Anybody investing in the stock market right now?

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by ILG

But how to start? I have had people give me advice, however, it's kind of like people talking about phonics methods when you don't know your ABC's. I need, like a little kids books to explain the ABC's first.

There are sites like CBOE and OIC that have free educational courses, especially when considering doing options.

Internet trading platforms like thinkorswim and others offer free advice for beginners in learning their system.

There are some good stock trading books that will teach you a strategy.

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

I looked at OSK. It does look good, but it may be temporary! There was heavy volume (big boys) to the down side on Jan 29th. It has gone up the last week, but on low volume. The chart looks like it's forming an upside-down flag, which means it may shoot to the downside soon!

What do you think?

osk, is a sleeper, they have received two billion in new govt contracts in the last few months, the negativism in the market is holding them down, my opinion, dt

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by ILG

I would definately be much more interested in individual investing. It just makes sense to me to cut out the middle man. This is about making money, not paying someone to make money from you! This makes simple sense. Buying now, when prices are low also makes sense. I think I have some intuitive thoughts about money. But I don't have the foggiest about stocks. My husband invested some money in penny stocks and followed a board about the stocks and the advice of a computer and still lost it all. He really tried.

Investing in penny stocks is like gambling! You might as well go to Las Vegas and have fun while you see your money vanish! People who invest in penny stocks are trying to hit a home run! Stay away!

You're on the right track with investing for yourself. The average historical increase on a good mutual fund is 8%. The average historical increase for an individual investor is 17%. Over a 15 year period, the difference could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. BTW, a GOOD investor can average 30%+ per year.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

There are sites like CBOE and OIC that have free educational courses, especially when considering doing options.

Internet trading platforms like thinkorswim and others offer free advice for beginners in learning their system.

There are some good stock trading books that will teach you a strategy.

Thanks. I think a few videos or courses would help me out. I have read a couple of books but they left my head swimming.

[CAD/JPY]

Dude, your crazy if you think a good investor can average 30% a year! A high risk investor can do it, but not a good investor.... imagine trading that way when you were two years from retirement?

Everyone who is interested in stock trading, etc. must read the book "Juggling with Dynamite". It will teach you a lot.

For those of you who have 401k's and manage them yourself, I would simply say that the best play right now is to buy the indexes. Buy the S&P, DOW, and NASDAQ. That will give you long exposure to the market, and you don't have to worry about being right with the stock picking. You can limit your exposure with exit points, I will leave that up to your risk strategy, but I suggest you write them down in a journal prior to putting on the trade.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

Investing in penny stocks is like gambling! You might as well go to Las Vegas and have fun while you see your money vanish! People who invest in penny stocks are trying to hit a home run! Stay away!

You're on the right track with investing for yourself. The average historical increase on a good mutual fund is 8%. The average historical increase for an individual investor is 17%. Over a 15 year period, the difference could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. BTW, a GOOD investor can average 30%+ per year.

See, we didn't know that about penny stocks!!

I would rather invest in real estate than do mutual funds. We have done fairly well with a few rentals that we sold in recent years. We are kind of sick of rentals though. But, at least we know about real estate. But, yes, I would love to fiddle with the market. I think I could do it. I have had people offer me some free advice but I feel I need more than a couple of hours of time. I need to know how to discuss the ABC's before I can move on to reading the newspaper!

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by DividedThigh

osk, is a sleeper, they have received two billion in new govt contracts in the last few months, the negativism in the market is holding them down, my opinion, dt

This was in today's news:

The defense contractor and another partner, Oshkosh Corp., lost a stake in a Pentagon contract worth up to $20 billion to develop a replacement vehicle for military trucks like the Humvee. The company and its teammate, along with another team, filed a protest with government auditors calling for a review of the Army's decision.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by CAD/JPY

Dude, your crazy if you think a good investor can average 30% a year! A high risk investor can do it, but not a good investor.... imagine trading that way when you were two years from retirement?

Everyone who is interested in stock trading, etc. must read the book "Juggling with Dynamite". It will teach you a lot.

For those of you who have 401k's and manage them yourself, I would simply say that the best play right now is to buy the indexes. Buy the S&P, DOW, and NASDAQ. That will give you long exposure to the market, and you don't have to worry about being right with the stock picking. You can limit your exposure with exit points, I will leave that up to your risk strategy, but I suggest you write them down in a journal prior to putting on the trade.

See, this sounds like so much gobbeldy gook to me.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by CAD/JPY

Dude, your crazy if you think a good investor can average 30% a year! A high risk investor can do it, but not a good investor.... imagine trading that way when you were two years from retirement?

Everyone who is interested in stock trading, etc. must read the book "Juggling with Dynamite". It will teach you a lot.

For those of you who have 401k's and manage them yourself, I would simply say that the best play right now is to buy the indexes. Buy the S&P, DOW, and NASDAQ. That will give you long exposure to the market, and you don't have to worry about being right with the stock picking. You can limit your exposure with exit points, I will leave that up to your risk strategy, but I suggest you write them down in a journal prior to putting on the trade.

Warran Buffet has averaged 30%! Of course, he is superman when it comes to investing!

I'm convince that one can average over 20% and maybe 30%+ using index options. This strategy can actually be safer than buying and selling stock! I know people who have done it successfully for several years with a business plan that takes emotion out of the equation.

I agree with buying indexes like SPY as an investment which is better than a mutual fund!

[CAD/JPY]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

Warran Buffet has averaged 30%! Of course, he is superman when it comes to investing!

I'm convince that one can average over 20% and maybe 30%+ using index options. This strategy can actually be safer than buying and selling stock! I know people who have done it successfully for several years with a business plan that takes emotion out of the equation.

I won't dispute you can do that with options. Sure, no problem. You have the advantage of leverage. Spreads, straddles, Kondors, etc also can let you hedge your plays. Or go delta neutral and sell theta.

BUT the average investor can't do this in their 401K.....