.
Naturally, Matt was talking mostly in terms of commodities. But these bits of wisdom apply just as well to stocks, income plays and investing in general.
And he capped that off with two — count ‘em, TWO — great stock picks for 2025 (starting at the 29 minute mark).
Both are commodities plays …
Both give you the chance to take small swings at big targets … in this case, the “big target” being the massive “supply shortfall” that’s headed our way in several commodities.
Both are cash-flow geysers — and “coiled-spring stocks” — positioned to use that money to (first) slash debt and (second) buy back shares or pay hefty dividends … meaning we’ll watch (and profit) as those coiled springs are unsprung over time.
It’s a great interview. And it’s a “proof point” of something I often say — that we’re the sum of our personal experiences.
Like with Matt.
After that journey that started in West Virginia and wound its way to that coal-analyst role on Wall Street, Matt came to a financial publisher in Baltimore where he and I met, became collaborators and (even better) became friends.
I watched Matt branch out beyond coal … build a network that included heavy hitters in gold, energy, metals and tech … and discover a personal “voice” that allowed him to tell complex stories in simple-and-engaging ways — a superpower that I’ll circle back to in a minute.
Matt’s discovery of that storytelling “voice,” too, helps prove my “sum-of-our-experiences” thesis: That financial publisher housed some of the best investing storytellers; and it was probably in his DNA to start with — since Matt’s Dad, Francis L. Warder Jr., a West Virginia lawyer who did a lot of energy work (mostly oil and gas), was a very personable guy.
Why am I finishing with this bit of insight about Matt?
Simple.
Wealth Builders who tune into this installment of Forecast 2025 will reap the benefits of Matt’s life journey.
The royalty play he tells us about is a stock you could buy now — accumulate more of on uncertainty-triggered pullbacks — and look to hold for years … as that wealth truly “builds.”
And he makes the investment case (tells the story) so well that you can actually “see” the profit opportunity as he talks.
And if you’re an SPC Premium member, you’ll benefit twice … since he also shares the “Black Diamond” stock that’s the coal play of choice for Wall Street’s big-money investment banks.
That, folks, is downright cool.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Matt’s Dad — though we’ve talked about him many times.
But since I believe so strongly in that “product of our environment” thesis, I believe that Francis L. Warder Jr., esq., had some fine qualities.
And somewhere in the Great Beyond … in the Courthouse of the Ether … the Hon. Francis Warder Jr. is looking down on his son.
With justifiable pride.
After all, Matt is reaching out to Wealth Builders like you and me … helping us find “The Way.”
Keep following our forecast series: I talked with Danny Brody of The Net Worth Club on Friday, with Take Two Interactive Software Inc. (TTWO), Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) and cruise lines being some of his favorite ideas for 2025.
And watch for interviews from silver expert Peter Krauth, former Bitcoin (BTC) miner David Zeiler, “Old Economy” analyst Mihail Stoyanov … and more.
As we wrap up for the holidays, we wish everyone safe travels and warm greetings.
See you after Christmas;
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