The Retirement Learning Lab
Tired of feeling overwhelmed and confused about retirement planning?You're not alone. After 30+ years of helping people navigate retirement, I've seen how the flood of conflicting financial advice paralyzes even the smartest people.Hi, I'm Van Richards, and I created The Retirement Learning Lab to cut through the noise and give you the clarity you deserve.Here's what makes this different: Instead of throwing more complicated strategies at you, I teach you a simple, systematic approach that actually works. My clients go from lying awake at night worrying about money to sleeping peacefully, knowing they're in complete control of their...
Small Business Owners: Navigating Social Security and Succession Planning
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If you're a small business owner, your retirement planning is nothing like your employees'. Your business isn't just your job - it's your biggest asset and your retirement plan all rolled into one. This creates a perfect storm of challenges that most owners never see coming.
In this episode, Van Richards breaks down the critical intersection between Social Security strategy and business succession planning. You'll discover why these two elements must be coordinated from the start, and how failing to plan them together can cost you thousands in retirement benefits.
<...Working and Earning While Collecting Social Security: 4 Shocking Facts About 2025 Rules
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Are you working while collecting Social Security? You might be making costly mistakes without even knowing it.
In this essential episode of the Retirement Learning Lab, Van Richards breaks down the four most shocking facts about Social Security earnings limits that could save you thousands of dollars.
What you'll discover:
🔍 The biggest misconception: Withheld benefits aren't lost forever - they're actually credited back to you at full retirement age as a permanent benefit increase
đź’‘ Marriage surprise: Your spouse...
Should Private Equity Be in Your 401(k)? The Wall Street Pitch That Could Destroy Your Retirement
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Wall Street's latest pitch sounds appealing: add private equity to your 401(k) for higher returns. But is this innovation or manipulation?
In this episode, Van Richards breaks down the aggressive push by major investment firms to add private equity to target-date funds, promising 0.5-2% higher returns. But when you run the actual numbers, a very different picture emerges.
🎯 What You'll Discover:
The Reality Check Framework:
Real Costs - Why "2 and 20" fees could crush your retirement savingsExpected Ret...NVIDIA Analysis: $4 Trillion Market Cap & China Reversal
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What company made more profits in one quarter than McDonald's, Nike, and Netflix combined in an entire year? NVIDIA. And that's just the beginning of this incredible story.
In this comprehensive episode, I break down NVIDIA's historic $4 trillion market cap milestone and the shocking China policy reversal that added $30 billion to their revenue projections overnight.
What You'll Learn:
How NVIDIA's Q1 2024 profits ($143.88 billion) dwarf major corporationsThe China H20 chip ban reversal and its massive implicationsMy SEC framework analysis: Stability, Earnings, CompetitivenessWhy NVIDIA's CUDA platform creates "digital...Tariffs & Retirement: What You Need to Know Before August 1st Deadline
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🚨 URGENT UPDATE: The tariff deadline has been extended by just 3 weeks, but the situation has gotten MORE unpredictable, not less.
In this critical episode, I break down exactly what the tariff extension means for your retirement portfolio and why this matters more than other market "scares."
What You'll Learn:
Why Trump's 3-week extension actually makes things more uncertainThe shocking reality: Only 4 trade deals completed out of 200 promisedHow the EU relationship was damaged in just 72 hours (Friday: "very close to agreement" → Monday: 30% tariffs)Why Canada getti...Tesla Stock Analysis: 3 Major Problems Crushing TSLA + Fair Value $250 vs Current ~$294
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Tesla shares are under serious pressure, and in this episode, I break down exactly why. As a chartered financial consultant, I've analyzed Tesla's fundamentals and identified three critical problems that every investor needs to understand.
What We Cover:
Why the EV tax credit elimination is bigger than most realizeTesla's declining delivery numbers and market saturation signalsLeadership distraction concerns and their impact on executionComplete SEC analysis: Stability, Earnings, and CompetitivenessRobotaxi reality check - separating timeline hype from factsBulls vs Bears perspectives on Tesla's futureClear recommendations for current holders and...Defining Your Retirement Vision, Part 1: Stop Planning Without Knowing What You're Planning FOR!
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"Van, I've been planning for retirement for 25 years, but I have no idea what I'm actually planning FOR!"
This client's confession sparked today's episode of The Retirement Learning Lab. Host Van Richards, ChFC®, RICP®, reveals why most people approach retirement planning completely backwards - and how to fix it.
In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover:
Why most people spend more time planning their annual vacation than their next 30 years of lifeThe shocking difference between retirement "wishes" and a real retirement "vision"The 2 critical components every retirement vision must in...Tax-Sensitive Accounts and Considerations - Getting Your Financial House in Order (Part 4)
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Discover why your retirement account balance isn't what you think it is and how to optimize your tax strategy for retirement success. In this comprehensive episode, Van Richards reveals the "silent wealth destroyer" that most people completely ignore until it's too late - taxes in retirement.
Featured Story: Meet Robert, a successful engineer who saved $800,000 over 30 years, only to discover his spending power was actually $624,000 after taxes. Plus, his Social Security would be taxed up to 85% because of his 401k withdrawals. His reaction: "I feel like I've been saving...
Understanding Your Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth - Getting Your Financial House in Order (Part 3)
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Can you be a millionaire and still not have enough for retirement? In this eye-opening episode, Van Richards reveals why your net worth might be misleading you about your retirement readiness.
The Millionaire Paradox Meet Mike and Janet - a couple with $1.25 million in net worth who discovered they could only afford 60% of their desired retirement lifestyle. Then hear about David and Linda, who had LESS money but were completely prepared for retirement. What made the difference? Understanding what your financial position actually means for your future.
<...
Social Security Tax Trap: How 85% of Your Benefits Could Be Taxable (And How to Save $4,000+)
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Are you walking into a Social Security tax trap without even knowing it? In this eye-opening episode of The Retirement Learning Lab, I reveal why over 50% of Social Security recipients now pay taxes on their benefits - and more importantly, how you can avoid becoming one of them.
What You'll Discover:
The shocking history: Why Social Security taxation has exploded from 10% to 50%+ of recipientsThe "combined income" formula that catches most retirees off-guardReal case study: How I saved Margaret $3,400 per year in unexpected taxesBreaking news: A proposed $4,000 tax deduction...Creating Your Financial Inventory: The Difference Between Guessing and Knowing Your True Worth
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Welcome back to the Retirement Learning Lab! In this episode, Van Richards continues the "Getting Your Financial House in Order" series by showing you how to transform your organized documents into a crystal-clear picture of your true financial position.
What You'll Learn:
The critical difference between having organized documents and actually knowing what you're worthWhy even intelligent professionals struggle with financial planning (featuring real client stories)The three essential components of a complete financial inventoryHow to avoid the costly mistakes that could derail your retirementReal...
Getting Your Financial House in Order: The Foundation Every Successful Retiree Builds
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After 30+ years helping people plan for retirement, I've never met one person who regretted getting organized. Yet most people want to jump straight to the exciting stuff—investment strategies, dream vacations, Bitcoin. Here's the truth: without organized financial information, everything else becomes guesswork rather than strategy.
In this episode, I share two real stories that perfectly illustrate why organization matters:
đź”´ The Surgeon's Story: Making $50,000/month but called by his banker about overdraft fees. Despite his high income, he'd completely lost control of his spending. Brilliant in the opera...
The Ultimate Retirement Planning Framework: From Scattered to Systematic
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Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting retirement advice? You're not alone.
In this episode of The Retirement Learning Lab, host Van Richards reveals the systematic framework that transforms retirement planning from overwhelming chaos into clear, confident action. After 30+ years of helping people navigate retirement, Van shares why most people fail at retirement planning—and exactly how to avoid their mistakes.
What You'll Discover:
Why collecting random retirement tips is like building a house without a blueprint (and what to do instead)The three-component system that successful re...From Insecure to In Control: Your Retirement Transformation
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In this enlightening episode of The Retirement Learning Lab, host Van Richards tackles one of retirement's most universal challenges: transforming uncertainty into confidence. Drawing from over 30 years of experience helping people prepare for retirement, Van addresses those middle-of-the-night worries that plague so many pre-retirees.
Have you ever lain awake wondering if your retirement savings will be enough? Do you feel that knot in your stomach when faced with conflicting financial advice? You're not alone. As Van reminds us, "No one should have to live with the fear of retirement insecurity."
<...From Retirement Terrified to Financially Confident
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Are you avoiding planning for retirement because it feels overwhelming? You're not alone. In this episode of The Retirement Learning Lab, host Van Richards tackles retirement anxiety head-on with practical, actionable strategies to transform your financial future.
Recent surveys show a troubling 79% of Americans believe we face a retirement crisis, with the median retirement account balance for households ages 55-64 at just $185,000. But Van explains why it's never too late to start building confidence about your financial future, whether you're 33 (the average age of first-time investors) or already nearing retirement.
<...Tariffs Impact on Retirement
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In this illuminating episode of The Retirement Learing Lab, Chartered Financial Consultant Van Richards tackles one of today's most pressing economic concerns: how tariffs are reshaping retirement planning landscapes.
As global trade policies continue to evolve, many Americans are left wondering how these macroeconomic shifts might affect their hard-earned retirement savings. Van breaks down these complex financial concepts into digestible insights that listeners at any stage of their retirement journey can understand and apply.
This episode explores:
• The fundamental ways tariffs influence investment markets and retirement portfolios • Sect...
Does Asset allocation still work in 2022
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With all that is happening in the world, you may be asking yourself, does asset allocation still work? Is how you divided your investments doing what it should?
In today’s video, you’ll find the answer. Plus, there is a great free tool to show you some examples of asset allocation that is intended to help you control the risk of investing. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the asset allocation models, go to www.assetallocationmodels.com.
Here are the highlights of today’s video.
Do You Unknowingly Own Russian Stocks? What now?
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If you own a retirement account like a 401k, you probably split your savings up among a few different types of investments.
A lot of people use investment models provided by their employers.
And a lot of you don't really know which stocks or bonds your investments have. And really that is OK. The idea of investing in a mutual fund, a variable annuity, or an ETF is, so you don't have to be an expert.
But many people are surprised to learn that any of their...
Starbucks (SBUX) Stock Analysis - Here is Starbucks' competitive edge.
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Starbucks' stock value has been hit hard by the pandemic. But they do have a competitive edge.
Growing your financial knowledge is what can put you in control of your financial future.
The centerpiece of today's analysis is the six characteristics that set Starbucks apart from its competition.
#1Â streamlined business operations.
#2Â menu innovations
#3Â digital engagement
#4Â selective store closures
#5 opening stores in US and China underserved areas and
#6 their loyalty program
To hear a more in-depth anal...
Verizon Stock Analysis, Buy, Sell or Hold
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For only the second time in 137 years, AT&T cut its dividend. That had to be like a gut punch for a lot of AT&T shareholders who were relying upon those dividends.
So, is there still profit available in the wireless industry?
Every month that I pay my AT&T Uverse bill, I think, how could this company not make money? But maybe I just answered my own question.Â
AT&T has spread itself thin for about the past decade or more. They're trying to be f...
Enterprise Products Stock Analysis + Dividends, Taxes and Retirement
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EPD has one of the highest dividend rates of any large publicly traded company. This week I'll discuss the stock's potential role in retirement savings.
This week I discuss the stock's potential role in retirement savings. EPD is a prime example of a company that appears to be managed to pay its shareholders dividends as opposed to increase share value.
With Enterprise Products' recent plan to acquire Navitas Midstream, near-term returns should be bolstered.Â
EPD’s formula for success has been Quality Assets + Superior Location + Long Term Con...
Genuine Parts Company, 270 million used cars 'drive' this stock.
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In today's podcast, I dive deep into three fundamental analysis characteristics of Genuine Parts Company. GPC is a value stock that pays dividends. It makes it a good candidate for some retirement accounts. But I don't look at everything through rose-colored glasses. Increasing costs and expenses are weighing on GPC. But I discuss how one billionaire investor thinks Genuine Parts Company is going to cope with increasing cost and inflation.
The Successful Investor Show Trailer
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Daily Stock Analysis– Mortgage-backed REITs, high dividends, and potential perils
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REITs or real estate investment trusts have been around since 1960. REITs allow investors to invest in real estate without direct ownership. This investment vehicle can be simple or incredibly complicated. Many people are attracted to the high current dividends. There can also be an illusion of safety because the mortgages used in some REITs are back by the US Government. In today's show, I discuss the opportunities REITs offer. Plus, I discuss the downside too. Investors can learn a lot from the market crash in mortgage-backed REITs that began with the Coronavirus market...
Daily Stock Analysis– Spotify – how can it grow after posting losses? Incredibly Spotify does.
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Spotify has beat back the Goliaths of the music and podcast world. When you think of streaming music and podcast, investors may think that Amazon, Apple, and Google dominate everything. That is wrong! Spotify is not as diversified as Amazon, Apple, or Google, but it is growing in the land of giants. The company is focusing only on customer streaming. That emphasis has allowed Spotify to have consistent growth of users, attract more artists, increase subscriptions and increase ad revenue. But here's a puzzler. The stock keeps going up, and the company posts...
Daily Stock Analysis– ExOne, can sand & metal 3D printers shorten the industrial supply chain?
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ExOne is not your average 3D printer manufacture. ExOne develops and manufactures 3D printers for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of industrial parts and components. The market for industrial 3D printing is vast. The challenge is getting industry on board. The question investors should be asking is this. Can 3D printing be cost-efficient enough and fast enough to replace traditional supply channels? Additionally, an attractive twist for investors to 3D industrial printing is the military applications for the battlefield. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
 L...
Daily Stock Analysis – GE has strong cash flow, but will the winter storms affect renewables?
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GE was once one of the largest companies in the world. They have lost about two-thirds of their value since 2015. But their turnaround is looking good. They have a strong cash flow. They are also one of the largest manufactures of wind turbines used in the State of Texas. How will the recent winter storms affect their future? That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
Listen, learn, & subscribe If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://youtube.com/c/richardsfinancialplanning #alternativeenergy #e...
Daily Stock Analysis – Zoetis, the world's largest animal health company. Is it recession-proof?
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Zoetis is the world's largest animal health company. Zoetis may very well be a recession-proof company. Despite the pandemic, Zoetis has prospered. The majority of the company's revenues come from the companion animal market. The stay-at-home phenomena have increased pet ownership and made pet owners more aware of their pet's physical situation. Couple that with Zoetis' animal drug development, the addition of point-of-care services and you have a company making the most of a bad situation. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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Daily Stock Analysis – BNY Mellon – Even financial giants grapple with COVID 19 impact.
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Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is like a giant, spinning plates while skating on ice. While that may seem impossible, BNY Mellon is handling the pressure with grace. Service fees generate about 80% of BNY Mellon's revenue. Most of their seven lines of business continue to produce but at a level rate. Hopefully, 2021 may change the economic trends of 2020. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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Listen, learn, and subscribe. If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://youtube.co...
Daily Stock Analysis – Energy Transfer – should you choose a stock because of its dividend?
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Energy Transfer has one of the furthest reaching networks of oil and gas in the US. But projects like the Dakota Access Pipeline illustrates the difficulty that may lie ahead. How will earnings be affected for Energy Transfer if the DAPL halts transporting oil? Energy Transfer's dividends are incredibly high, and the stock price is relatively low. Then again, how low can it go? That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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Listen, learn, & subscribe. If you'd like to view this episode or previous e...
Daily Stock Analysis – Macerich Company -will it be the next "Short Squeeze" or not?
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Macerich is one of the most highly shorted stocks in the market now. What's that mean??? Could it be the next GameStop or AMC? Maybe or maybe not. The interesting thing about Macerich is its valuation. Today, I talk more about short selling and its effect on companies like Macerich. Â That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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Listen, learn, and subscribe. If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit http://www.youtube.com/c.richardsfinancialplanningÂ
 #investing #markets #commerce
Add...
Daily Stock Analysis – Munich RE – Climate change profit and coping with the pandemic.
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Munich RE is one of the most stable reinsurance companies in the world. But they are not isolated from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Losses are mounting. However, insuring climate change related events and circumstances have bolstered Munich RE's profits. Don't let the complexity deter you from learning about this 140-year-old dividend-paying company. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
 Listen, learn, & subscribe. If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://youtube.com/c/richardsfinancialplanning #investing #markets #commerce
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Daily Stock Analysis – Snam owns most of the gas infrastructure in Italy. How are the dividends?
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Most investors looking for dividend-paying stocks don't look to Europe. That could be a mistake. As Europe works to gain independence from Russian gas supplies, Italian gas supplier Snam fills the gap. And it pays dividends. But how secure are they? That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://youtube.com/c/richardsfinancialplanning
#oilgas #alternativeenergy #investing
Additionally, if you are in Texas and you're frustrated with your personal financial gr...
Daily Stock Analysis – Opendoor strives to disrupt the home buying market. Can they?
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Opendoor is an iBuyer for the home real estate market. They portray a simple certain, fast and safe way to buy and sell a home, all online. Opendoor has been around since 2014. But they came to life as a public company through a SPAC. How do they compete, and how do they compare. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit http://www.youtube.com/c.richardsfinancialplanningÂ
#investing #realestate #onlineshopping
 Additionally, if yo...
Daily Stock Analysis – Steris keeps medical procedures infection free! Is it profitable???
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Steris is an Irish (former US) company specializing in helping medical facilities keep procedures infection-free. The pandemic has slowed growth from surgeries, but what about the push to keep medical facilities COVID free? Will the surgery business recover soon, and how are they affected by the recent acquisition of competitor Cantel? That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://www.youtube.com/c/richardsfinancialplanning.com
 #investing #healthcare #medicine
 Additionally, if you are...
Daily Stock Analysis – Home Depot – Stimulus may boost growth even more!
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Home Depot's growth over the past year has been good. The stay-at-home phenomenon has ignited a home improvement boom. How will more government stimulus to consumers affect their future growth? Plus, are they drowning out their competition? Maybe not. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
 Listen, learn, subscribe to join in the conversation. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. #workingathome #money #economy
Additionally, if you are in Texas and you're frustrated with your personal financial growth, I have a n...
Daily Stock Analysis – Pfizer is the top COVID-19 vaccine maker. How are earnings affected?
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Daily Stock Analysis – Pfizer is the top COVID-19 vaccine maker. How are earnings affected?Â
Many people only know Pfizer as a COVID-19 vaccine maker. Their vaccine could turn the tide against the spread of the coronavirus. But how much will that affect their earnings? With six business units, vaccines are only one. Plus, it is not the most profitable. Are they undervalued, and what does their future look like? That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
 If you'd like to view this episode or prev...
Daily Stock Analysis – Salesforce.com has had an amazing year. Can it continue?
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The past year has affected many businesses in different ways. Salesforce.com has been in a unique position. When business revenues are being squeezed, they offer ways to get more. As a result, Salesforce.com revenues have skyrocketed. But can it continue at this pace? Today we talk about their business and profits. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit https://youtu.be/7_C6ly4PGWA
#marketing #investing #technology
Additionally, if...
Daily Stock Analysis – John Wiley & Sons– Online learning surges profits
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John Wiley & Sons is one of the foremost global academic publishers. The coronavirus pandemic has been a notorious revealer of trends and weaknesses in the economy. The pandemic has accelerated the trend to online learning and John Wiley & Sons have benefited. But is that trend here to stay. Today we talk about their business and profits. That is what I am talking about today on the Daily Stock Analysis.
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If you'd like to view this episode or previous episodes, visit The Daily Stock Analysis on YouTube at https://youtu.be...
Daily Stock Analysis – Compass Minerals International – the profits in salt mining & sales.
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Compass Minerals International specializes in one thing, salt. But salt is used in so many ways. Salt has been used by humankind for thousands of years. Today's usage is vastly different than in centuries past. Early Egyptians first traded salt in the form of salted fish. Food still benefits from salt. But it's also used to clear icy roads and improve the growth of various plants. Compass Minerals supplies salt for a myriad of uses. The company is considered a small-cap company, but they are a heavyweight in the world of salt. Today...
