Should we take a breather and stop obsessing over Apple so much?
Apple’s loyal fans may never admit it, but the attention paid to Apple exceeds the company’s actual importance – and that’s saying something, because Apple remains a huge bellwether firm. Yet Apple’s fortunes no longer reflect the direction of the overall stock market or the broader economy. The S&P 500 stock index, for instance, has risen by a handsome 11 percent so far this year, with no help from Apple. A year or two ago, when Apple’s stock was soaring, commentators frequently noted that the movement in Apple’s stock sometimes seemed to drive the entire market up or down. But with Apple’s stock down more than 40 percent from its all-time high last September, that is clearly no longer the case.— Enough About Apple, Already
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding ETFs: If exchange-traded funds sound like exotic investments, here’s what you need to know
Like mutual funds, ETFs allow investors to spread risk over a series of investments, as opposed to one or two stocks or bonds. This lessens exposure to loss and provides peace of mind for investors who are weary of dramatic swings in the market.
“Most people confuse investing with gambling. Gamblers try to “beat the house.” Investors want to be “the house.”
The Smarter Mutual Fund Investor: Are You Gambling or Investing?
The Earthquake’s Hidden Financial Lessons
Selling stocks in a falling market in favor of Treasurys, however, is a lot like leaving a building during an earthquake. You may feel safer, but you’ve likely put your finances in grave danger by liquidating stock positions at a time when equities are relatively cheap, and purchasing Treasurys that are relatively expensive. When it comes to buying just about anything other than stocks, we look for bargains. But when stocks go on sale, we head for the exit.
“The fear attribute of gold is off the table. Gold was becoming all things to all investors and it got overdone. And I saw rampant speculation.”
Douglas Coté, senior market strategist at ING Investment Management — What’s Next for Gold?
