Investing is one of those disciplines you may never truly master. Even the great Warren Buffett has (and does) make mistakes. All we can hope is to learn from our mistakes and get a little better each day.

As part of my own journey, I like to study what works for the world’s best investors like Buffett and what doesn’t. So here are three investing ‘secrets to success’ I’ve observed experts using which I try and implement into my investing style.

Secret 1: Be your own person

One of the downsides to the rise of the internet is how many different opinions are accessible and can influence your own. For every good idea you have, you can be sure there are ten articles that will completely shoot you down.

Not letting these get in the way of a good high-conviction idea you have is a secret to success. Remember, Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) was under $9 a share just two months ago and many said it was done as a company. Today, it’s over $47 a share.

2) Don’t trade your profits away

For some reason, popular culture often paints successful investors as traders – jumping in and out of shares a hundred times a day. This couldn’t be further from the truth in my view. In contrast, the most successful investors I’ve observed (like Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger) seem very happy to not do a whole lot most of the time.

Instead, they wait for once-in-a-decade opportunities to buy the companies they like at the right price. Buffett himself was said to want to own Coca-Cola shares ever since he was a child. But he waited until 1987 (when he was 57 years old) to buy his first tranche. Now that’s patience.

3) Most investors are better off buying the index

Here at the Motley Fool, we think anyone with the right attitude and decent experience can outperform the market over time and get awesome returns. But the sad truth is, most retail investors (and many professional fund managers) simply don’t. As such, these investors would have been better off just buying an index fund like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

I’m not saying that everyone should just give up and ‘buy the index’. But it’s a sobering statistic that any investor who wants to become successful should always keep in mind.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Why the Zip Co share price rocketed 57% higher in May
• 3 top Warren Buffett quotes to start your week right
• I don’t normally buy ETFs, but I would buy these 2
• This ASX fintech share is up 489% since March

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) share price has been one of the standout performers on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) during the coronavirus crisis. 

Despite a bit of a push back during May, the company’s share price has risen strongly since the end of January. Sitting at $14.51 only 4 months ago, a2 Milk’s shares are now trading at $17.26 at the time of writing. These gains also follow on from a strong share price rally throughout last November.

Is the a2 Milk share price still a buy?

Strong growth during the March quarter

Let’s first take a recap on a2 Milk’s recent financial and operational performance.

In a trading update in late April, a2 Milk outlined that it has continued to see strong growth since late February, across all regions.

Revenue for the March quarter was in fact, above expectations. The coronavirus pandemic saw many consumers stock up a2 Milk’s products, especially through online and reseller channels.

In particular, demand for its infant nutrition products sold in China and Australia has been very strong.

EBITDA margin predicted to exceed expectations

In addition, higher levels of marketing investment in China and the USA will hopefully pay off for a2 Milk. Both these markets still offer huge growth potential.

This investment is likely to help deliver higher overall revenue growth across key regions during FY 2020. It is also likely to lift a2 Milk’s full year EBITDA margin above the range it advised in February.

It is now predicted to be between 31% to 32%, assisted partly by favourable currency exchange rate movements.

A very healthy result, if it can be achieved.

Is it too late to buy shares in a2 Milk at today’s price?

a2 Milk has been among the top performing shares on the ASX since it listed back in 2015.

The company has cleverly evolved into a highly trusted and recognised brand, renowned for its quality. a2 Milk is now also a very profitable business, after initially running at a loss.

I see no reason why the a2 Milk success story can’t continue, driven by very strong growth opportunities in North America and China.

However, the a2 Milk share price is now definitely looking at bit pricey.

Furthermore, the coronavirus crisis has added some uncertainty regarding earnings growth over the short term with the possibility that both supply chains and consumer demand will be impacted. This could bring about further share price volatility for a2.

Having said that, I still think the company represents a reasonably good buy and hold option for investors with a long-term investment horizon.

I prefer it over other infant formula providers such as Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB) and Nuchev Ltd (ASX: NUC).

Over the next 5 years I think a2 Milk will continue to be a strong performer and that this is likely to translate to above average share price growth.

More reading

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Phil Harpur owns shares of A2 Milk. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of BUBS AUST FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of A2 Milk. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BUBS AUST FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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On Monday I looked at three ASX shares that brokers have given buy ratings to this week.

Unfortunately, not all shares are in favour with them right now. Three that have just been given sell ratings are listed below.

Here’s why these brokers are bearish on these ASX 200 shares:

Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC)

According to a note out of the Macquarie equities desk, its analysts have retained their underperform rating but lifted the price target on this horticulture company’s shares to $2.87. The broker felt that Costa’s annual general meeting update last week was reasonably mixed. And while there were positives in respect to demand and pricing, it wasn’t enough to warrant a change in rating by the broker. The Costa share price is trading at $3.15 this afternoon.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Analysts at Citi have downgraded this jewellery retailer’s shares to a sell rating and cut the price target on them to $5.85. According to the note, the broker believes the recovery in the Lovisa share price over the last couple of months has been overdone. Especially as it believes Lovisa could fall short of consensus earnings estimates over the medium term. This is due to changing consumer preferences, lower shopping centre traffic, and a slowdown in its store network expansion. Lovisa shares are changing hands at $7.80 on Tuesday.

Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their underweight rating and $1.25 price target on this shopping centre operator’s shares. This follows the company’s announcement of a $1.2 billion placement and the cancellation of its final dividend. Outside this, it fears that Vicinity’s rent rates will fall heavily due to the pandemic and weigh on its income. The Vicinity share price is trading at $1.55 this afternoon.

More reading

• Why Evolution, Iress, Pro Medicus, & Vicinity shares are dropping lower
• ASX 200 down 0.1%: Big four banks drag ASX lower ahead of RBA meeting
• The latest ASX 200 stocks to be upgraded by top brokers
• ASX 200 down 1.2%: Westpac tumbles, Appen reaffirms guidance, Costa CEO to retire
• Why Costa, Freedom Foods, Sonic, & Westpac shares are tumbling lower

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended COSTA GRP FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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