Denial Survey, Market Meltdown Psychological Ploys

[Jingthing]

I am one of those in denial people who only looks at my brokerage/retirment accounts when I know the markets are up or I have to do some kind of transaction. Lately, I have not checked the balances in quite a long time. How about you?

[PeaceBlondie]

Shit, man. I just looked at mine. Both of my socially responsible funds are in the toilet. But compared to the benchmark of the S&P500, they are just doing worse than average. Since 1/1/2007, the benchmark is off by 26%, DSEFX is off by 30%, and DEUFX by a staggering 49%. What's a small investor to do with his 401(k) funds this far from home? I ain't got no stinkin' broker. But Domini has other funds - Asian, money market, insured CD's, etc. Trouble is, these funds are definitely long term, for when I am really old, not a mere youngster as I am now. I can ride out the storm for another six to ten years. Shall I wait?

[lannarebirth]

Maybe you could hedge your Socially Responsible funds with some casino, tobacco and arms supplier stocks. Just kidding. I have no idea. I wish you good fortune.

[Naam]

I am one of those in denial people who only looks at my brokerage/retirment accounts when I know the markets are up or I have to do some kind of transaction. Lately, I have not checked the balances in quite a long time. How about you?

one of the four screens i work with shows my portfolio live 24 hours a day. don't know though how often i look at it daily. perhaps a hundred times?

[Naam]

Shit, man. I just looked at mine. Both of my socially responsible funds are in the toilet. But compared to the benchmark of the S&P500, they are just doing worse than average. Since 1/1/2007, the benchmark is off by 26%, DSEFX is off by 30%, and DEUFX by a staggering 49%. What's a small investor to do with his 401(k) funds this far from home? I ain't got no stinkin' broker. But Domini has other funds - Asian, money market, insured CD's, etc. Trouble is, these funds are definitely long term, for when I am really old, not a mere youngster as I am now. I can ride out the storm for another six to ten years. Shall I wait?

i can only tell you what he should not do. a small investor should not gamble. neither in a casino, nor by giving his money to a fund manager who gambles with the money by buying equities and demands his fees no matter whether profit or loss.

[Tim207]

I am one of those in denial people who only looks at my brokerage/retirment accounts when I know the markets are up or I have to do some kind of transaction. Lately, I have not checked the balances in quite a long time. How about you?

I took a pretty big hit but I see this as a great buying opportunity for quality companies that got dragged down in the mad dash for the door. As a matter of fact, I just monday put a nice chunk of money into a stable dividend stock that is beaten down so bad it is paying almost 15% in dividends at current price and I expect it has a good chance to double in price within the next 18 months. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, the cash flow that pays for the dividend is secure for the next 15 to 20 years and 15% isn't a bad return.

If you are not comfortable buying then there is no reason to look, it is only going to upset you. If you don't need the money now then there is no sense worrying. Until you need the money the ups and downs are irrelevant.

[flying]

You know I am self employed & do not have a 401k per se'

But back a few years ago I did some project management for a company.

They had a 50 cent on the dollar match so I put a little in for the 3 or so years I was there.

Never thought anything of it since I only put in about 10k.

Also I just put it into 100% gov securities as I was not interested in gambling. I figured I was 50% ahead already

with the 50 cents per dollar match by the company.

After seeing this post I took a look. They seem to be doing fine.

Of course you wont get rich but it is still higher than what I put in by a couple grand.

Remember this was only a few years ago.

Edited October 8, 2008 by flying

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

I lost confidence in rookie Bernanke in July 2007. He kept raising interest rates from his first day in office (January '07) through May 2007. The hike in May killed the stock market and economy. In July, he was claiming that an interest rate of 2.7% was too high, and that further rate hikes may be necessary. The housing market and industry had already been in a two-year recession at that point.

I saw the writing on the wall, and that the dollar was going to take a big hit. I sold my entire stock portfolio in July and put 1/2 my savings in the GLD ETF and the other half in fixed income investments. The credit crunch broke in August 2007. The stock market has been generally down since that time. I guess I was just lucky.

[siddv]

I took a pretty big hit but I see this as a great buying opportunity for quality companies that got dragged down in the mad dash for the door. As a matter of fact, I just monday put a nice chunk of money into a stable dividend stock that is beaten down so bad it is paying almost 15% in dividends at current price and I expect it has a good chance to double in price within the next 18 months. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, the cash flow that pays for the dividend is secure for the next 15 to 20 years and 15% isn't a bad return.

Give me the ticker symbol on that one!!!! I'm down a good $100,000 in 3 weeks!!!!!!! I have not sold and I own good companies and am well diversified. EVERYTHING however is getting killed. Nothing is safe. Like I said if you have a guaranteed 15% return please do tell. Unless your post is complete bullshit

[PeaceBlondie]

Maybe you could hedge your Socially Responsible funds with some casino, tobacco and arms supplier stocks. Just kidding. I have no idea. I wish you good fortune.

I could read Soldier of Fortune magazine and send my resume to some mercenary army in a war-torn African country......

[Tim207]

I took a pretty big hit but I see this as a great buying opportunity for quality companies that got dragged down in the mad dash for the door. As a matter of fact, I just monday put a nice chunk of money into a stable dividend stock that is beaten down so bad it is paying almost 15% in dividends at current price and I expect it has a good chance to double in price within the next 18 months. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, the cash flow that pays for the dividend is secure for the next 15 to 20 years and 15% isn't a bad return.

Give me the ticker symbol on that one!!!! I'm down a good $100,000 in 3 weeks!!!!!!! I have not sold and I own good companies and am well diversified. EVERYTHING however is getting killed. Nothing is safe. Like I said if you have a guaranteed 15% return please do tell. Unless your post is complete bullshit

LOL, Of course I can't tell you what it is. Oh wait a second, I am not one of those guys. Take a look for yourself, but don't buy on my say so. I am no expert but I have been following this stock for a few years and was delighted to buy more at these prices. Do your own research.

Here is the main page at yahoo. Mid september the dividend was increased and isn't reflected on the page.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=SFL

An article from October 1 discussing the industry and makes a specific mention of SFL and their buisness model.

http://biz.yahoo.com/twst/081001/zgz803.html?.v=1

Their only downside is some exposure to interest rate fluctuations and the need for financing on future aquisitions in order to continue growth. The current dividend is covered pretty well by stable income. I think it was under valued before this mess, now it is getting ridiculous.

Edited October 8, 2008 by Tim207

[lannarebirth]

Shit, man. I just looked at mine. Both of my socially responsible funds are in the toilet. But compared to the benchmark of the S&P500, they are just doing worse than average. Since 1/1/2007, the benchmark is off by 26%, DSEFX is off by 30%, and DEUFX by a staggering 49%. What's a small investor to do with his 401(k) funds this far from home? I ain't got no stinkin' broker. But Domini has other funds - Asian, money market, insured CD's, etc. Trouble is, these funds are definitely long term, for when I am really old, not a mere youngster as I am now. I can ride out the storm for another six to ten years. Shall I wait?

i can only tell you what he should not do. a small investor should not gamble. neither in a casino, nor by giving his money to a fund manager who gambles with the money by buying equities and demands his fees no matter whether profit or loss.

For the past 20 years this has been the central theme of my response to anyone who asked my opinion about their investments. Take responsibility for your assets, and if you can't, deploy them in a manner whereby you feel more safe.

Edited October 8, 2008 by lannarebirth

[siamamerican]

I look at my 401k account quite regularly, but not hourly like my other investments. In March (I think) of this year I was 90% equities before switching to 90% bonds. Most people I talk to have lost a lot and just recently started pulling out of stocks and putting their money into fixed income accounts.

IMO, if you are still in equities, stick with them. We will probably be in bear market for some time, but picking the bottom is beyond my expertise. I'm contemplating putting my money back into stocks. Haven't yet determined if the potential long term rewards, are worth the risk and sleepless nights.

[lordofdelusion]

You could have added another choice. "Yes, I look at them but with less frequency and a great deal more fear and panic."

Even though I know I am not in immediate danger, I am finding it hard to buy anything! I just can't open my wallet for fear that I will be broke next week. I have got to stop watching and reading the news!! And why am I talking to you people??

[PCA]

http://finviz.com/screener.ashx?v=111&...mp;o=pe&r=1

a good source to look for value stocks globally which got/will get beaten down unjustified. You can average into them in case you have money left .

[wasabi]

I have been mostly in US treasuries for about 3 months and am now in plain old cash. Prior to that I was in equities. I lost 10% of my portfolio which is my personal limit so went to cash for a few months. I am now seeing some incredible values. That doesn't mean the market won't lose another 50% only that i'm certain buying companies like GS, MSFT, IBM and GE will be a profitable thing to do if you can hold at least 5 years. I am a fan of technical analysis too but that is totally out the window right now. Even with TA you have to respect the overall trend which is undeniably down. I have no idea when "The bottom" will come but I have a feeling it has not come yet.

[Naam]

Maybe you could hedge your Socially Responsible funds with some casino, tobacco and arms supplier stocks. Just kidding. I have no idea. I wish you good fortune.

I could read Soldier of Fortune magazine and send my resume to some mercenary army in a war-torn African country......

with all due respect PB. i have strong doubts that you are able to change spring and barrel of a light machine gun in less than 15 seconds. the latter is mandatory to be a successful and accepted mercenary nowadays.

[Jingthing]

Well, I still haven't looked. I plan to put that off as long as possible. I have to pull it up sometime next year to do my taxes.

[PeaceBlondie]

Maybe you could hedge your Socially Responsible funds with some casino, tobacco and arms supplier stocks. Just kidding. I have no idea. I wish you good fortune.

I could read Soldier of Fortune magazine and send my resume to some mercenary army in a war-torn African country......

with all due respect PB. i have strong doubts that you are able to change spring and barrel of a light machine gun in less than 15 seconds. the latter is mandatory to be a successful and accepted mercenary nowadays.

What's that you say, my dear Klingon friend? Do you mean to say that those sissy mercenaries hide behind firearms? What wusses. My tiny lady friends in X'oyep, in Chiapas, Mexico - shorter than your typical Thai women - confronted the fully armed soldiers of the Mexican army armed only with their bare hands and God's spirit, and pushed those big, strong men out of the village, permanently. Years later, the commanding officer asked how to get back into the village. I told him he would first have to lay down his weapons. He did not have the courage to do that. Well, if the mercenaries have to carry weapons, I guess I will just have to let Amy Domini at the Domini fund manage my little savings for me.

[Jingthing]

This is kind of interesting. Today's Washington Post says 1 in 3 Americans have not looked at their stock statements since the crash, exactly reflecting the ratio on this little thaivisa poll. The article also says 1 in 6 are now experiencing extreme economic pain.

Yet even in the wake of last week's historic sell-off on Wall Street, many Americans who own stocks or stock funds -- about three in 10 -- have not looked at their holdings to assess the damage.