The Official Investment Thread

[Brent]

I have an ETrade account for stock and a Roth IRA. I've invested into AROIX: Summary for AMERICAN CENTURY LIVESTRONG 204 - Yahoo! Finance for the Roth IRA and plan to invest the $5k maximum this year into that for the IRA.

I haven't purchased any stocks yet, still saving up money to play with in that area. I'm looking at INET: Summary for INTERNET BRANDS, INC - Yahoo! Finance but I won't buy that until it dips below $7.

What stocks do you guys have? I was thinking AMD would be a good buy but they have yet to do anything that makes me optimistic that they be able to save themselves from the terrible ass whooping Intel/nVidia are giving them.

[bbunt302]

I have quite a bit of stock in my company (LLL). It has done nothing but steadily go up since I've been buying. Up to 110.34 right now.

[SpectorV]

Some of the tips in buying stocks is dont look at the goods of the stock, look at the bads (people loose all the time when they say it looked so good... but they didnt look at the negatives)

Keep 10-15% cash on hand do NOT invest all of your cash, thats just a stupid mistake. You keep it for when the market goes down a good bit then you invest then, not otherwise.

Be happy when stocks go down, you can buy cheaper

Dont plan to buy/sell/buy again/sell again. Plan to buy for the long haul.

My company isnt public so I dont have the ability to buy any stocks, once I max out my 401k (which should be everyones main priority) for company match I plan to go into an IRA (not sure on roth or traditional) then work on getting into the stock market.

You can try to work your way up to being able to roll CDs over. Have them setup to expire every X months, that works pretty good as its a safe way to make a meh return (not great but better than sitting in savings).

[Seph]

I would invest in Intel and HP, I know Intel is dominating the processor market with fast efficient processors, and HP is dominating the server market because they work together with Intel to put out really efficient servers all over the world. HP actually gained I think 1.3% more than last year.. which is surprising because of how bad the economy is, but they did great in their business department.

Not only that but they canned their cameras, so even less money wasted on a product that wasn't selling and more money to go else where.

If I had the money I'd invest in

Intel
HP
Apple (lets face it..)
Samsung (Tvs - monitors)
Sony (BluRay)

Probably a few Japanese car companies too.

[Brent]

Apple is too expensive and too risky imo. I'd rather invest in American companies as well so no Samsung or Sony.

[Seph]

I dunno how Apple would be too risky, they are making a killing in the market. A lot of companies like HP, Sony, Gateway, and anything else that makes computers are hurting and scared of them. They are all relying on Microsoft to magically fix everything, but with Vista's bad rap it's going to take quite awhile for people to get over it.

[Brent]

They have also had a few products flop lately.

[Seph]

You hardly hear that happen though, and every time they come out with a new product their stock goes up because of the new technology they add to it.

[ggbiw]

This is a topic that I've done well in. I buy and sell on the "trend" whether it be up or down. You can do this with mutual funds that have a basket of stocks that spreads your exposure. I recommend this to beginners. Once knowledgeable about trading I advise a self directed IRA that you can buy or sell individual stocks that you have followed a while and see how they react to news. It is very hard to hit an absolute top or bottom for that matter. I am 100% cash as I believe the market is far overvalued with the problems it is facing and will be going down for at least 6 months. It could get ugly as the same problems that caused the Great Depression are present now. When I think the market is at a bottom I step in with 25% of my cash. If it goes down the next day, another 33%,again down 50% and last 100%. This gives you the average of four declines. The opposite when I feel we are close to a high. I used this trading pattern when exiting when the Dow was close to it's highs. I didn't get the absolute high but I was close. Now the trend is down. My feeling? I see Dow 10,000. It could be much lower. When everybody tries to exit at the same time, usually a drop of at least 500 points I step in with 25%. If it falls another 500 in panic mode I step in with 33%, another drop 50% then 100%. Four equal trades up or down. I've done well with this strategy. I see a chance to make a killing in this next down turn. If you get in now you will suffer big time loss. That is my opinion but I have done well enough in the market to retire from a 6 figure job at 57. 100% cash now. I will post when I step back in. As far as which stocks? I know them as well and will post what I buy. Apple will suffer greatly in a recession as it is discretionary spending , a luxury so to speak. We are in very unusaual times concerning the banking and real estate sector. I do ask the Lord to Guide me in all that I do. That is the most important financial advice I can give you as It states in the Bible that "The LORD GIVETH and He Taketh Away" It is he that gives wisdom in anything you ask. Of this I am certain as he has blessed me. Everything I own is because of Jesus. To God be the Glory . GGBIW

[timpryor]

4% of my check goes into 401k since that is what my company matches its a 2055 fund its been doing well lately. and i also throw 10% of my check into roth IRA and have been doing that for 3 years. i don't play the market.

[ggbiw]

Quote: Originally Posted by timpryor 4% of my check goes into 401k since that is what my company matches its a 2055 fund its been doing well lately. and i also throw 10% of my check into roth IRA and have been doing that for 3 years. i don't play the market.

What is your Ira invested in? Anytime you get the benifit of your company matching funds , it is a good deal unless it is in there stock only. Anyone remember Enron? If your Ira is with interest bearing accounts at this time it is good. By starting young will get to retire when others still have to work. The stock market is on shakey ground right now. I have done well but that's not to say I could lose it as well. 100% cash now in an interest bearing account. I feel the market is way over valued with the problems it is facing. Keep paying yourself every pay day. You won't regret it. GGBIW
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ultimate-sell-signal-part-ii/story.aspx?guid={A2FE5E59-337F-4F6C-A974-470D6FD8B553}&siteid=yahoomy

[ggbiw]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent I have an ETrade account for stock and a Roth IRA. I've invested into AROIX: Summary for AMERICAN CENTURY LIVESTRONG 204 - Yahoo! Finance for the Roth IRA and plan to invest the $5k maximum this year into that for the IRA. I haven't purchased any stocks yet, still saving up money to play with in that area. I'm looking at INET: Summary for INTERNET BRANDS, INC - Yahoo! Finance but I won't buy that until it dips below $7. What stocks do you guys have? I was thinking AMD would be a good buy but they have yet to do anything that makes me optimistic that they be able to save themselves from the terrible ass whooping Intel/nVidia are giving them.

Brent, have you considered buying mutual fund shares rather than stocks? I don't know how much expierence you have but it is just a suggestion. There are mutual funds that follow the market to a tee. I believe the trend is down right now, that being said, I have done well with mid cap funds and small cap funds. By trading in mutuals you spread your risk. Ira's went up to 6000 in 2008. I have 3 different self directed Ira's. All with Scottrade. GGBIW

[ggbiw]

Anyone watching the Market tank? The trend is down for a while. GGBIW

[Brent]

Yep, I've been itching to buy INET but it keeps going down every day. Impossible to predict when a good time to buy is.

[ggbiw]

When you see outright panic with everyone trying to get out at the same time and a drop of at least 500 to 1000 points I will jump in with 6 figures. I will buy Citi Bank, Countrywide, JP Morgan Chase and Washinton Mutual, big time for pennies on the dollar. GGBIW

[ggbiw]

Quote: Originally Posted by Seph I would invest in Intel and HP, I know Intel is dominating the processor market with fast efficient processors, and HP is dominating the server market because they work together with Intel to put out really efficient servers all over the world. HP actually gained I think 1.3% more than last year.. which is surprising because of how bad the economy is, but they did great in their business department. Not only that but they canned their cameras, so even less money wasted on a product that wasn't selling and more money to go else where. If I had the money I'd invest in Intel HP Apple (lets face it..) Samsung (Tvs - monitors) Sony (BluRay) Probably a few Japanese car companies too.

I read an article about HP and it said they were doing gangbusters selling high end laptops. The have one that is High definition with a 20" screen that is jam packed with options. Pricey but they are selling big time. I may get some of HP but I believe we are heading for a severe slowdown. I will wait a while until the uncertainty clears. GGBIW

[ggbiw]

'Dr. Doom' has dollar on death watch, global farmland healthy - MarketWatch

Scary article. GGBIW

[Brent]

Everyone should have voted for Ron Paul instead.

[ggbiw]

The correction that is coming will happen no matter who is in office. GGBIW

[wiarumas]

correction will come from the federal reserve. id expect a short recession (maybe not even) before things pick up again. great time to buy low (both stock and housing). our economy will rebound.

[bbunt302]

Quote: Originally Posted by ggbiw The correction that is coming will happen no matter who is in office. GGBIW

Yes, because God is calling his Elect.

[ggbiw]

Quote: Originally Posted by bbunt302 Yes, because God is calling his Elect.

Your finally catching on. I knew there was hope for you. GGBIW