Whats going on in the market right now?

[hellostocks]

I started investing last november with 10 stocks. I was up about 15% diversified with 10 stocks by the end of January.

In the past week I am down about 12% (total up 3%)...

I am pretty bummed about not selling some of my positions when they peaked. I have about $500/stock so my gains would be been minimized by the 10.99 commissions. And am adding abotu $1000/month to new picks or existing stocks.

I am revaulating my strategy to possibly selling half my stocks and only holding 3-5 positions so I can sell at the peaks and buy at the dips without having to worry about the commision drains.

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Does this make sense? Or am i just "on tilt" because of the current market situation?

[Luc1Grunt]

Money management. I've been stopped out on a few in the last couple days and now I'm down to 4 positions in "long term" stocks. Those remaining are making the slide as well, but 2 are starting to consolidate.

Cash is not a bad thing.

My scans are not picking up many (relatively speaking) in the past 7 days (for swing or position trades) and those that I have "watched" have not done as well as they could have......so, I guess a little discipline has saved me some bucks even though it is very hard not "being in the fight" each day. I think I'll sit on the sidelines a bit and use the extra time for research.

[oldboldpilot]

According to the "Gurus" the market is lacking direction. Since oil is
tanking, the market has no leadership. That and the fact that the damned
memebers of the FED (including Greenspan) keep saying things like......
there are more interest rate hikes in the future. Every time one of these Fed
people open their mouths, the market takes a hit. Thus has it been and thus
shall it alway be. Shades of Greenspan's "irrational exhuberence" remarks
which caused the markets to plummet. Uncertainty is one of the really big
bugaboos to the markets and the present time is certainly an illustration
of THAT !!!!!!!
Could well be time to sit on the sidelnes and observe !

[chinaman711]

Strategy
Uncertainty over the Fed's policy regarding interest rates continues to hang heavily over the market causing stock prices to move lower. With one red light and a DnUp situation, Prudent Investors should not buy stocks at this time. Aggressive Investors and Traders should play the market to the downside. For those of you who are "Riding the Wave," we are short with stocks from the "Sector Peak - Short" strategy which is located in Strategies - Speculative group
I use this service to get a direction on the stock market and it is very good.

[madcowdisease]

Strategy
Uncertainty over the Fed's policy regarding interest rates continues to hang heavily over the market causing stock prices to move lower. With one red light and a DnUp situation, Prudent Investors should not buy stocks at this time. Aggressive Investors and Traders should play the market to the downside. For those of you who are "Riding the Wave," we are short with stocks from the "Sector Peak - Short" strategy which is located in Strategies - Speculative group
I use this service to get a direction on the stock market and it is very good.

So are you sitting this one out?

In the past week I've given up most of my gains and am sitting at breakeven. I'm pissed but don't want to capitulate just to have the market ramp up like it did in November after October's slide.

[optimus25]

Don't know about you guys but I'm seeing a buying opportunity soon. I only buy when the market takes these protracted dives. Sometimes I buy too early, sometimes I buy too late, but most times I make money. Bought GILD during the last downturn and traded a number of different stocks. I like to see the market go down like this because I like buying stocks when the PE multiples are decent vs. growth.

[optimus25]

I hope markets move lower...most technicians would say that the market is looking a bit oversold.

Soon, its: Buy! Buy! Buy!

[optimus25]

I started investing last november with 10 stocks. I was up about 15% diversified with 10 stocks by the end of January.

In the past week I am down about 12% (total up 3%)...

I am pretty bummed about not selling some of my positions when they peaked. I have about $500/stock so my gains would be been minimized by the 10.99 commissions. And am adding abotu $1000/month to new picks or existing stocks.

I am revaulating my strategy to possibly selling half my stocks and only holding 3-5 positions so I can sell at the peaks and buy at the dips without having to worry about the commision drains.

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Does this make sense? Or am i just "on tilt" because of the current market situation?

Experience is the best teacher. You'll learn as you keep trading. You should look to keeping only a handful of stocks. I only buy 1-2 stocks in my trading account and in round lots of 100-1000 depending on the price of the stock but no more than 4K per stock.

BTW, make sure you take advantage of any 401K's, IRA's, etc. for your long term investments.

[madcowdisease]

I hope markets move lower...most technicians would say that the market is looking a bit oversold.

Soon, its: Buy! Buy! Buy!

I agree, I cleared out of AMTD the other day as I saw it going considerably lower. I have cash sitting on the sideline and am just waiting to pounce. Keep us posted as to when you are getting to work.

[optimus25]

I agree, I cleared out of AMTD the other day as I saw it going considerably lower. I have cash sitting on the sideline and am just waiting to pounce. Keep us posted as to when you are getting to work.

I guess today would have been a great day to get in. The traders are feasting on lower crude oil prices.

Even in light of more rate increases, the markets are shrugging off that news.

I don't think this rally will last too long. Great trading opportunities though as I put my clients into some long term holdings the past two weeks. Its paying off today.