This was a pretty horrible week for the market with two 100-point days and Friday closing on the lows.
During these past few days Sir Alan told us things are looking up and the economy is basically strong. Mr. Market didn''t hear him. It seems that jaw boning can''t get people to buy. In fact there were more sellers than buyers.
If you go back in history it is a truism that has become conventional wisdom that the stock market goes up during an election year. The reasoning is obvious. The president - who ever he is - in office will pull out all the stops to create the illusion that the economy is in good shape and he is the one who takes credit for it. Both Mr. Bush and the Fed chairman better get their best top hat out and reach way down for that white rabbit.
It is going take some real magic to get folks in a buying mood. The lower it goes the less likely they are to buy. Of course Mikkel Boedker Sharks Jersey , brokers are calling and telling investors, "This is the break to buy. Stocks are cheap. Better get on board now. You can''t let this opportunity pass by. You can''t afford to be out of the market." And on and on with the platitudes. Don''t believe any of that hog wash.
What brokers should be telling investors is to protect their money by placing stop loss orders. You can be sure that won''t happen. The big brokerage firms frown on stops and punish brokers who encourage customers to use them. Fortunately, when I was a broker I worked for company that did not penalize this concept and I refused to take a customer who would not place stops when they bought something. That is why I never lost customers and had them for years.
This year the major indexes (DOW, S&P Tim Heed Sharks Jersey , and NASDAQ) are down. Not a great deal, but definitely lower. This means for those who invest in index mutual funds that they are running a loss. Brokers always say, "You are in for the long haul" so not to worry about what is happening now. That''s what they told you in 2000 and you still have not recovered your losses from then.
No brokerage firm tells the true story of the secular bull and bear markets. These have occurred with great regularity for the past 200 years and will, if history continues to repeat Melker Karlsson Sharks Jersey , follow the same course. The shortest secular bear has been 8 years and the longest 25 years. At a minimum we are not half way through this one. Prudent investors (and I hope that''s you) will protect their portfolios with stop loss protection on every position. Every broker and financial planner will advise against it, but it your money not theirs.
The market is not magic. Hocus pocus and white rabbits will not make it go up for very long. Illusions are not where it''s at. Forget the brokers'' abracadabras and place your stop loss protection today.
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 and discover why he''s the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
1-888-345-7870; al@ Halloween has come and gone Kevin Labanc Sharks Jersey , so you know what that means: we have entered the surprisingly swift slide towards the long holiday season. Before you know it, you''ll be seeing turkeys and then Santas pop up everywhere. Instead of waiting until the last minute - again - to do your holiday gift shopping, start now, while you still have time to think up something creative.
Why not start your brainstorming with your boss? After all Justin Braun Sharks Jersey , he or she is one of the reasons you still have a job this holiday season, while so many less fortunate people out there will be spending their holiday sending out resumes and asking Santa for a new position. Take a look at these four great gift ideas for your boss.
Gifts From the Whole Gang
One thing you can do for your boss that he or she will be sure to appreciate is to get the rest of your workplace in on the fun. You can chip in together to offer your boss something particularly nice, such as an airplane ticket to your boss''s favorite holiday destination, or even a cruise. If your boss is a sports fan Chris Tierney Sharks Jersey , get him or her a couple tickets of premiere seats for the big game. Of course, this only works if you have a big enough office to afford such a gift.
For something less expensive that everyone can be involved in, offer your boss a framed poster with all of the team''s signatures around it.
Gag Gifts for Your Boss
Gag gifts are great fun - if your boss has a good sense of humor, and your relationship is such that you know your boss will enjoy a humorous or even raunchy gift.
Two words of caution about gag gifts Tomas Hertl Sharks Jersey , however. First, if you''re not sure if your boss would find it funny - if you find yourself hesitating even a little bit, wondering if this is really such a good idea - don''t do it. The last thing you want to do is offer something that you hoped would earn a laugh, and instead it earns a scowl. Second Martin Jones Sharks Jersey , if you''re going to offer a gag gift to your boss, make sure it''s something unique and personal, such as an item that is reminiscent of an office inside joke. What you don''t want is something generically funny that will end up in the wastebasket by January 15.
Boss-Approved Of-the-month Clubs
"Of-the-month" clubs are excellent gifts that keep on giving. From more traditional book-of-the-month clubs to more unique subscriptions, such as wine-of-the-month or pie-of-the-month clubs Joonas Donskoi Sharks Jersey , the chances are you can find an of-the-month club that fits your boss''s hobbies and lifestyle.
Does your boss dote on his or her dogs? Consider a dog-treat-of-the-month club, where your boss will receive custom-baked dog treats for Rover and Fido every month. Does your boss like gardening? A garden-of-the-month club will provide your boss with gardening tools and bulbs each month.