Philip A. Fisher, 96; Early Author of Advice Books on Investing

Philip A. Fisher, 96, who wrote one of the first widely popular investment books almost half a century ago, died March 11 at his home in San Mateo, his son, Kenneth, noted in the current issue of Forbes magazine.

In 1958, Fisher published “Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits,” which was one of the earliest books of its kind to appear on bestseller lists.

Billionaire investor Warren E. Buffett has called Fisher’s treatise on growth stock investing a major influence on his own career.

Adopting the philosophy of buying and holding investments, Fisher advised people to buy stock in innovative companies that lead in their fields, are committed to research and development, and have top-quality executives with integrity.

Born in San Francisco, Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford, and served as an aviator in the Army.

He founded his investment firm, Fisher & Co., in 1932, when he was 24, and retired in 1999 at age 91.