In terms of trust, for long term investments I like to invest in companies where insiders own a large% of stock outstanding AND they do not issue themselves stock options or increase the share count every year. I like to see a stable number of shares outstanding. The best companies to invest in you find and think, "why the heck did they ever go public? I would love to own this entire business".
Throw in measures of growth, free cash flow, price to sales,and similar and you can find some "value" stocks with long term, owner oriented management. If you can get it at a reasonable price, then in terms of serious investing, the company will be working for you on your side, no longer a blind speculation.
These are not the flashy stocks you here about on CNBC. These are the dull businesses, usually Conservative Christian management, that can make great long term investments because they believe in stewardship and not short-term profiteering and slickster maneuvering. With all the pc bs about nepotism etc, I h love to see multiple generations working in a company as active managers. A company with that going on to me is more likely to take a real long term view.
The last thing you want with long term investments is "slickster" mgt that is always issuing stock, huge options packages, and all that trash. That worked in bubbles but it is at times like this that the parasites are exposed and their companies go down the toilet.
