It looks like we have now entered a new bull phase in the stock market and I have a question for you. Will you give back the profits that you make this time as you did in 2000? You sure don't want to, but you are not going to get any help from your broker.
The investors (Not really the right term. They were gamblers.) had bought stocks and mutual funds during the 90's and seen them have huge advances. They thought they were going to retire early, buy an island in the Caribbean and drink rum and coke all day with no hassels. All of a sudden the bull was attacked and eaten by a grizzly bear. Dreams of comfortable early retirement went up in smoke as the bull was barbequed.
We saw the technology stocks and many mutual funds lose about 80% of their value. Many people did not want to open their monthly brokerage statements and I couldn't blame them. Were there any way those losses could have been avoided? You betcha, but you won't hear that from your broker.
There is what I call portfolio insurance. It doesn't cost any thing and anyone can have it at no charge. Brokerage companies don't want you to use it much less even find out about it. It is a way of protecting your cash from being eaten by that nasty bear.
While the market is going up you don't even think about any financial calamity, but history has shown as far back as you want to look that the stock market goes up and it also goes DOWN. Over long periods of time it does increase at about 6% per year (including dividends and the inflation factor). During the 90's everyone was a financial genius and saw their accounts going up about 12% per year or more. That is not a sustainable pattern. Those periods do occur and are followed by years of declining prices. You don't want to own stock then, do you?
What you have to decide is how much are you willing to give up before you decide to sell. How much of your money are you willing to risk from here where you are right now. Is it 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% or more? In 2000 we saw $200 stocks go down to $5.00. You sure don't want to take that ride again.
After you make your decision you call your broker and tell (not ask) him you want to place a trailing stop loss order of 7% (whatever) on your position. Most assuredly he will try to talk you out of doing it. That 7% (?) is your insurance that you won't have to sit through a 20%, 40% or more down draught.
He will not "watch your account". That is your money not his. If you care about it you are the only one who will watch it. Place your open stop-loss order and keep your profits.
Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
Copyright 2005
http://www.mutualfundmagic.com; 1-888-345-7870
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA stock market index is a statistical measure of changes... Read More
Ever turn down a street, get half way and suddenly... Read More
To begin, you might look at playing the stock market... Read More
There are so many kinds of work that needs to... Read More
I have a 2-car garage. There are nice shelves on... Read More
Every year I go to the Money Show in Orlando,... Read More
Has your broker been calling you recently with the "great... Read More
One of the main reasons many of us get into... Read More
Sidney felt sick as she looked at her latest OptionsXpress... Read More
The fight continues to rage among traders who use technical... Read More
I constantly hear the talking heads on CNBC-TV, the radio... Read More
Financial markets provide their participants with the most favorable conditions... Read More
If you have been dealing with mutual funds for any... Read More
Just about now everyone is confused as to which way... Read More
Every broker and financial planner will tell you that you... Read More
As GuruFocus updates the stock buys and sells of gurus,... Read More
The greatest stock market myth is the idea that investing... Read More
Dollar cost averaging is one of the most popular ideas... Read More
The bear market that showed up at the end of... Read More
Outlined below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of... Read More
Yesterday I received my monthly issue of MONEY magazine. This... Read More
One of the great truisms of Wall Street is "Don't... Read More
Every day in any financial publication you will find the... Read More
I made my very first investment in the stock market... Read More
Just about everything you have been told about Social Security... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..Let's assume that you want to make some serious money... Read More
A recent cartoon in my daily newspaper showed two guys... Read More
One of the most believed bits of conventional wisdom from... Read More
The Dow Theorycharles h. dowcharles h.... Read More
Just 30 years ago the stock market was a shadow... Read More
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR standing firm in the... Read More
The debate rages all over Eastern and Central Europe, in... Read More
Do you have a financial planner? Does one of your... Read More
When purchasing mutual funds we are cautioned to read the... Read More
Its dinnertime and the phone rings. It's Joe Noname with... Read More
I cringe every time I hear a novice investor tell... Read More
Every publicly traded company is required by the SEC(Securities and... Read More
To begin, you might look at playing the stock market... Read More
The trading method you employ to approach the stock market... Read More
∙ Make every investment in the stock market a long-term... Read More
It is commonly reported that the stock market averages about... Read More
04/28/2005NASDAQ dropped -12.5% year to date in 2005. S&P500 index... Read More
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a... Read More
If you have talked to a stock broker or financial... Read More
Right now there doesn't seem to be any "gold fever".... Read More
When the stock market is going up and all your... Read More
I love roller coasters. The steeper the better. High and... Read More
Look back over the years and try to remember how... Read More
You'd have had to be living on a desert island... Read More
For some "long term" would mean holding a stock position... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |