DOW down nearly 200 pts. today

[Frustratedlady]

Markets: Full Coverage
DJIA -199.15 11,048.72
NASDAQ -49.79 2,169.62
S&P 500 -22.93 1,265.29
Enter a Symbol:

[Squatch]

1. Are you retiring and cashing out of the market in the next

couple of days, weeks or months?

[mnhtnbb]

4. Sold 5/12--ALL individual stocks and kept mutual funds;

and bond funds. We are looking at possible retirement by 2008. We still have a son in high school for two more years.

We are building a house in Panama (maybe retirement) that is currently under construction. We're not sure how much we're going to finance, so to play it safe I cashed out all our individual stocks. I've been sleeping much better. I'm now sitting on 50% cash, 25% mutual funds (including international funds), 25% bond funds. My husband is all in TIPS.

[Frustratedlady]

8. I am retired...

and have pulled my money out of the mutual stock and put it into a safer account until I see what this turkey is going to do. I can't afford to be risky.

[Mojambo]

2. Stocks are gay! n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Let's just say "They go down."

[Doctor_J]

3. So gay-baiting isn't the economic stimulus he thought it would be

go figure.

[havocmom]

5. Explains why Chertoff decided there was nothing to protect in NYC

That'll teach Wall Street not to help support the lie of a robust economy!

[Trouser Trout]

6. Boo Hoo Ha Ha

That's funny, Mujambo !

We'll be right back.

[retread]

7. Damn gay marriage is at it again. This time threatening the stock market.

#

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. It really isn't a big drop

Yesterday's close: 11,247.87
Today's close: 11,040.24
Difference: 207.63
% of change: -1.8%

Panicking over a change like this is like panicking over the fact that, if you fly in an airplane, you are a mile and a half closer to getting whacked in the head by the moon :hi:

The market has been in a downward trend for almost a month, after hitting a high of 11,642.65 on May 10. The Dow is still showing gains over the last 3 months. Seriously, there is nothing to be alarmed about. If you want to study changes in the US markets, you might want to look at Microsoft Investor, which is what I use. Use the small links in the upper left hand corner to check the various indexes.

[Frustratedlady]

10. I'm not in a panic,

but in deep concern. Aw, maybe a bit of panic thrown in. If I thought our leadership was solid, I wouldn't be concerned, but I don't think there is much argument that they don't have a clue. I should know, as I don't have a clue, either.

[TechBear_Seattle]

14. The DJIA is a *terrible* gague of US political leadership

The Dow Jones Industrial Average -- actually, every market index -- is a poor indicator of how "our leadership" is doing or is generally seen. At best, indexes will tell you how much faith a small group of very powerful investors have in the companies which make up the index. The market influence that you and I and all other small American investors collectively have is insignificant compared to the influence wielded by Merril-Lynch or the directors of the General Motors retirement fund or the House of Saud. They are the ones who drive the market, and by and large, they see things as rosy.

To get a much more accurate picture of how America views it's leadership (sic), you need to look at opinion polls, unemployment statistics, consumer spending research and the like. No one piece will give you an accurate view (pull polls fishing for a desired result, manipulation by government agencies, "lies, damned lies and statistics") but I think one can get a reasonably accurate picture if you layer everything together.

[TheWatcher]

11. If it weren't for direct manipulation by The Fed, with Infinite Printing

and Coupon Passes, led by the supporting cast clowns of The Big Money Center Banks, Hedge Funds, and Trading Desks, you'd have something really bad to worry about.

The Dow should be at 3000 right now, but it isn't allowed to to make any sort of meaningful correction or natural movement anymore.

Computer Program Trading accounts for 55-70% of daily market action. This isn't a market so much as it is a casino like farce.

This is what economic fascism looks like.

In the end, all they are doing is delaying the inevitable.

Besides, the Dow being artificially propped up this way certainly hasn't done much for the economic fate of the other 95% of this country. It's a dog and pony show of the highest order.

The LAST thing the Financial Markets give is a view of economic reality. They aren't even worth taking seriously anymore.

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. There are so many misunderstandings and so much paranoia in your post...

I can't begin to correct it. :hi:

[TheWatcher]

17. Which is the typical lame response I would expect from someone

like you.

If you care to refute anything that I said you are welcome to it instead of the bullshit insults.

Go ahead, correct everything I said. Have at it. But cool it with the insults, because it is a complete waste of time. I'm always amazed at the arrogance of those who think they know better than everyone else.

In fact this sounds like a response from someone who relies heavily on Financial Media like CNBC to base their opinions.

Accusing someone of being paranoid for not holding the same lemming mainstream view of the financial markets that you are able to grasp means nothing more than the you are likely one of the millions of small investors on the outside looking in, and have no clue about what goes on within the inside.

And that's fine.

But don't assume me to be paranoid because of that.

The average investor and American, like you, has absolutely no clue how bad things really are, and the Financial Media's happy talk soaked programming every day pretty much keeps that on course. It doesn't make me think ill of you or anyone else for it, but people are horribly informed. There is very little holding this economy right now, and the Dow is NOT a very good indicator of economic health. You ought to get out more.

Better yet, you should talk to unlawflcmbtnt (I think that's his screen name). Maybe your pollyanna view would be a little more balanced.

[TechBear_Seattle]

18. It is an insult to point out factual errors?

I work in a brokerage office and have for ten years. While I am a computer programmer and database manager, I have learned a few things. It would take a semester of basic economics and another semester of market dynamics to go through and refute, point by point, all of the misconceptions, misunderstandings and flat-out mistakes in your post. Sorry, I don't have the time to write such a curriculum out. If you are interested in learning, I'm sure there is a community college in your area which offers courses that can help.

[TheWatcher]

20. Again with the insults.

Like I said, if you wish to refute go ahead. And again you make assumptions about who I am, and how much knowledge I have. You work in a brokerage office. Congratulations. I am happy for you. I suppose that makes you the voice of God. I am SO ashamed. I know plenty of people who have worked in brokerage offices longer than you have, and some of them are more ignorant than Bush when it comes to the Markets.


This market has not traded in anything resembling reality since the Bottom of '03.

I am very happy you think the outlook is so bright for our economy. I guess I should just take your word and not worry, and go back to sleep.

"It would take a semester of basic economics and another semester of market dynamics to go through and refute, point by point, all of the misconceptions, misunderstandings and flat-out mistakes in your post. Sorry, I don't have the time to write such a curriculum out."

Typical cop-out response. A for the community college quip, that's just you acting like an asshole, not a guage of my knowlege on the subject.

As for me being interested in learning. Thanks but no thanks. I doubt I could learn much from you. Besides, your first attempt at dialog was condescending insult, and that pretty much lends that you are more interested in being a pompous ass than actually engaging in intelligent discussion.

Now, I have left you one more opening for the obligatory, insulting response so you can puff-up your chest and make yourself look like the clever, intellectual giant you so obviously are.

Don't worry though. Helicopter Ben will take care of you for the time being.

Until he doesn't.

Nice talking to you. :eyes:

[sendero]

21. Let me tell ya..

... put up or shut the fuck up. Nobody gives a rat fuck where you work, lots of delusional douchebags work for brokerages, which are nothing but wal marts for paper.

Really, if you have something, spill it, I've got time. I think you have jack, just another wing and a prayer dumbass who cannot face the reality that America's economy is in its death throes.

[BigYawn]

12. Whew....on a hunch I cashed out of the stock market early this year....

This economy is ready to implode. Just way too much
debt....by Federal govt, state govt's, cities,
individual home owners, consumers, and credit card
holders. As soon as the economy slows (now in 4th year
of expansion) down a little, which happens every 4 to 5 years usually, we are flumoxed.

[swag]

16. Still up 3.1% year-to-date, ex. dividends.

I'm happy for the dip, though, since I bought stocks today.

The markets have returned to a more normal level of volatility. It's less frightening to some of us than complacency was.

[Clarkie1]

19. A great buying opportunity is developing.

The stock market has had a mid-term bottom every mid-term off-presidential election year cycle since 1962, with gains of 32-160% after the mid-term, off-presidential election year bottom.

The bottoms occured in 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, and last but not least 2002.

2006 is up next.

Things are going to get better after Dems are in charge of congress. :-)