Finance - Derek Foster's rule

1. Invest only in companies you understand.
2. Invest only in companies that pay a dividend (preferably a rising dividend).
3. Look for companies that are selling cheaply (the old adage of buy low, sell high).
4. Invest in companies that are "recession-proof."
5. Don't focus on foreign companies.
6. Invest only in companies that are dominant in their industry (or that cannot be seriously hurt by a larger competitor).
7. Invest only in companies that have displayed a long history of strong performance.
8. Invest only in companies that have a strong brand loyalty among their customers.
9. Once you've bought the perfect company, never sell it!