My Investing Philosophy: The “Hold for Life” Approach to Global Dividends
by Michael Lamonaca 9 July 2025
At The Italian Reviews, our mission in the world of finance is clear: to guide you towards building lasting wealth through a disciplined, patient, and value-driven approach to global dividend investing. We believe that true financial freedom comes not from chasing fleeting trends, but from owning a piece of the world’s best businesses for the long haul, letting compounding and consistent income do the heavy lifting.
This is my “Hold for Life” philosophy, a strategy refined over years of navigating markets and focusing on what truly matters: intrinsic value and sustainable income.
The Core Tenets of My “Hold for Life” Philosophy:
- Buy Businesses, Not Stocks: We don’t just buy symbols on a screen; we acquire ownership in real businesses with strong fundamentals. Our focus is on understanding the company, its competitive advantages (its “moat”), its management, and its ability to generate consistent free cash flow. We seek to truly know what we own, as you would if you were buying a private enterprise.
- Patience is Our Greatest Edge: Markets are often noisy and irrational, driven by short-term emotions of fear and greed. My “Hold for Life” approach embraces patience. We don’t react to daily headlines or market fluctuations. Instead, we wait for compelling value, allowing time to be our ally as our investments compound and mature. This means sometimes “parking cash” and doing nothing, which is often the hardest, but most profitable, decision.
- Value is Our Compass: We believe that every asset has an intrinsic value. Our rigorous analysis focuses on identifying high-quality businesses trading below their true worth. This “margin of safety” provides a buffer against unforeseen events and increases our potential for long-term returns. We are always looking for opportunities to buy excellence at a discount, globally.
- Dividends: The Consistent Income Stream: While capital appreciation is a welcome outcome, our primary focus is on generating a growing stream of passive income through dividends. We scrutinize a company’s ability to pay and grow its dividends sustainably from robust free cash flow, ensuring that the income we receive is reliable and contributes meaningfully to our long-term financial goals. We look for companies committed to returning value to shareholders.
- Contrarian Thinking, Not Herd Following: When the crowd is euphoric, we are cautious. When pessimism reigns, we are alert for opportunity. Our philosophy often leads us to invest against prevailing sentiment, patiently acquiring quality assets when they are out of favor and overlooked by the broader market. We trust our analysis over popular opinion.
- Global Opportunities, Disciplined Approach: The world is full of exceptional businesses. Our methodology transcends geographical borders, seeking “Hold for Life” candidates wherever sound fundamentals and attractive valuations intersect. Whether it’s in developed or emerging markets, our principles guide us to opportunities that fit our strict criteria.
- Emotional Discipline & Long-Term Vision: Investing successfully over decades requires more than just analytical skill; it demands emotional resilience. My philosophy emphasizes disciplined decision-making, resisting the urge to make impulsive moves, and maintaining a steadfast focus on the multi-decade horizon. We ignore short-term noise to achieve long-term financial peace of mind.
This philosophy forms the bedrock of my strategies, including how I approach portfolio construction, risk management, and capital allocation. It’s the journey I embark on, and the path I believe can lead you to a more secure and prosperous financial future.
Explore my Investing Insights to see these principles in action, or dive deep into my comprehensive guide to learn how to apply the “Hold for Life” method yourself.