As one of my regular readers you know I have been a stock market bear for the past 2 years and have encouraged everyone to put their money into a money market account or a short-term no-load bond fund and for the more adventurous what is called a bear mutual fund that goes up when the market goes down. Just being in cash as outlined in my book would have saved 40% or more of your money.
It looks like the bull has returned - at least for a while. The low that was hit on October 8 was a serious one. As the market has gone up there have been more and more who believe we are in a recovery mode so they are committing funds again. This is true not only for the average investor who has been seriously hurt with the invalid Buy and Hold philosophy, but also the pension and retirement plans of both large and small corporations. Many pension plans (hopefully not yours) have had losses of 30% to 50%.
I hate to tell you this, but those fund managers, as expert as they pretend to be, have no more idea how to protect that fund than you do. Am I being pessimistic? Maybe, but then why did 90% of all stock mutual funds lose money so far this year? The only stocks and mutual funds showing a profit have been bonds, gold and bear funds. You can be sure your financial manager was not smart enough to own any of these.
Well, anyway, back to this new bull market. Many pension plans and funds have been making a small recovery and the investor is again opening his mail from his 401K. It has been too painful to see those losses.
Will this bull last? The current underlying fundamentals say 'NO', but the outlook by market analysts is that next year we will see the return of good corporate profits and better exports to foreign countries. So far it has been the American consumer who has held the market up with purchases of cars and houses. If this can continue we will see some corporate expansion and employment rise again.
The market has been rising on anticipation of that scenario. Unless we can see corporations making decent profits so they can expand their business this shadow bull will disappear in a flash of light. Whoever you work for must make a good profit or you won't have a job. It isn't his fault or yours. He can't afford to keep you unless there are profits.
Let's hope this shadow bull has more substance to it.
(c) 2005
Al Thomas' best selling 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 to receive his market letter for 3 months at www.mutualfundmagic.com to discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
one time home cleaning Morton Grove ..All of the talking heads have been telling us that... Read More
As an investor you will want to check out any... Read More
Every day in any financial publication you will find the... Read More
Regardless of the fact that the world's stock markets have... Read More
One of the things people are always asking me is... Read More
The Macedonian Stock Exchange (MSE) is not operating successfully. True,... Read More
Many people would like to diversify their portfolios to expand... Read More
Day trading is all about making buy and sell decisions.... Read More
The stock market has been in an up trend for... Read More
If you have been watching the stock market at all... Read More
It is finally catching up with them. The brokerage companies... Read More
The basis of diminishing return discussions surround such simple notions;... Read More
Spread trading is a technique that can be used to... Read More
Sometimes the best way of lowering exposure to risk is... Read More
There are major differences between trading stocks and trading futures.... Read More
1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
To become a successful trader you must have some kind... Read More
The Winter Games for the Olympics are coming up soon... Read More
What can I expect to make my first year of... Read More
Just about everything you have been told about Social Security... Read More
The Shadow knows. Remember him? It seems a shadow has... Read More
During our travel down life's path we come to many... Read More
Among the largest forces that affect stock prices are inflation,... Read More
When most analysts, financial planners, fund specialists and investors try... Read More
Have you been listening to the talking heads on CNBC-TV?... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Glencoe ..One of the basic laws of physics is that a... Read More
This is the continuing story of our two imaginary traders,... Read More
Just about everything you have been told about Social Security... Read More
What can I expect to make my first year of... Read More
This is a rather simple strategy with which I am... Read More
As GuruFocus updates the stock buys and sells of gurus,... Read More
Maximizing a stock market investmentThere are several factors an investor... Read More
It is wonderful to be alive in the information age.... Read More
Do you have a financial planner? Does one of your... Read More
One of the basic laws of physics states that a... Read More
The basis of diminishing return discussions surround such simple notions;... Read More
Profitable day traders recognize that momentum trading is among the... Read More
1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
If you haven't heard of the technical indicator with the... Read More
Trading is a fascinating activity.There are so many layers to... Read More
If you don't know what a Roth IRA is then... Read More
You remember (they show it on TV every year) the... Read More
Buy high and sell low -- It's not a typo.Millions... Read More
Wouldn't it be nice if you were only in the... Read More
Cat or dog? Maybe Zebra. Shucks, I don't know, but... Read More
As one of my regular readers you know I have... Read More
In 1960 an engineer working for a watch company in... Read More
A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More
When most analysts, financial planners, fund specialists and investors try... Read More
For the year 2000 we have seen hundreds of mutual... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |