Stock in Focus 2015 review: Did I beat the market?

Since I started writing the Stock in Focus column in May 2015, I’ve covered 31 different stocks. These selections were not buy or sell tips and were not intended to form a portfolio. But if they were, would I have beaten the market?

I’ll reveal the answer in a moment, after I’ve taken a look at the lessons from this year’s big winners and losers.

Stanley Gibbons: -66%

In my original article, I suggested that shares in stamp and collectible dealer Stanley Gibbons were overvalued and heading for a fall.

Roaring cash consumption, rising debt and falling sales all played their part in proving me right. A profit warning on October 6 was followed by a dire set of interim results.

The stock now trades at its tangible book value and could be a value buy. However, I have concerns about how effectively Stanley Gibbons will be able to convert its stock into cash.TalkTalk: -29%

My second-biggest success of 2015 was also a stock on which I had a bearish view.

At the start of August, I commented on the sudden change of tone in the TalkTalk’s trading statements....