great site/service if you can trade in your 401k

[RedDogC130]

Obviously seeking alpha is a well know investment site. Go look up Jason Bond there and read some Of his articles. The guy is legit.

 

[PCL_128]

I love it when people think they can beat the market over the long run.

Plenty of people beat the market over the long run. They just don't do it by following con-men like this guy. They do it by mimicking brilliant investors who make their money investing, not by selling their picks to others. Like I said, if you want to make real money in stocks, then start by reading Security Analysis by Graham & Dodd. That's real investing, not gimmicks. It works just as well today as it did 60 years ago.

 

[RedDogC130]

Plenty of people beat the market over the long run. They just don't do it by following con-men like this guy. They do it by mimicking brilliant investors who make their money investing, not by selling their picks to others. Like I said, if you want to make real money in stocks, then start by reading Security Analysis by Graham & Dodd. That's real investing, not gimmicks. It works just as well today as it did 60 years ago.

How is he a con when he backs up what he does? I have seen it. Does that make me a con. If you are on the SWA side you know who I am.

Let me ask you, how is his service any different from any financial advisor or newsletter such as 401k maximizer or the like? Please do tell.

 

[PCL_128]

How is he a con when he backs up what he does? I have seen it. Does that make me a con. If you are on the SWA side you know who I am.

Nope, not on the SWA side, and never will be. So I don't know who you are, but it doesn't really matter, because I'm not trying to disparage your character. I just think you're falling for this guy's act. He's the bad guy, not you.

Let me ask you, how is his service any different from any financial advisor or newsletter such as 401k maximizer or the like? Please do tell.

Frankly, I think pretty much all of them are useless scams. For the average investor who doesn't want to spend much time doing his own research, ETFs and index funds are the way to go. For people who are willing to put the time into it, they should be studying fundamentals to reach the maximum return. Trading may seem more "fun," but it only leads to reduced returns.

 

[RedDogC130]

Nope, not on the SWA side, and never will be. So I don't know who you are, but it doesn't really matter, because I'm not trying to disparage your character. I just think you're falling for this guy's act. He's the bad guy, not you.



Frankly, I think pretty much all of them are useless scams. For the average investor who doesn't want to spend much time doing his own research, ETFs and index funds are the way to go. For people who are willing to put the time into it, they should be studying fundamentals to reach the maximum return. Trading may seem more "fun," but it only leads to reduced returns.

I guess that makes the world go round but I guess that would make you just as bad spouting off about things you don't know about. How can you say it is a con when you have never placed a trade off it or done the research about it. Pot meet kettle.

 

[PCL_128]

How can you say it is a con when you have never placed a trade off it or done the research about it.

Have you ever read "The Intelligent Investor," or "Security Analysis?" If not, I would encourage you to do so. You'll find the folly in the idea that you can beat the market long-term by high-frequency trading rather than focusing on fundamentals.

No one has ever become a billionaire by being an active trader. But the Forbes list is filled with people who become billionaires by following the tried and true method of fundamentals analysis. Food for thought.

 

[RedDogC130]

Ok we are beating a dead horse. You have your way I have mine. There are many ways to make money but the ways of 30 years ago can't be applied today. Ever look at a chart of the S&P 500 on a 30 year chart. Please tell me you don't see an interesting pattern. So where we are right now after looking at it tell me where u would place your bet. Also speaking of fundamentals. Do u feel our country's economy fundamentals and the fundamentals of Europe dictate a higher stock market. Minus the fed intervention? Please don't assume I have no idea what I am speaking about.

1 more question. Which will correct te correlation first. The EUR/JPY up or the S&P down. What is your thought on that oh wise investor. I think it is an easy question and answer. I look forward to you view PCL

 

[amF16]

Took you advice and went to www.investimonials.com to read about Jason Bond. This well researched review should make you think twice about puting your name to this site. I hope you take the time to read it


Ok, here goes. Ive been a member of Jason Bond Picks now for 3 months and have had my shares of ups and downs as most everyone in the stock market does.

This last month has been a bit troubling and there has been quite a rumble stirring in the service about many picks that go bad. At one point we have a member that follows the day trade alerts for the most part and he is losing on 17 out of 18 picks. It happens now and again and it is what it is.

What bothers me though is that another member started to get a bit suspicious about his picks and started investigating the overall service as a whole, and what he came up with is quite amazing.

As of tonight I have been banned from the service for posting what another client had done research on and I wish to share this with the entire population, so that fewer people get fleeced.

I got threatened with a lawsuit for posting this for defamation, but seeing as how the information I will provide is legitiment, he has no grounds to sue.

Here goes..this is not my research and I do not take credit for it, but here is what has been learned.

In August, 2012, I received another email from Jason Bond encouraging his members to go very long on Vringo, Inc. (VRNG) with more passion than any objective trader should (ref link #1). I decided to peal back the curtain.

I offer absolutely no opinion here, I am strictly presenting information readily available to the general public.

Reference links are at the bottom of this text.

Checked GoDaddy.com to identify the registered owner of JasonBondPicks.com, it is Beacon Equity (ref link #2).

Beacon Equity; Jeff Bishop, [email protected]
4828 S. Broadway #182 Tyler, Texas 75703

Beacon Equity is wholly owned by BlueWave Advisors (ref link #14).

Until recently the disclaimer page on Jason Bond Picks site (ref link #3) stated it is wholly owned by BlueWave Advisors (ref link #4). However, it has been changed to a shell company called Patriot Publishing. The terms and conditions page of the site (ref link # 5) lists Patriot Publishing’s address as:

Patriot Publishing, LLC
1910 ESE Loop 323 #168 Tyler, TX 75701

That physical address is simply a UPS Store (ref link #6) which provides mail boxes (ref link #7). Also note that Tyler, Texas home of BlueWave, Beacon Equity and Patriot Publishing, has a population of just 98,500 people.

The same people own both BlueWave and Patriot Publishing, the relationship between all these companies can be seen here: http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Tyler/nic-lesmeister/68432953.aspx

PumpAndDumps.com lists VRNG as the subject of a paid promotion by Beacon Equity (ref link #8). In a posting on their site Beacon Equity confirms it was compensated ten thousand dollars to promote VRNG stock (ref link #9).

In another post on Beacon Equity’s site promoting LQMT, they disclose having front loaded LQMT with this statement “BeaconEquity.com is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlueWave Advisors, LLC. A principle of BWA has purchased one hundred thousand shares of LQMT in the open market and intends to sell them immediately following this email alert” (ref link #10.

Another site posted an article identifying a partial list of sites owned by BlueWave Advisors, including JasonBondPicks.com and TopStockPicks.com (ref link #11).

Another site owned by BlueWave is crownestockpicks.com. They’re so cookie cutter it even has the same color scheme as JasonBondPicks.com.

The renowned or infamous (depending on your point of view), Timothy Sykes expressed a rather strong opinion regarding Beacon Equity aka BlueWave on his site (ref link #12).

Here’s an article from the Vancouver Sun (ref link #13).

Here are some other sites Beacon Equity owns:
http://www.dailystocktip.com/contact-us
http://investorsoup.com/

Reference Links:
1. http://www.jasonbondpicks.com/news/vrng-stock-to-jump-1000-is-altucher-right/
2. http://who.godaddy.com/whois.aspx?domain=jasonbondpicks.com&prog_id=GoDaddy
3. http://www.jasonbondpicks.com/disclaimer/
4. http://allpennystockshere.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-trade-alert-i-just-bought-50000.html
5. https://www.jasonbondpicks.com/terms-conditions/
6. http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/2104/
7. http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/2104/mailboxes.htm
8. http://www.pumpsanddumps.com/2011/10/thursday-october-6-2011-todays-pumps.html
9. http://www.beaconequity.com/todays-focus-stock-vrng-2011-10-06/
10. http://www.beaconequity.com/with-ap...rner-lqmt-has-bounced-back-strong-2011-12-27/
11. http://www.goodetrades.com/2012/03/the-websites-of-stock-promoter-blue-wave-advisors/
12. http://www.timothysykes.com/2010/01...ick-dropped-50-how-will-their-new-one-do-lol/
13. http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun...l?id=2449c7ee-6051-4cfb-8691-d43cc094cac8&p=1
14. http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Tyler/nic-lesmeister/68432953.aspx


As you can see with links to go along with proof, Jason Bond Picks company, parent company , shell company, whatever you want to call it has been pumping VRNG for some time and in fact has also been compensated for it. This same Jason Bonds Picks company is also responsible for frontloading LQMT, of which he proudly trumpets his victory on and dumped shares upon the alert.

What he did was not illegal, but it calls into question the integrity of the service.

 

[PCL_128]

Ok we are beating a dead horse. You have your way I have mine.

Yes, but my way is free, and your way involves giving some dude nearly $1,200 per year to give you "picks," like some sports betting tout. Not to mention that every study clearly shows that the traders always trail the investors, and growth chasers always trail value investors.

There are many ways to make money but the ways of 30 years ago can't be applied today.

The same nonsense that the touts have been saying for decades. And they keep getting proven wrong. Jim Cramer is a perfect example. Just over a year ago he was talking about how Warren Buffett is a has-been, his long-held value investor principals an archaic thing of the past. At the time, BRK.A shares were trading at $120k. Today they're trading at $156k, their all-time high, and Cramer is looking like the dimwitted fool that he is. But he has his followers, just like this Bond guy has his, and Buffett just quietly goes about making money the old fashioned way, leaving them all in the dust.

Ever look at a chart of the S&P 500 on a 30 year chart. Please tell me you don't see an interesting pattern.

The only pattern I see is that value investors continue to make money regardless of what the S&P chart shows.

Also speaking of fundamentals. Do u feel our country's economy fundamentals and the fundamentals of Europe dictate a higher stock market. Minus the fed intervention?

There's a difference between market fundamentals and economic fundamentals. The market fundamentals are strong right now, while economic fundamentals are not. Companies are generating strong earnings, revenue, and cash flow growth despite the poor macroeconomic fundamentals. But the market is usually a leading indicator, so economic fundamentals will soon follow.

 

[RedDogC130]

I have read that one on there. All I can say is I have made great trades using his service. I am highly involved in technical analysis and his video lessons were refreshing even for me. If someone doesn't have a clue on what they are doing, they will lose in anything they do.

I have had a great experience with it and feel it is worth my time and $. That is all I can say. If every trade was a winner I would be suspicious. They are 75-80% is not too shabby. If you set stops, pay attention and focus, this can be great. This is not me just promoting him for sake of it. I am using it and All I can say is it works for me and no reason it shouldn't work for anyone if they have the most basic idea of technical analysis and how to trade.

Like I said the videos alone pay for itself if one makes one better trade off it.

There are bashers of every business, could even be competitors. He has the busiest financial live chat room I have ever used like cobra market view , trade to win. Etc.

I know he has free access days to the chat room which I will post if any pop up soon. Had one just last Friday. There is a 500 person limit to the room and it fills up daily. He gets on the mic and answers questions live during the day in the chat room.

Not much else I can say.

 

[amF16]

After looking into who owns Jason Bond and you still aren't concerned about backing this company, all I can say good luck and I hope this boiler room operation works out for you.

 

[RedDogC130]

I guess enough said. Time to get back to my airline is more f up than yours. Thanks for posting your views and thoughts.

 

[RedDogC130]

here are the 2013 trades. I tried to get the format correct but you can figure it out.


Stock Trade Type Shares Buy Date Buy Price $ In Sell Date Sell Price $ Out P/L Per Share P/L Total % Win/Loss Days
HL Long stock 10000 28-Dec $5.76 $57,600 2-Jan $6.07 $60,700 $0.31 $3,100 5.38% 5
ZNGA Long stock 30000 7-Dec $2.36 $70,800 2-Jan $2.37 $71,100 $0.01 $300 0.42% 26
ZAGG Long stock 12500 18-Dec $7.54 $94,250 3-Jan $7.45 $93,125 -$0.09 -$1,125 -1.19% 16
SKUL Long stock 5000 4-Jan $6.84 $34,200 4-Jan $6.87 $34,350 $0.03 $150 0.44% 0
ACI Short stock 7,500 4-Jan $7.67 $57,525 3-Jan $7.22 $54,150 -$0.45 -$3,375 -5.87% 1
GEVO Long stock 20000 4-Jan $1.88 $37,600 7-Jan $2.34 $46,800 $0.46 $9,200 24.47% 3
ACI Short stock 15000 8-Jan $7.20 $108,000 4-Jan $7.56 $113,400 $0.36 $5,400 5.00% 4
KWK Long stock 20000 8-Jan $2.93 $58,600 9-Jan $2.95 $59,000 $0.02 $400 0.68% 1
NUGT Long stock 10000 9-Jan $9.70 $97,000 10-Jan $10.20 $102,000 $0.50 $5,000 5.15% 1
ZNGA Long stock 30000 11-Jan $2.50 $75,000 14-Jan $2.67 $80,100 $0.17 $5,100 6.80% 3
MWW Long stock 10000 10-Jan $5.98 $59,800 14-Jan $5.93 $59,300 -$0.05 -$500 -0.84% 4
NSU Long stock 10200 10-Jan $4.47 $45,594 15-Jan $4.54 $46,308 $0.07 $714 1.57% 5
MCP Long stock 5000 14-Jan $8.68 $43,400 15-Jan $8.70 $43,500 $0.02 $100 0.23% 1
GRPN Long stock 20000 15-Jan $5.13 $102,600 17-Jan $5.09 $101,800 -$0.04 -$800 -0.78% 2
ZNGA Long stock 30000 15-Jan $2.57 $77,100 17-Jan $2.47 $74,100 -$0.10 -$3,000 -3.89% 2
GPL Long stock 30000 22-Jan $1.59 $47,700 24-Jan $1.60 $48,000 $0.01 $300 0.63% 2
NUGT Long stock 10000 23-Jan $9.96 $99,600 24-Jan $8.82 $88,200 -$1.14 -$11,400 -11.45% 1
OCZ Long stock 20000 25-Jan $2.10 $42,000 25-Jan $2.28 $45,600 $0.18 $3,600 8.57% 0
PRCP Short stock 5000 28-Jan $7.83 $39,150 25-Jan $8.85 $44,250 $1.02 $5,100 13.03% 4
LEAP Long stock 10000 26-Jan $5.80 $58,000 26-Jan $5.79 $57,900 -$0.01 -$100 -0.17% 0
GEVO Long stock 20000 29-Jan $2.08 $41,600 30-Jan $2.42 $48,400 $0.34 $6,800 16.35% 1
ACI Long stock 10000 29-Jan $7.26 $72,600 30-Jan $7.40 $74,000 $0.14 $1,400 1.93% 1
NUGT Long stock 5000 1-Feb $7.90 $39,500 5-Feb $8.05 $40,250 $0.15 $750 1.90% 4
MCP Long stock 10000 5-Feb $7.41 $74,100 6-Feb $7.64 $76,400 $0.23 $2,300 3.10% 1
PRKR Long stock 10000 5-Feb $2.47 $24,700 6-Feb $2.60 $26,000 $0.13 $1,300 5.26% 1
KWK Long stock 20000 5-Feb $2.50 $50,000 7-Feb $2.57 $51,400 $0.07 $1,400 2.80% 2
DANG Long stock 10000 6-Feb $4.18 $41,800 7-Feb $4.13 $41,300 -$0.05 -$500 -1.20% 1
AUMN Long stock 20000 7-Feb $3.39 $67,800 7-Feb $3.48 $69,600 $0.09 $1,800 2.65% 0
ZNGA Long stock 20000 7-Feb $3.04 $60,800 8-Feb $3.22 $64,400 $0.18 $3,600 5.92% 1
GLUU Long stock 20000 7-Feb $2.14 $42,800 8-Feb $2.24 $44,800 $0.10 $2,000 4.67% 1
NUGT Long stock 10000 7-Feb $8.30 $83,000 12-Feb $7.51 $75,100 -$0.79 -$7,900 -9.52% 5
BIOF Long stock 15000 8-Feb $4.49 $67,350 12-Feb $4.88 $73,200 $0.39 $5,850 8.69% 4
OCZ Long stock 30000 13-Feb $2.22 $66,600 13-Feb $2.20 $66,000 -$0.02 -$600 -0.90% 0
HEK Long stock 10000 14-Feb $3.87 $38,700 14-Feb $3.89 $38,900 $0.02 $200 0.52% 0
ZNGA Long stock 20000 14-Feb $3.19 $63,800 15-Feb $3.26 $65,200 $0.07 $1,400 2.19% 1
MEET Long stock 40000 13-Feb $2.91 $116,400 19-Feb $3.02 $120,800 $0.11 $4,400 3.78% 6
MCP Long stock 10000 14-Feb $7.45 $74,500 19-Feb $7.25 $72,500 -$0.20 -$2,000 -2.68% 5
GEVO Long stock 20000 1-Feb $2.39 $47,800 19-Feb $2.51 $50,200 $0.12 $2,400 5.02% 18
RMBS Long stock 10000 19-Feb $5.65 $56,500 20-Feb $6.04 $60,400 $0.39 $3,900 6.90% 1
CEDC Long stock 10000 20-Feb $1.50 $15,000 22-Feb $1.42 $14,200 -$0.08 -$800 -5.33% 2
GLUU Long stock 20000 21-Feb $2.19 $43,800 22-Feb $2.34 $46,800 $0.15 $3,000 6.85% 1
NUGT Long stock 10000 22-Feb $5.77 $57,700 25-Feb $6.05 $60,500 $0.28 $2,800 4.85% 3
JVA Long stock 7000 20-Feb $7.30 $51,100 26-Feb $7.36 $51,520 $0.06 $420 0.82% 6
GRPN Long stock 20000 25-Feb $5.51 $110,200 26-Feb $5.56 $111,200 $0.05 $1,000 0.91% 1
MCP Long stock 10000 26-Feb $6.27 $62,700 26-Feb $6.27 $62,700 $0.00 $0 0.00% 0
DMD Long stock 7000 27-Feb $8.00 $56,000 1-Mar $8.00 $56,000 $0.00 $0 0.00% 2
PEIX Long stock 50000 28-Feb $0.36 $18,000 1-Mar $0.38 $19,000 $0.02 $1,000 5.56% 1
JOEZ Long stock 20000 1-Mar $1.44 $28,800 5-Mar $1.46 $29,200 $0.02 $400 1.39% 4
JE Long stock 7000 5-Mar $7.69 $53,830 6-Mar $7.71 $53,970 $0.02 $140 0.26% 1
NUGT Long stock 20000 5-Mar $4.93 $98,600 6-Mar $5.25 $105,000 $0.32 $6,400 6.49% 1
PEIX Long stock 50000 8-Mar $0.39 $19,500 8-Mar $0.40 $19,850 $0.01 $350 1.79% 0
GEVO Long stock 70000 22-Feb $1.97 $137,900 8-Mar $2.03 $142,100 $0.06 $4,200 3.05% 14
ZNGA Long stock 20000 7-Mar $3.53 $70,600 11-Mar $3.97 $79,400 $0.44 $8,800 12.46% 4
HOV Long stock 10000 11-Mar $6.00 $60,000 11-Mar $5.95 $59,500 -$0.05 -$500 -0.83% 0
ZAGG Long stock 7000 11-Mar $7.58 $53,060 13-Mar $7.62 $53,340 $0.04 $280 0.53% 2
VRNG Long stock 10000 13-Mar $3.00 $30,000 14-Mar $3.05 $30,450 $0.04 $450 1.50% 1
JVA Long stock 7000 15-Mar $7.42 $51,940 18-Mar $7.40 $51,800 -$0.02 -$140 -0.27% 3
HL Long stock 10000 15-Mar $4.16 $41,600 18-Mar $4.22 $42,200 $0.06 $600 1.44% 3
ZNGA Long stock 10000 13-Mar $3.65 $36,500 20-Mar $3.29 $32,900 -$0.36 -$3,600 -9.86% 7
GEVO Long stock 20000 8-Mar $1.97 $39,400 21-Mar $2.30 $46,000 $0.33 $6,600 16.75% 13
BYD Long stock 5000 18-Mar $7.23 $36,150 21-Mar $7.64 $38,200 $0.41 $2,050 5.67% 3
HDY Long stock 20000 22-Mar $0.65 $13,000 22-Mar $0.67 $13,300 $0.02 $300 2.31% 0
HEK Long stock 20000 21-Mar $4.15 $83,000 22-Mar $4.18 $83,600 $0.03 $600 0.72% 1
ZAGG Long stock 10000 22-Mar $7.62 $76,200 28-Mar $7.25 $72,500 -$0.37 -$3,700 -4.86% 6

 

[Andy]

Good luck; definitely not the way I invest.

I don't see commissions in your numbers.

 

[RedDogC130]

Ok subtract $14-16 from each trade which is most brokerage for a round trip. Spitting hair here is think.

 

[dollacrackho]

I'm surprised the moderators haven't yanked these sketchy threads. I'd rather speculate on gold mines than get involved in this shadiness.

 

[PCL_128]

Holy crap. That's more trades in three months than I'll do in five years. The commissions and capital gains alone are severely depressing any profits that you might be making.

 

[RedDogC130]

Holy crap. That's more trades in three months than I'll do in five years. The commissions and capital gains alone are severely depressing any profits that you might be making.

What are you talking about? $14 round trip in commission. In a retirement account you don't pay capital gains. So not sure what your point is.

 

[PCL_128]

What are you talking about? $14 round trip in commission. In a retirement account you don't pay capital gains. So not sure what your point is.

Holy crap, you're actually gambling like this with your tax-deferred retirement account?! Good luck, man. You're gonna need it.

 

[Andy]

Ok subtract $14-16 from each trade which is most brokerage for a round trip. Spitting hair here is think.

There are usually restrictions on that 'flat' fee. Most of the stocks you're trading are likely to get hit with a much higher commission structure.

There's a lot of headline risk in your strategy, especially considering that there are a lot of 'damaged' stock names you're trading - Skullcandy, Zynga, Groupon to name just three.
Plus you're also dabbling in at least one levered ETF - NUGT. Levered ETFs ALWAYS decay.
How often does Jason Bond recommend stocks that end with the letter 'Q'? I see that's one of his 'strategies'. http://www.jasonbondpicks.com/blog-posts/swinging-a-bankrupt-and-delisted-stock-can-be-profitable/

 

[RedDogC130]

None in his watch list. This isn't my first rodeo. This isn't for everyone. The lessons and his teaching are but trading in general isn't. There is risk in any strategy including buy-and-hope. It is what it is and if you are not a member you can't say it isn't. I am and can say what I see. These are not buy and hold stocks. These are in and out small gains... Hopefully...then into another opportunity. Rinse And repeat and hopefully compound winnings

 

[PCL_128]

"Buy and hope?" I don't know any value investor who "hopes." That's too much like the gambling that you espouse. Value investors look for bargain stocks trading for well below intrinsic value so that a margin of safety is built into the investment. Barring some incredibly bizarre unpredictable events, the investment will make money over time. No "hope" necessary. This strategy has produced 20+% compounding returns over decades for many investors. Show me an active trader with that kind of record.

I recommend reading "The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville," an article and speech by Warren Buffet from way back in 1984, just as relevant and true today as it was then. Here's a link: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/null?&exclusive=filemgr.download&file_id=522

 

[RedDogC130]

I suggest that your way isn't the only and quit preaching that there is no other way and other people are wrong. I know you like to have the last word so go for it.

 

[PCL_128]

I suggest that your way isn't the only and quit preaching that there is no other way and other people are wrong. I know you like to have the last word so go for it.

I will, thanks. I'm not saying that it's the only way to make money. I'm simply saying that it's proven to be the best way to make the most money. If you choose to accept reduced returns because it's more "fun" to trade frequently rather than sitting on a stock for ten years, then more power to you, but I'd rather have the highest returns.

 

[LeeRoyJenkins]

I can't believe I am saying this but I agree with PCL

 

[slaquer5]

I can't believe I am saying this but I agree with PCL

I know, I had to bite my tounge .

 

[Andy]

I can't believe I am saying this but I agree with PCL

Let me add that PCL absolutely knows what he's talking about on this subject. Benjamin Graham is a must read. Graham's dryer than day old toast in the desert but his writings are invaluable to the investor in individual stocks.

Successful investing takes a lot of work and you have to do research on your stocks on a regular basis. If you don't have the desire and patience to read 10Q/Ks cover to cover, especially the footnotes (that's usually where the dirty laundry's hidden), you're better off either having someone else manage your money or park it in an ETF. See note 4: http://www.naoi.org/newsletter/financialstatements.htm

Just NEVER, EVER hold a leveraged ETF for more than a day due to decay. Google 'leveraged ETF decay' and you'll find plenty of articles. The bottom line is that over the long term, ALL leveraged (both long and short) ETFs decrease in value.

I wish RedDog good luck, but this guy looks like another Timothy Sykes. Timothy Sykes claims to have made a lot of money; he even started a hedge fund, Cilantro Fund Partners, in 2003. He had to close Cilantro Fund in 2007 after blowing it up with spectacular losses - funny how one's performance deteriorates when the data's not manipulated. Good luck finding a lot of unbiased information on Timothy Sykes or anyone of his ilk; these guys pay money for positive press and get fake testimonials about them placed throughout the internet.

 

[PCL_128]

Graham's dryer than day old toast in the desert

True. But for someone just getting started, starting with "The Intelligent Investor" makes it a lot easier. It's far more geared to the individual investor, while "Security Analysis" is probably the most dry, mind-numbing thing that most people will read in their lives. But it will also make them fabulously wealthy if they put it to work.

Successful investing takes a lot of work and you have to do research on your stocks on a regular basis. If you don't have the desire and patience to read 10Q/Ks cover to cover, especially the footnotes (that's usually where the dirty laundry's hidden), you're better off either having someone else manage your money or park it in an ETF. See note 4: http://www.naoi.org/newsletter/financialstatements.htm

Agreed. For those not willing to put the work in, instead of Graham and Dodd, I would recommend Burton Malkiel's "A Random Walk Down Wall Street." While I think EMH is complete bunk, the conclusions he draws from it are good for the individual investor who doesn't want to spend hours reading over reports all the time. And while ETFs weren't around when he was writing his book, they're widely available now, and they make his conclusions even more relevant to the lazy investor who can just dump his money into a diversified ETF and let it ride for 40 years.

 

[nimtz]

Lenny Dykstra was once considered a stock picking guru. Good luck RedDog. Sucker born every minute.

 

[ualdriver]

I feel like such an "unsophisticated" investor because all I have done for the past 18 years is invest in a diversified portfolio of stock and bond index funds, which I re-balance every year on April 1st (yes, April Fool's Day). No newsletters. Maybe 10-15 basis points per year in expenses. Taxes minimized. Annual trading costs practically nonexistent, sometimes zero.

If there was a person on the planet that could read any company's SEC filings, press releases, transcripts, etc., and use that information to consistently and regularly buy and sell securities (or anything else), wouldn't that person eventually become infinitely wealthy? I mean, you can either consistently and regularly identify mispriced stocks (for example) or you can't.....right? How can a guy that is right 75%-80% of the time (post #40) not be richer than Carlos Helu?

Somebody save me? Tommy Vu?