Is a recession about to drop upon us or will this bull market hold up?  We are reaching highs all around.?
613743
Reaching highs compared to what? Compared to when?\n\nAll market indices are below where they were six years ago. The failure in the Dow near that Jan 2000 high indicates a huge Double Top formation. Technically, we are still in the decline that began in 2000. That run-up in the stock market in April-May looks more and more like a blow-off Top, not the beginning of a new Bull Market.\n\nNobody can predict the future. The future is uncertain, and always will be. You are asking for someone to remove the uncertainty, which is impossible.\n\nLogically, this is one of the scariest markets I've ever seen in two decades of watching it; just pick something that is stable, anything. Doesn't exist, does it? Anything could send this market over the edge to the great void. But hey, it might double too, who knows. \n\nFor most people, the name of the game is capital preservation. You don't invest when the market gets too risky or too frothy or is nearing a market top or an old market top, or when the market is overpriced, or unstable, and all of these things are true today. There really is a time when cash is King. That 3% CD is going to look pretty good when everyone else is cryin' in their beer about losses. Or the market could just go sideways to work off the excesses, but either way, you're safe if you're out. Wanna throw the dice, go to Vegas.
117431
If you had a nickel for every time someone suggested that the market was close to collapse, you would have already retired -- there are a number of market pundits that suggest we're close to collapse for a variety of reasons - be it the size of the US deficit, a slowing China, debt to GDP levels - but just like the tech bubble seemed ripe for a fall -- back in 1998! -- it carried on for some time. Simply read as much as you can on the economy, get a feel for the cycle (ie. when things are good versus when things are bad) and get a sense for when it makes sense to take some money out of your investments. I personally suggest watching employment figures. When unemployment ticks up, it's a bad sign. The consumer is a key component to the strength of the economy as a whole. When jobs fail to be created - or worse - when jobs are net-net disappearing, this is a worry. A  very simple tenet, but one to focus on. Good luck.
500038
There si nothing wrong. its a natural rule wht goes up...comes down....u shud not be worried abt the rise and fall in the market...if u invest right...thn u will always make money irrespective of the market trend...moreover u can take help of an analyst who can help u with recommendations on a small fee...and help u make huge money.\n\nThe guy who helps me in BSE & NSE has also started a blog recently called:\n\nhttp://spaces.msn.com/paise-pe-paisa
565777
It hit 200 points below today on top of the 140 so yesterday.  The peak got everyone excited then came the slide down.. this really sucks for the time.. n the worst maybe yet to come, but lets see if things are put into control before that...
542854
That is a good question that I immagine everyone who owns stocks is now asking. I do not know the answer. The market had quite a run up and this might just be a technical correction. \n\nBut I have you been watching the dollar? It is falling like a meteorite. If I were a foreign investor I would be having second thoughts about owning U S stocks. Heck. I am a U S investor and I am having second thoughts. I have been moving money into foreign markets for almost 2 years. Maybe I have not been moving fast enough. \n\nThe Dow is still above the 50 day moving average so it is not yet time to push the panic button. If it does drop below the moving average, still at may not be time to panic but it may be time to think about it.
1144084
With respect to the market in general, there's been a good-sized pullback from May to the current period.  Those stocks which have suffered most are the ones which have had the largest amount of growth (precious metals, emerging markets, etc.).  Many funds not only lost all of their gains Jan-Apr, but many actually dipped into negative YTD territory.\n\nSo you have to ask yourself: is this money you have in Fidelity on a permanent downward trend or an overdue correction?  Are your losses due to the possibility that your investments at Fidelity were focused on the highest growth (and therefore most volatile and overdue for correction) funds?  What are the long-term performance records of the funds you've chosen (4 months is a drop in the bucket of time)?\n\nBasically, you can't just look at gains and losses.  You have to look specifically at the funds you've chosen, and balance them against your personal risk tolerance.  It's very likely that with the right (or wrong) combination of funds, you could have lost as much with T Rowe Price, Vanguard, Bridgeway or any number of fund families.  If you don't believe me, look at their Websites and check the fund performances.  Red ink all over the place.\n\nDon't dump funds just because they're going down or buy them just because they're going up.  How do you know you're not buying at the top or selling at the bottom?  You'll inevitably wind up buying high and selling low.  Understand why you're buying into a fund and if the circumstances that made you buy them still make sense, stick with them.  If circumstances have changed, that's the time to re-evaluate and think about selling.  Also think about selling if the assumptions you made originally were wrong.
523144
The market was way over priced and people began taking their profits. That snowballed into panic selling. It may not yet be over. Prices are still somewhat inflated.
404094
You're kidding, right? That simple, and we'd all be rich.\n\nIn May last year, AMD was at 14, rallied to 42 on Feb 1, 2oo6. It has backed off to a perfect Fibonacci .382 retracement to 31, and now sits at 33, ready to resume the rally. But the Downtrend since Feb 1st has not yet been broken.\n\nIf you see the stock above 36 in the next few weeks, it will probably make another run at its highs at 42. \n\nIf you see it break 31, it's probably going to 28, and if that doesn't hold, then probably back to 24.5 at the magic .618 retracement. \n\nBuy the stock at 36, or when it reaches 25 with a stop below 24.
541829
For most stocks the big bull market ended in 2001. They have pretty much gone nowhere since that time.\n\nToday's bull market is in companies that produce commodities such as oil, natural gas, base metals, and precious metals. This bull market has a long way to go, so don't be put off by the fact that these stocks have been going down for a couple of weeks. They may have farther to fall, but they will likely start coming back up between now and the end of the year.\n\nSome mutual funds are set up for specific sectors such as mining or energy. If you need current income, check the prospectus (the document they always send you before you invest) or call the company to see what their payout rate is.\n\nA good plan is to invest slowly over time. If you buy now and it goes up, that's great. If it goes down, you can buy more at a lower price. Either way you win.\n\nBest of success to you.
175547
I sure hope so.  I am sick of apartment living but can't afford housing here.  I say stick it out in the apartment for at least another few months to see what the market does.  I have a feeling it will be going in our favor.  Maybe it's just wishful thinking.
629196
You are learning a lesson here. The market moves on greed and fear. Fear now has the upper hand and with some reason. Have you looked at the budget deficit, the balance of trade deficit, the unfunded government obligations, the value of the dollar, the price of oil, the potential rise in mortgage rates that is likely to cause more than a few home owners to fold up shop, the jerk in the White House. \n\nSome of the sell off is based, so I have been told, on inflations fears. Now assuming that inflation does heat up companies that are leaders in their industries are not going to be hurt earnings wise. They may be stock market wise, but not earnings wise. Also with the drop in dollar companies with lots of foreign earnings will do well, MSFT for one.  \n\nWith reguards to the portfolio, you know of course that Mexico has an election coming up and the hands on favorite to win is in the same mold as the president of Venezuela.
409202
no, the more we war with the middle east, the higher prices are gonna go. south america is laughing because they arent gonna sell to us either. we are alienating ourselves. by this, we'll choke off any oil contacts & grind our production, tranportation & economy to a halt. uk isnt gonna back us anymore, we lost any european alies with the last iraq campaign, the saudis have other customers & dont necesarilly need us & irael has always sabbotaged usa, obviously not our friend. we have 20 years of oil at best here at home. china & russia wont buddy up. who do we have left. we're wedging ourselves into a position of having to attack & steal. yeh, the global economy will change in the near future, for the worst.
1156475
Nothing to do with it....... they've been dropping a bit all over the place the last few weeks (or in the case of one or two of my UK stocks plummeting)...... I think it's a mix of the US dollar heading down in value, certain members of financial officialdom doing / saying the wrong things + I've noticed alot of Dividend payments cropping up on my SHAREBUILDER statements lately (already had 4 of them over Monday & Tuesday).
165166
it would certainly not be recommended deal to wait for another 6 months to see the market going high, rather investing the money now and see it growing my friend!!
624580
Good question, Stock Market is up, unemployment is the lowest in many years, new home starts have been growing, manufacturing is on the increase.  So overall the economy is doing well!\n\nCould it be that "Bush" is doing an okay job?  If you look at the media polls his numbers are way down?  So what is going on?????
301547
The gold market is suppost be a good investment right now.  Supposidly capable of even doubling in the near future.  But like any other stock investment nothing is for sure.
1105988
Gold has actually had a really good run recently.  Historically speaking gold has returned about the rate of inflation over the last 40 years.  So gold will do well, relatively speaking, in times of inflation.  Speculators will buy gold if they think inflation is coming and drive up the price.  So it's sensitive to speculation, as all commodities are.  Long term equities have proven to be a much better purchase.\n\nTo learn more about investing and finance you can listen to my podcast, the #1 rated in the world for personal finance.  It's www.promoneytalk.com\n\nHope this helps,\n\nJason