[LadyFenix]

Well.......I'm a long-term investor. I didn't sell during the Black Monday Crash of 1987, didn't sell during the dot com crash, either. Did cash out in 2008 just before the bottom fell out of the stock market. And, if I had toughed it out and stayed in the market thru that nose-dive, I would definitely be selling, now. It is no longer a market where a small investor can buy and hold. It's an electronic casino.

 

[SnakeRanch]

One thing I've noticed over the years, this is not the crash. It's the precursor, the markets will flop around maybe for months, a traders delight. The crash will be severe, a/d line 20 to 1 down, huge volume, and indexes probably down to dow 7,000 or so. It usually runs in a range, be aware of the range, right now the range is about 7,000-14,000. Don't get suckered back in too soon...

 

[Hick Industries]

I've got a feeling, that many people who have retirements,stocks etc. Who have been told over and over again. Stay in the markets, it's a long term thing. And thus, have been stitting on the fence, waiting to be slaughtered. Have had enough. After, the wild ride on thursday and friday. Now, the US downgrade, and the Euro ready to go over the cliff. I think your going to see many now running for the exits, to move there assets to a safer place.

I think you are right. Most people with stocks in their IRA or 401k are not market savvy and have little or no risk tolerance. I know I don't.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I used any serious market drop to pile more into stocks.

When the dot com bubble burst, I was age 40. I rode it out but did not invest more. In fact I started investing in farm land and PMs.

Now that. I'm 50, I don't want to take market risk any more. Particularly with this screwed up market. Most of my co workers are at similar ages and are asking me about pulling out of stocks and into safer investments.

 

[Trent Rock]

I've got a feeling, that many people who have retirements,stocks etc. Who have been told over and over again. Stay in the markets, it's a long term thing. And thus, have been stitting on the fence, waiting to be slaughtered. Have had enough. After, the wild ride on thursday and friday. Now, the US downgrade, and the Euro ready to go over the cliff. I think your going to see many now running for the exits, to move there assets to a safer place.

What does your think tank think?
Did you PAY to be part of the think tank and what are the requirements to be in the tank?
Just curious.....

 

[97guns]

I think you are right. Most people with stocks in their IRA or 401k are not market savvy and have little or no risk tolerance. I know I don't.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I used any serious market drop to pile more into stocks.

When the dot com bubble burst, I was age 40. I rode it out but did not invest more. In fact I started investing in farm land and PMs.

Now that. I'm 50, I don't want to take market risk any more. Particularly with this screwed up market. Most of my co workers are at similar ages and are asking me about pulling out of stocks and into less safer investments.

i hope your not recommending pm's they'll think your a total nutcase

 

[Hick Industries]

i hope your not recommending pm's they'll think your a total nutcase

Too late.

One friend raised me to "rabid dog status" in spring of 2008 because I suggest the stock market would crash.

Pretty good call for a dog.

 

[ShellbackBill]

I think your going to see many now running for the exits, to move there assets to a safer place.

I already did. I'm in a short term fixed income fund now. Have been for over a week and kicking myself for waiting as long as I did.

Problem that fixed income fund is probably heavy with US Bonds and Treasuries. I have no Idea what the down grade will do to those.

 

[RedWoods]

I'm retired and have a good amount of money in the stock market and I'm surely not ready to run for the exits. I own mainly oil & natural gas stocks that pay fat dividends and pay me very well and are very tax advantaged. Unless people quit using gas,diesel and heating their homes I'll keep making money at some rate. I have several income sources,no debt and plenty of land,timber,gold,silver US & Canadian cash and my entire life is not based in stocks.

I've taken risks to make money my whole life and heard many times that this is different and things will just get worse. It may be different this time, but I like the odds that everything will not fail and will adjust and recover. I have no doubts we are not going back to the phony paper fueled boom years of the recent past. Everyone will need to adjust to the new reality in order to prosper.

I wonder what those who need the income in and for retirement will do with the cash when they panic and cash out. What options will people go to cash,CD's that don't even make up for inflation? Cashing out and running for the exits short term may be a great move but I really doubt it long term.

Japan has huge debt,had their debt downgraded and they are still there,people are working and building things we all use and buy. Their world did not end and neither will ours.

If I see things I like to own go down to crazy cheap levels I wil be buying. Many thought I was plain stupid buying oil assets during the oil bust many years ago but they were very wrong.

If most stocks and other assets held by retirement plans and insurance companies fall to near nothing there will be severe problems for sure. The safe secure life of plenty we live now will be over and those who have been riding free will be doomed. We are well prepared for that long shot outcome if it happens,but also want to be well set if it doesn't.

Do what makes you feel more secure but don't make decisions that will do more damage in the long term than they prevent short term.

Red

 

[Sundsvall]

I already did. I'm in a short term fixed income fund now. Have been for over a week and kicking myself for waiting as long as I did.

Problem that fixed income fund is probably heavy with US Bonds and Treasuries. I have no Idea what the down grade will do to those.

The downgrade will increase the yield of the T-Bills and Bonds (drop the price).

A lot of pension funds are regulated by Law to hold only AAA Bonds. They all have to sell now.

S&P released their downgrade after trading hours on Friday. This means that come Monday morning in Japan, and Europe, the selling will begin.

By the time the markets open in the US, the bonds could be down a bit.

 

[Eyebone]

Friends, please don't wait for Monday morning to see whats what.

Did you know the Middle East trades on Saturday and Sunday?

isreal suspended trading three times today because of rapidly falling prices.

The Asian market opens at approximately 3:00 PST today.

Fore warned is fore armed.