NeilEzell

S&P Returns Since 1927 Are Important

Rich, thanks for the serious reply. I'll use all the in formation you supplied. It's nice for a change to get a responce that doesn't critisise my lack of writing skill and spelling mistakes.

S&P Returns Since 1927 Are Important

Good information and comments from everyone. Not as much trash talk about other comments as the other forums I look at. Everyone seems very informed. Unfortunately some of us (me) are a total novice. As a young retiree that has decided to eventually break away from financial planners, mutual funds, etc., where do we start? The question might seem broad and vague, hopefully the gist of the question is understandable. Thank you.

Another Bloodbath?

What amazes me is "even" I was able to see all this coming. Refer to a comment I posted long ago. I went to total cash June 7 2007. Yes I missed the top and many in-out oportunities since I went cash, but I sure as heck missed the bottom as a buy and hold invester. My point is I'm not an economic or investing wizzard. Why didn't the Wall Street "brains" see this coming?

Things Aren't as Bad as They Seem - Barron's

One thing is certain. There is no shortage of totally opposite opinions. After reading all the current articles available to me I've came to two conclusions. The economy isn't so bad, it's time to buy equities at very low prices. Or, we're in for the worst times ever. Sell anything and everything held. Where are valid opinions that concur? Who is recomemding trully safe places to park our savings. Gold maybe? Look at the situation of the early 80's and see the dramatic rise and fall of gold and silver. We appear to be in similar times now.

Bear Market on the Way? Historical Evidence Says No

I totally agree that we have entered a period that historical trends are not very relevant in predicting the market. Lessons on what is possible maybe. But we are in totally different world today. Not so long ago the average citizen had no idea what the DOW, S&P, etc. was, and didn't care for that matter. We are now in an era of supercharged financial media and Internet market GURU'S becoming celebreties and many ears and minds are tuned in. Even former financial authorities (Greenspan) can alter the market with a few comments, that get analyzed as if God just spoke. In our computer era every economist or wanna be expert is cruching so many numbers, trend lines, statistics, etc. till our heads spin, if we're dumb enough to listen. Wonder how John Tempeton or Waren Buffet got by before computers were a way of life? I'm reminded of two things my grandfather said a long time ago. "The world is full of educated fools.", and "Figures never lie, but liars often figure." Ok, maybe liar is too ugly of word, but how often does their data point in different directions? Oh, I forgot disagreeing financial authorities makes for great entertainment and fills a void in the investment media. So many opinions are out there some will be right. Remember Jean Dixon? Make enough predictions and BINGO, some turn out to be true. Are we better educated investors today or just more confused? I'm convinced no one regardless of the graphs or charts they generate can predict the near or long term future with any accuracy that approaches certainty.