When looking at specific companies to figure out whether the nation's economy is growing or shrinking, Detroit still offers the best approach.

I have also been looking at Japanese pharmaceutical companies, which until recently had a fairly low profile on the international scene.

Of course, some people see red when they look at tax-haven companies.

"I look at companies that are smaller than what the average growth fund manager looks at," he said.

"People suffer from looking at companies in isolation," he said.

"But if it doesn't, we will retain the option of looking at private companies," he said.

Looking at companies on an individual basis, increases of 35 to 40 percent are not uncommon.

Let us make some comparisons, and begin by looking at different companies.

"To get that, you're almost forced to look at smaller companies," he said.

He then looks especially at companies that have had share buybacks.