By Mark LaMonica, CFA
Publication Date: 2026-04-17 00:00:00
Conventional wisdom is a byproduct of groupthink that presents solutions that are good enough for the average person, but at the same time are not right for any individual. You follow it at your own risk. Every Monday, I’ll challenge the investing norms that may be holding you back from living the life you want.
Unconventional wisdom: A top-performing “AI stock” happened to end up in my portfolio
“During the gold rush is a good time to be in the pickaxe and shovel business.”
– Mark Twain
In August 2015 I found a company that was exactly my thing. It was conservative and boring and had a history of raising dividends. I bought shares in the truck engine manufacturer Cummins (NYSE:CMI).
Things were going well for me in April 2025. In the decade I owned the company, the returns were in line with the S&P 500 and the dividend increased 133%. This corresponds to an annual increase of 8.84%, which is well above inflation.
Then something funny happened. And believe me, I’m not complaining. Over the course of…
