donzelion

Top Stocks to Buy in 2009

As you say, "if you lost money, know that most professionals who make a living doing this, lost money too, and lots of it."

The takeaway, as I see it, comes to this: for most small investors, (1) it is better to just buy ETFs, and (2) unless you're playing with other people's money, it's best to invest in personal income skills - that is, self-training, education, job path - and leave stock speculation to folks with time and money to burn.

Unless of course, stocks provide some sort of entertainment (there's no rollercoasters over where I'm living - so equities offer adrenaline rushes).

Companies in Shape, and Looking Good...

Though I own a fair number of the stocks on the list, I wouldn't expect my picks to win any beauty contests. In Hollywood, for every star, there are thousands of wannabes, many of whom are just as beautiful and talented as the ones who make it big. Worse, their bankable celebrity lasts a decade or two - whereas good companies endure, year in, year out.

Seven Irrational Retail Valuations

"...there have to be some great opportunities for someone who can see through the haze."

Wouldn't that be true no matter which way the market winds blew?

Thing is, for most retailer, there's sales on (1) opening a new store (licensing fees, like most franchises) and (2) sales of product. Product sales have been one of the beneficiaries of consumer credit (along with houses). Why should apparel bounce back before, say, housing or automotive sectors?