Sure, it’s been a miserable couple of years to be a stock investor. Since the euphoric market highs of March 2000, the stock market has been subject to frequent, gut-wrenching declines, culminating in the sell-off that followed the tragic events of Sept. 11. A long-term investor who is diversified and focused may feel the pain, but knows he shouldn’t make […]
The Motley Fools are living up to their names
A big Internet phenomenon during the glory days of the stock market in 1999 was the Motley Fool website. The irreverent site was started in 1997 by David and Tom Gardner, two 30-something brothers out to show just average folks that they could beat the investment professionals and the markets with simple investment strategies. They touted stock picking as fun […]
Refinancings spur a dangerous spending spree
The stock market is down, major corporations are slashing costs and employees, and yet consumers continue to spend, spend, spend. How do they manage to keep going? Economists say much of the spending boom is due to a huge wave of mortgage refinancing. Homeowners are taking advantage of a recent spurt in housing prices and lower interest rates to refinance […]
Should you do something when stocks drop?
I have recently been asked by several friends, “Should the financial aftermath of the infamous terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 change my investment and financial planning?” Some investors have the feeling that conditions have changed so radically that they should rethink their plans. For most that may not be true. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Have my goals […]