Keep in mind the above doesn’t reflect some tough times in the market since April ended. For my thoughts on the recent market turmoil, please read my latest Letter to Investors, which went out Saturday morning. Pleased to see that one of my expectations about Greece has already been met since then.

To find out what stocks are in the Tarpon Folio now – with one exception, as per my letter – please click here to sign up. And to find out more about the Tarpon Folio, visit my firm’s website at www.islainvest.com.

Disclaimer: This performance is highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Because the portfolio contains a limited number of companies, its returns will be more volatile than a portfolio investing in a higher number of stocks. Fund inception date 11/20/2008. Returns above are as of 04/30/10. Positive returns are not guaranteed. Individual results will vary depending on market conditions and investing may cause capital loss. The performance data is “net of all fees” reflecting the deduction of advisory fees, brokerage commissions and any other client paid expenses and includes the reinvestment of capital gains. The publication of this performance data is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities.

On successful investing:

We’ve put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. It’s been an ideal period for investors: A climate of fear is their best friend. Those who invest only when commentators are upbeat end up paying a heavy price for meaningless reassurance. In the end, what counts in investing is what you pay for a business – through the purchase of a small piece of it in the stock market – and what that business earns in the succeeding decade or two.

On the bailouts of last year:

In my view a board of directors of a huge financial institution is derelict if it does not insist that its CEO bear full responsibility for risk control. If he’s incapable of handling that job, he should look for other employment. And if he fails at it – with the government thereupon required to step in with funds or guarantees – the financial consequences for him and his board should be severe.

It has not been shareholders who have botched the operations of some of our country’s largest financial institutions. Yet they have borne the burden, with 90% or more of the value of their holdings wiped out in most cases of failure. Collectively, they have lost more than $500 billion in just the four largest financial fiascos of the last two years. To say these owners have been “bailed-out” is to make a mockery of the term.

The CEOs and directors of the failed companies, however, have largely gone unscathed. Their fortunes may have been diminished by the disasters they oversaw, but they still live in grand style. It is the behavior of these CEOs and directors that needs to be changed: If their institutions and the country are harmed by their recklessness, they should pay a heavy price – one not reimbursable by the companies they’ve damaged nor by insurance. CEOs and, in many cases, directors have long benefitted from oversized financial carrots; some meaningful sticks now need to be part of their employment picture as well.

And, in case you’re wondering – yes, although it looks a bit odd, apparently it is acceptable to spell “benefitted” in the above with two t’s. But I had to Google that to be sure.

Uh, did I mention I get a bit obsessed with these letters?

Anyway, the best quote attributed to Charlie Munger:

Are we supposed to applaud because the dog that fouls our lawn is a Chihuahua rather than a Saint Bernard?

And the closing thought:

At 86 and 79, Charlie and I remain lucky beyond our dreams. We were born in America; had terrific parents who saw that we got good educations; have enjoyed wonderful families and great health; and came equipped with a “business” gene that allows us to prosper in a manner hugely disproportionate to that experienced by many people who contribute as much or more to our society’s well-being. Moreover, we have long had jobs that we love, in which we are helped in countless ways by talented and cheerful associates. Indeed, over the years, our work has become ever more fascinating; no wonder we tap-dance to work. If pushed, we would gladly pay substantial sums to have our jobs (but don’t tell the Comp Committee).

Here’s the letter in its entirety.

And if you’re thinking about going to Omaha for the annual meeting on May 1st, please let me know!

Thanks to everyone for all the support this year. And don’t forget about the annual meeting in January!

Disclaimer: This performance is highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Because the portfolio contains a limited number of companies, its returns will be more volatile than a portfolio investing in a higher number of stocks. Fund inception date 11/20/2008. Returns above are as of 11/20/09. Positive returns are not guaranteed. Individual results will vary depending on market conditions and investing may cause capital loss. The performance data is “net of all fees” reflecting the deduction of advisory fees, brokerage commissions and any other client paid expenses and includes the reinvestment of capital gains. The publication of this performance data is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities.

To receive a list of all companies held in the Tarpon Folio, please sign-up by clicking on this link. You’ll also be added to my firm’s email newsletter, which goes out once a month. You can opt out anytime. And here is IIM’s privacy policy.

Thanks!

Disclaimer: This performance is highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Because the portfolio contains a limited number of companies, its returns will be more volatile than a portfolio investing in a higher number of stocks. Fund inception date 11/20/2008. Returns above are as of 9/30/09. Positive returns are not guaranteed. Individual results will vary depending on market conditions and investing may cause capital loss. The performance data is “net of all fees” reflecting the deduction of advisory fees, brokerage commissions and any other client paid expenses and includes the reinvestment of capital gains. The publication of this performance data is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities.

It’s been a remarkable start for Tarpon. Sure, our little spoke fund is only six months old, but that nutty period in the history of capitalism should be counted like dog-years, no?

Here’s where we are since inception:

Through the end of May, the Tarpon Folio was outperforming the S&P 500 by 44.4% – but there is simply no way this kind of performance can continue. Luck has certainly played a role. So, we’re taking these short-term results for whatever they’re worth.

My next Letter to Investors will be coming out soon. Sign up in the Cale’s Email Newsletter box at right.

Here’s our movie on the Tarpon Folio, and some marketing propaganda. And performance is calculated in the above using a simple holding period return formula.

Also, Lawyer Todd sends his best:

Disclaimer: This performance is highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Because the portfolio contains a limited number of companies, its returns will be more volatile than a portfolio investing in a higher number of stocks. Fund inception date 11/20/2008. Returns above are as of 5/31/09. Positive returns are not guaranteed. Individual results will vary depending on market conditions and investing may cause capital loss. The performance data is “net of all fees” reflecting the deduction of advisory fees, brokerage commissions and any other client paid expenses and includes the reinvestment of capital gains. The publication of this performance data is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities.