If you had extra $, invest in stock market?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The bloom is slowly returning to the rose that is Wall Street. More and more Americans are willing to put their money into the stock market these days.
A new Gallup poll shows 22 percent of those surveyed say stocks or mutual funds are the best long-term investment... that's up from 15 percent who felt that way one year ago...
Real estate tops the list in this poll - with 29 percent saying that's the best long-term investment... 28 percent say savings accounts or CDs ... and 14 percent say bonds.
This poll also shows wealthier and college-educated Americans prefer stocks and mutual funds for long-term investing... while those with lower incomes and no college education prefer savings accounts or CDs.
There are several reasons why Americans might be a bit more confident in Wall Street these days.
For one thing, the stock market is much stronger now - with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at 11,205 points yesterday... up from a low of 6,547 in March of 2009 at the height of the financial crisis. That's an impressive gain of 71 percent in little more than a year.
Also, people may be more confident because they believe the government will soon have more oversight when it comes to Wall Street.
As we reported last hour in the Cafferty File - two-thirds of Americans support stricter regulations for banks and financial institutions.
So in case there are a few extra bucks in your pocket as the economy starts to show signs of recovery...
Here’s my question to you: If you had an extra $10,000, would you invest it in the stock market?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John in San Antonio, Texas writes:
Absolutely not. Buy something tangible, such as land. At least you can grow something to eat.
Chris in Atlanta writes:
I have no qualms about putting money into the stock market. I just raised my 401k contribution by 50%. If you have been sitting out of the market for the last year, you missed a tremendous investment opportunity.
Jeremy in Michigan writes:
After seeing today's Goldman Sachs nonsense, probably not. Wall Street is apparently only for elites.
Ralph writes:
The market can stay irrational longer than I can stay solvent, Jack.
Pat in Michigan writes:
Yes, but only in a company that is American with products made in America by American workers.
Harvey in Florida writes:
No way. Too much psychology involved. Stock market performance is about projected future earnings. It is no longer about tangible assets like plant/property/equipment or finished goods. I rather buy or upgrade my home and keep the rest in an FDIC bank.
Frankie writes:
No. Could anyone guarantee me that my money was not going to the side they were setting up and betting against?
Karl in San Francisco writes:
I don't have that $10,000 but I can probably scrape up $1,000 or $2,000 to invest and just might do it. A few shares here and a few shares there and maybe I can do well as the economy comes back. It is coming back and I better move soon or forget it. Thanks for the idea.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
don't think I would. Aren't enough honest people there.
I will and manage it myself, not through any smart company or broker.....
If I had an extra $10,000 I would use it to pay off my car, and towards my fiancee's student loans. Those interest rates are higher than any gains we'll see out of the stock market.
That's easy: buy gold and silver. Probably some copper as well...
If I were debt free, most likely it would go into Hennessey's Cornerstone Growth fund. If not, I would pay down or off some credit cards to have some breathing room and get my car fixed.
Ask the question with $100,000 and you might get more relevant answers.
Yes – I'd buy – Ford, Cisco and Oracle. And GM when it's availble.
Would I invest an extra 10K in the stock market? No way. No how. Why don't I just flush the money down the toilet? It would be a faster, less painful way to lose it.
NO JACK.......AND DOUBLE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The stock market is run now by a few gamblers and NOT a level field.
Put your money into High Yield bonds,Muni's,CD's and a bond index fund.
David
Sure I would, right after I was shown proof where the CEO of the corporation had their money stashed. It would be a cold day before I'd considered taking advice from any broker, buying or selling he still gets paid.
Jack: If I had $10,000.00, I would pay off all my bills and not think about the stock market.
The time to invest in the stock market has long passed. That time happened when we had no money left to invest.
Not at this time since I see more downside than upside. I'm putting all my money in Greek debt, hoping the European Union will bail them out.
Yes. In alternative enrgy companies, companies that were comitted to a progressive social agenda, companies that would be willing to sign a pledge of corporate responsibility, companies that freely admitted which candidates it supported. I know Jack. It would be a real short list of companies.
I want to beleive that there a socially responsible companies out there to invest in. i just need to find them.
I would short my home mortgage so I can default and turn my house over to myself.
No. I'd seek badly needed medical care I can't afford.
CNN had a financial adviser on today who suggested your mattress. I'll go along with that.
Sure, as long as I get the same deal as the executives that are fixing the market!
No. I would use my money for something useful.
Jack,
I do have extra money set aside for a rainy day. I have always been a saver and live within my means. I will consider investing in the stock market after the dust settles on Wall Street.
Sure Jack I'd short Goldman Sachs stock1
If you had an extra $10,000, would you invest it in the stock market?
NO!
Our daughter is getting married and I have a wedding to pay for. Are you offering the 10K? Banks aren't lending and I could sure use it!
Jenna
Roseville CA
With the proposed tax increases to Capital gains.........NO. Within an IRA or 401K account......yes. Interest on CD's running at 1%, there is no money to be made there. Stuffing it under your mattress seems to be the safest place for it these days.
Extra 10,000.00....that's a dirty word to this administration. If you have it, they want it. It isn't fair that some people should work hard and have extra money while many people need your money for their support. Nope, I'll just keep it buried in my back yard, away from the hands of the Democrats.
No I would probably bury it in my back yard to have when the liberals bankrupt the U.S. gov't.
Are you offering to give me $10,000?
An "EXTRA" ten grand? That's an oxymoron of epic proportion.
Sure why not? Got a better place for it. CD's averaging 1% just isn't cutting it. When the capital gains rate sky rockets, I'll pull it out, by that time inflation will hit and CD's will be paying more.
No!!! I would rather take my chances at a casino. At least, the blackjack and poker tables have a minimum level of control, unlike slot machines and Wall Street , where a gambler has absolutely no chance of winning.
Yes I would invest now, it's not the end,a some would have you think.
Jack,
That's easy, I would invest in Simmons, between the box spring and the mattress.
Hello Jack Cafferty and CNN friends,
No, I would not invest an extra $10,000 in the stock market,
Because the stock market is unpredictable!
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
I'd invest in Google or Qwest, responsible corporations that have demonstrated ethics, but I wouldn't buy from companies that have not.
I'd probably use the $10,000 for a down payment on an investment property. It is the best time to buy Real Estate with all the short sales and bank owned sales. With all the money I lost in my 401K, it would be hard to throw $10,000 in the same market that swallowed $80,000.
Nick from Atlantic City New Jersey
No.I'll take my imaginary $10,000( couldn't you have, maybe, made it a cool million?) to Vegas.The odds seem better.
I put my extra money under my mattress. It may be lumpy, but I sleep better than I would if I had it invested on Wall Street.
Absolutely, though I would probably purchase mutual fund or an ETF to moderate my risk as a small investor.
I would only consider short sale exchange traded funds that make money when the market goes DOWN.
this whole "bull market" (I would add another word BUT you wouldn't read or post it) since the March 2009 lows has been "smoke and mirrors". when investors figure just how badly they have been bamboozled by the likes of Goldman Sacks and the other Wall Street 'Masters of the Universe", this market will CRASH once again.
Shh don't the government if you have any extra money, they will find a way to tax it right out of your pocket. How greedy of us to want to save for our very own future. If you do invest in the stock market, the proposed capital gains taxes will just tax it all back anyway.....so, NO. Tax you on your income when you earn it and tax you again when you spend it or invest it.
Thismust be a trick question. For once I agree with the party of NO, so No. We'd be better off if we went to Vegas and put it in a slot machine at least we'd have a chance to win. Actually, if we had an extra $10K we'd get a new roof for our house.
Never again Jack. In one word gold.
Jack, how can I when were being blinded by so much corruption and fraud in the financial industry. To regain sight after all their misdeeds I would have to ask myself 'wood eye'?
tampa, fl i already did, i had $35,000 to invest in the stock market. today it is worth about $100. do the math, i did.
Jack my answer is yes, but indirectly. I would either put it into my 401K or pay down some of my debt, and then put the interset i saved into investing further going forward. Actually I got the biggest tax return ever thanks to Obama, and it was close to $10,000 ( I don't make over $250,000 a year). How did you know? So your question is not hypothetical for me.
Not at it's current level. With all the debt we're racking up with all the reckless government spending, the American economy will get hit pretty hard with a stagnant growth and increased inflation making the market very risky. Add that onto the new capital gains taxes that are coming up and stocks are a pretty bad investment at this point.
No – I'd make a low-budget porn film and sell it to the highest bidder at the SEC.
Yes, I already have, in Asian Mutual funds.
Jack, you got to be kidding me. There is no way that I would invest in the Stock Market. When my mother retired 7 years ago, she had $100,000 invested with Edward Jones, and they lost her $50,000.
I do not trust any banking institution or the market.
Can I just pretend like I have exrta money for a few minutes before I have to decide what I would do with it? aaahh
If I had an extra $10,000 I'd be too stunned to know WHAT to do with it !!!
Not in my lifetime.
I pay cash or don't buy. Anything extra(and there isn't any) would go under my mattress. Investing in myself is the only sure deal for me.
Maria
Brunswick,MD
Absolutely! I would invest it in the Ford Motor Company as Ford will become the worlds number one manufacturer of motor vehicles when the dust settles from all of the recalls and the world/global recession.
I already seen how Wall Street takes care of the small investor. And that is exactly what you would be if you had $10,000 to invest. I have also seen how the SEC watched over Wall Street. If you were to tune into the middle of a newscast hearing them try to explain what happened on Wall Street. You would think they were talking about a bookie taking bets. In order for you to win you have to bet on who will lose. To me that is no place to invest $10,000.
Of course Jack. The value of my stocks and 401k have increased 15% YTD. I'm doing quite well and would love to have an extra $10k. If you are making me an offer Jack I'll ask for only 5% of the return I can bring you. Send me an e-mail if you wish to accept my offer.
NO because I do not like crap shoots witch is gambling with out a dealer.
No way. If i invested 10k in the stock market It would require half a mil in taxes. Because it takes 5 SEC officials at 200k a pop, watching porn all day to keep that money safeish.
Yes I would, Jack. I would look to buy for the long term and buy in a few different sectors. Over time, the market has continued to rise and has been a source of wealth. That being said, I would watch my stocks like a hawk.
Ah....No! I think my odds might be better going to Vegas or perhaps buying a lottery ticket. After watching your reports about Wall streets investment strategy.....I think I'll stick with the casinos. At least they'll give you a free drink, while stealing your money.
Probably and hope we don't have a double dip.
No jack. I would invest in some relatives who are unemployed.
No, I would put it against my mortgage and I would still be underwater. For the record, I put 20% down on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage in 2005.
Yes but only in a company that is American with products made in America by American Workers.
Not on your Nellie. A poor man would be a fool to place his hard earned money into Wall St. You usually walk away dirt poor and do not know what just hit you. Better off going to Vegas, plucking your money into the one armed bandit and pulling it. At least you can see it go away and nowhere the money just went wereas Wall St you just got screwed and they cannot say where your money went.
I'd take it to Vegas. At least there I can drink free and watch while they shuffle. cy from arlington, va
I'd rather bet aginst anything Goldman Sachs is pushing. Heard the pay offs pretty good.
Jack,
If I had $10,000 to invest, I would invest in something I could trust. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, I can't trust the stock market. Especially when executives continue to insist they've done nothing wrong even though they've been caught red handed.
i have no qualms about putting money into the stock market. I just raised my 401k contribution by 50%
if you have been sitting out of the market for the last year, you missed a tremendous investment opportunity.
Jack,
Yes I would, but only in solid, well-established stocks with a wide moat and yielding at least 4%.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
nope pay down debt or save it if i had no debt to be paid weather credit card or car payments come first on that extra 10,000
NO, even if I was a Millionaire, I would not invest in the Stock market or any thing connected with them. They are so crooked and should be allowed to fail. We do not need them, let's go to small banks and quit trying to live beyond our means. This should have been taken care of durning the last administration.
Jack, I have been moving my 401K actively, since retirement. I move from a balanced equity account to a government bond account and back again as dictated by market actions. To date I have managed an 8.97% per annum return over the past 2 years. The stock market is a good investment, if you know what you are doing. If you don't, then you need to get a professional manager to handle your account. That is common sense, a commodity which I believe is in very short supply today, nationwide. People would rather blame others, Wall Street, Congress, the President, than take responsibility for their own welfare.
No my chances are better in Vegas and I can have more fun
To be honest--–I would waiver the interest and deposit it in a Maxwell House coffee can and place in under my bed-- will never loose any of the principal.
I would first shore up my reserve savings and if that fund is adequte, I would invest in the stock market.
Go with Goldman Sacks they really know how to cheat but don't take their advice on investments.
Jack: If I had an additional ten thousand-–I would deposit it in a Maxwell House Coffee can and secure it under my bed. Wall Street is nothing but white collar theives taking care of Wall Street at the expense of Main Street. Just look at the hearings today with Goldman, Sachs on the hill. Would you invest your money with these guys?
Jack, if I had extra money, I would not listen to a poll on what to do with it. This is one time that G. Gordon Liddy is right, with his commercials on investing in gold. My only question would be what gold to invest in, American dollars, Canadian dollars, or South African kruegerands!!
Are you kidding? With all the recent happeniongs in the stock market, the SEC, the Wall Street shenanigans.
First, If i had an EXTRA $10,000, I would be lobbying the Vatican to declare it a miracle!
Second, those crooks on Wall Street already got all the money i had, why give them my extra $10,000?
Jack, under this current President, I would invest in lottery tickets before I would invest in the stock market. Now, that's real confidence in your leaders isn't it?
Jack,
The Market is on an upswing now and there are some great bargains out there. The trick is to buy low and sell high. If you wait until the Market reaches its peak you may pass up some great bargains. Just do a little research on the stock you are interesting in. To answer your question, is yes I sure would
Jack
Tennessee
No gambling on the stock market now. It is too unstable. If the wrong things happen,as did before,people will lose more than what they think they have rebounded. Until some finality is put to the financial overhaul bill the market is to volitile.
Jack, it's time for the American people to band together. Move our money to locally owned banks. If the banks can't be broken up by congress the people should do it for them. Put their money in a real bank– not the big bank/ investing companies that get rich off our taxes and our losses.
I think I would do it now more than I would a year ago! The stock market is stronger than ever and its a great way but also a risky way to invest your money, I've never had an interest in the stock market but if I did have an interest and $10,000 yes I would invest it in the stock market today!
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
No Jack I couldn't afford to put that $10K in the stock market. Sure the markets has had a bit of a run-up but that could disappear anytime. Also, today the market is "gamed' as never before by Wall St. and a small $10K investor like me could lose 50% in a heartbeat.
SUre would and it would be in derivatives Jack,just like Warren Buffet.
I would invest that money in either of the auto companies, or any of the banks that were bailed out by American Tax Payers because they were too big to fail....it is the closest thing to a solid guarantee that an investment will always have some value.
No. Could anyone guarantee me that my money was not going to the side they were setting up and betting against?
I would invest it in Goldman Sachs. Now they know how to make money!
The market can stay irrational longer than I can stay solvent, Jack
After seeing today's Goldman Sachs nonsense, probably not. Wall Street is apparently only for elites.
No, I would use it to reduce the debt I ran up while I was unemployed.
NO! I would rather shoot myself in the foot.
No! We say we are a nation of laws. But one party doesn't want the government protecting the people. Foolish people. When we don't have laws we are foolish to invest in a corporate American institution. When government cleans up the mess made by deregulation maybe older and wiser Americans will invest again. College or no college.
Hi Jack,
If I had an extra $10,000 dollars I would be paying off debt, as my rate of return and taxes would not exceed the interest rate penalties on that debt.
Oh, and I might buy myself a coffee.
Absolutely not. buy something tangible such as land. At least you can grow something to eat. We are destined for a collapse in the near future, the result of shenanigans by Wall Street and the banking industry coupled with a currency backed by nothing and controlled by a private bank. Most Americans don't even know that the federal reserve is a private institution.
Stay away from the stock market with your extra money.
Although on paper it appears to pay a better investment rate over time, most people I know lost money over time.
Perhaps the insiders reap most of those percentage gains, and the ordinary investor just pulls the average rate down.
The market does seem to be fixed in favor of the insiders and the huge institutional investors.
Keep your $10,000.00 safe. Buy Certificates of Deposit and sleep at night.
No way, too much psychology involved. Stock market performance is about projected future earnings , it is no longer about tangible assets like plant / property / equipment or finished goods. I rather buy or upgrade my home and keep the rest in the FDIC bank.
No, I have invested thousands in social security and will probably never see a dime back...I don't think so, I am putting my money in a coffee can and burying it...will probably be safer!!!!
NO. I have standards.
No, not yet, although I do still have some investments related to stocks.
I see little reason for the large turn-around in the stock market from a year ago, Though the residential housing arena seems to be turning the corner, it will slow again as the tax credits wain. Then you have the commercial real estate market, which all experts still seem to think could lead us to another double dip bust in economic growth. Add to that the fact we cannot replace 8 million jobs in even a few years.
Jack, if I had money for the stock markets or bonds or something, I guess I'd opt for CDs or something like that. I definitely wouldn't put my hard earned money into the stock market, maybe its safe now, but I think many people have seen the worst and decided its just now safe.
Jack,
Did you say, "invest" or "bet," because as I see Wall Street today is like being in Las Vegas and the brokers are the casinos taking their every day profits and then lure you with false promises. All we have to do is to look at the marble and gold in Vegas to see the same trophies exhibited by the large financial institutions.
No one wins in the stock market, unless they get lucky or speculate.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
I would not invest any money in the stock market without Glass-Stegall and some other protections being revived by Congress.What is wrong with the GOP? Do they think we are complete fools?
Invest $10k in the market? Not on your life!! Those thieves have already stolen half of my 401k investments, and if the so-called "reforms" go through they will be in a PERFECT position to do it again! No way! I am investing in PMs, commodities that will actually accrue in value – not decrease!! I will never again invest in the market. It is going to crash again, and much worse, relatively soon – wait and see. "Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me!". Good luck, Jack!
Absolutely.
Jack,
The majority of the trades are INSTITUTIONAL..not joe blow on the street. There is a huge amount of cash sitting out there...The SEC rules do not differenate between a Sophisticated investor or a customer...Disclosure is absolute. The broker/ IB must inform what/ who is on both sides of the trades!
The haircut taken if bonds are brought inhouse determines how long you will be out of the money!
Deregulation has killed the market–this can not be laid at the feet of the rating agency or the 31 year old hotshot. Tourres did not manage a $600 million dollar book–never would be allowed to happen! You can not tell me that a CEO would not look at the division sheet [P/L] of the most profitable department in the institution-even if just to calculate the bonuses!
Correction: It should be 71% instead of 42%.
Yes, I would invest in the stock market.
No. It is a legalized ponzi scheme supported by easy money provided by the Fed. It has substantially out-performed the underlying GDP of the real economy over the last 10-20 years. Inevitably there is only one direction for it to go – down.
No. The commercial real estate bubble has yet to pop while Wall Street is still self-policing a year and a half after the meltdown (thanks Congress). Land in rural GA, preferably in the foothills, with a cave, might be the wiser choice.
I don’t have that 10K but I can probably scrape up 1 or 2K to invest and just might do it. A few shares here and a few shares there and maybe I can do well as the economy comes back. It is coming back and I better move soon or forget it. Thanks for the idea.
Extra 10,000 to invest? I wish but if i did no way in the stock market. Save it until I can afford a down payment on property. I wont let those thiefs have my money
absolutely. Hampton, Va
Hell no, I would take a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas and take my chances with the one armed bandits, at least I would know what thief had taken my money.
Yes but I would get the name of the broker that sells me the stock, his family names, addresses and I would make him aware that my stocks should not fail and his future depends on it. That would be the "LONG and SHORT" of it . (PUN INTENDED)
The best investment is in your education. Second is long term index fund investing.
Jack:
My answer to that question is: "Hell to that NO"
Might as well throw it into the ocean.
I have and did but today and yesterday were a bit hard to take! About 3% drop. Hope for a better tomorrow.
No stocks, no bonds, no R/E. OK, maybe R/E. First choice is gold, however.
Not because it may continue it's march upwards, but because it may just be all that is left if we don't get our own debt situation under control. We're on a very dangerous path and people need to first protect themselves, then look for short-term opportunity.
If I had $10k the last place I'd put it is the stock market. I would put it in real estate. Although I was one of the few who didn't lose 30% of my portfolio, I wouldn't push my luck. I still see the stock market as an artificial indicator re: the economy. Unemployment is still pushing 10%!
Gold!
Defiantly. Stocks can make you rich over night, literally. It has to be the simplest way too. It's just buying and selling trends that run on cause and effect. Invest if you have the money. Personally, I like $10,000 as a starting point. Your money should make you money. Stop considering and just do it.
I'd put it under my mattress.
Heck no Jack. I would go fishing.
Give more money to those wall street crooks? Hell no!!!!
All are crooks. Rich getting richer and poor goes down the tube. Never to trust nobody.
Jack, Iwould not invest a dime in the stock market. It's like giving them your money and saying ...see how much you can steal.
I'll reserve my response until I see the results of your survey, Jack, because it's a basic tenet of investing that once everyone agrees that it's a great time to invest in the stock market it's not. It's too late.
In our glorious History Past, Stocks and Bonds were where Criminals were shackled on display so the Public could ridicule them. I think alot of High Finance Management belong exactly there. After witnessing my 401K become a 200.5B, no, I do not trust the Market, but then again my Sleep Comfort number is unreliable with the money I hide beneath my matress.
Nope, I'd be putting my money into gold. The national debt is still increasing at an unsustainable rate. Politicians keep spending money like this nation isn't broke and the Federal Reserve is keeping the presses hot printing money. All that inflated currency is bound to catch up with this country eventually, and those with gold will be the ones cashing in.
Nope, Not, Naadda
As long as the republicans are fighting wall St. reform, "H" no.
The way the stock market bounces around, you may be rich one day and poor the next, but some stocks were a real value a year ago and I expect to see a large increase in the number of millionaires in this country.
Ford stock went from $.75 a share to $14.00 a 1400% increase
AIG stock went from $.75 a share to $35.00 before falling back a 3500% increase.
Many stocks that melted down a year ago are now up 500%,600%,700% and more while unemployment is still at 10%.
I wonder where all of our bailout money went???
Dear Mr. Cafferty,
At this moment in time I would NOT invest in the stock market simply because we are living in PEAK FUEL OIL market times. Combine PEAK OIL FUEL situations with Wall Street GREED and you have 100% loss of your funds.
If there is true reform and regulation instituted on Wall Street, I may consider investing in the future.
The US will never be able to reform and regulate PEAK FOREIGN OIL, and almost our entire economy is tied to fuel and fuel costs.
I prefer income producing real estate. Wall Street and the "banking boys" have made home loans next to impossible, many people are now forced to rent homes. Home and apartment rentals are the only reasonable way to recoup my losses off of The Wall Street Pirates.
I would buy gold bullion with 10,000. Wall street "in-waste-ments" are for gullible marks.
At my age, Jack, it is wine, women, and song.
Ray
Lubbock
Jack,
Knowing that so many of the stock firms are betting on the decline of the economy and the banks offering Savings accounts and CD's at rates around 2% (keep in mind that typical yearly inflation is 4%), why is there no mention of Life Insurance as a financial vehicle? There are Guaranteed Cash Values, Dividends, Tax Advantages, Liquidity in time of need, all in addition to Death Benefit protection for families in case of the unforeseeable. Many policies can also be tied to mutual funds making for even more variety tailor made by an investor's needs. More Americans should be aware of the benefits of Life Insurance in an unstable economy.
Jeffrey C. de Leonard
Heck yes! I had $ 10,000 and I did put it into a mutual fund and an IRA mutual fund. Why keep it in my bank's money market at only 1.05 percent annually? At least I got to save $5000 on my 2009 tax return. I already started dishing out another $415 a month for next year's IRA deduction. Excellent question, Jack!
Nope – cashed out most stocks a few days ago.
Won't get fooled again, Jack.
As an active stock buyer, my goal is to make money in the long term (5 -10 years). As a result of investing in blue chip companies that issue dividends which increase over time, I have a portfolio that has recovered quite nicely from last year's poor performance.
Are you kidding? Before I would let those slick $2000 suit wearing chislers have my money to "BET" with, I'd just assume go out give it to the nearest stranger.
We're better off trusting the everyday bookie or street hustler. At least we'd get a fairer deal in stead of lies upon lies stating, "we did nothing wrong."
Yes, now would be the time to get into the market with $10,000, before everyone gets giddy with optimism and prices soar. Look for stocks that give exposure to a global recovery, instead of just a U.S.recovery. Stocks like Western Union and Yum! are in a great position for a global recovery, despite a scary looking outlook from Greece's financial woes.
Of course investing in business is a good idea. It is what keeps the economy moving. The free market will always be the best way to allocate capital to productive members of society. Unfortunately, we do not operate in a free market. Governments and central banks have too much influence over monetary policy and markets. This makes the the markets volitile and unpredictable. So, be careful and do your due diligence when investing.
On a side note. The comments selected make me wonder what the point of these excercises are anymore. Starting to look more like political banter.
No way, Jack. I think there should be resurgence of bond buying. This is a great long-term investment, it's safe and since we are broke, completely necessary. You many not get the instant gratification of stocks soaring but neither will you lose all your cash when the CEO of the company you invested in decides to cash all his/her "options". Besides, we need new bridges, schools, roads, etc. This is truly investing in America.
Yes I'd buy in, knowing full well there's a chance it could drop substantially tomorrow. As I get older I'll start moving my money to safer investments. I feel for the people who lost 50% of their retirement, but there's a reason you move away from risky investments (stocks) as you get closer to that age. I lost 50% of mine but have 40 years to gain it back. By the way, the ignorance of some of the other posters on here blows me away.
Yes, I put my money in the stock market. But here's the deal, you really need to study up, know the stocks you are buying. Like anything you get involved in, there is a learning curve. Only the fool hearty do things without leaning the in's and out's of the stock market.
Anything you do is a gamble, starting a business is a gamble, starting a new job is a gamble, and buying a home with hopes of retiring on the accumulated value is a gamble. You have to be willing to take a risk and
if you're lucky, you'll win.
If you only have 10k extra money, save it in CD for raining days. If you have 100k extra, yes, go ahead and invest in stock market. That's a way to let your money generate more money. Of course you have to find a way to safe guard your stocks. Learning always helps.
Hey Jack, I'll invest int he Powerball lottery, THE ODDS ARE BETTER. What does that tell ya??
I would bet on the market tanking again. Nothing has changed from a year ago when it comes to policy. Its quite apparent that the smart money is against the bad investment.
Absolutely not. When the stock market started crashing, I took all the money I had invested out of it, paid off my house, and watched the market crash still further. I now find out that some greedy bastards on Wall Street made money off that crash while the rest of of the country lost their retirement, their homes and their shirts. I don't have $10,000 to spare, but at least I have a couple of shirts left and no mortgage payments to make. I'm an independent who will never again vote for the GOP because a "party of NO" deserves no vote in any election, mid-term or presidential.
Holger in Colorado
Yes, even today after the pullback, I would. The stock market is the only place an average Joe has a chance to keep up with inflation...and every recession is followed by a reinflationary period. I would invest it, but I would do the research and the purchasing myself. No broker fees, no being sold on someone else's horse, no one to blame but myself. AND...when it goes down, I would buy like it was a clearance sale.
I'm young, only 26, and invested moderately before the crash. Yet I saw the opportunity of a lifetime in 2008 and sold everything that was not screwed down. Every dollar went into the market and I haven't regretted it one bit.
To all those saying no for one ridiculous reason or another, it's pretty clear why Americans have money problems of such an epic scale. It's not Wall Street's fault, it's an almost unbelievable financial illiteracy.
I had $20,000 in cash a year ago. I put it in the stock market. It's now much more than $20,000.
Today? I'm looking for places other than stocks to put extra cash.
In school I was taught that the stock market existed to raise capital for companies;so that they could expand and provide growth and jobs ;and in so doing give the investor a fair return as well.What happened to that?
If every one cash out stock market, it is worth 10% of stock value
Artificially inflated value by Government and thiefs
The problem is having the time to watch your investments like a hawk each trading day. That's what it takes to manage a stock portfolio. NO ONE at ANY brokerage house can be trusted for a minute. They're all crooks and would lie to you in a NY second to make a buck.You'd have to be online w/ E-TRade or TD Ameritrade all day and ready to sell or buy at the drop of a hat. Most folks don't have this kind of time; they're too busy working for a living. Those 4 clowns from Goldman Sachs today should at the very least be thrown in prison for 10 years or more for fraud and perjury before Congress.
Absolutely not, Jack. My fiancé and I are new attorneys with a combined $350,000 in student loan debt. I am still looking for employment, and it took my fiancé two years to find work. Ultimately, with salaries being grossly disproportionate to the cost of higher education, any money that comes our way will go toward digging our way out of the massive hole the student loan racket saw fit to put us in.
I'll take my chances with my money in a safe in my closet instead of having too big to fail banks taking risks with my money
Are you nuts, Jack??? Hand over 10K to Wall Street, or Congress, or whoever is in charge of the financial markets and just wait for some future legislation, or lack there of, to wipe me out??? Not on your life.
I would take it to a little bank and reap the 1.5% interest that it will make me...
Or maybe for a better return, let the 10K stake me to a poker game.
It all depends. If I had immediate debts to pay, the money would go to debts.
If I needed a vehicle or immediate family need, then it would go there.
Otherwise, I'd invest in silver and gold bullion. It amazes me that so many consider this a barbaric practice but don't grasp the idea that paper currencies are backed by nothing but promise and nothing of real value.
The stock market is for gambling now in this secular bear market (since 2000 dot com crash), but these markets are ripe for those investing out of the norm and into things like gold and silver. They are up nearly 400% this decade.... can't argue that track record until it falters....
No, I would not invest in the stock market in the USA at this time. It has become abundantly clear to most of the world that the current regulatory system in the US is a bit behind the times and corruption is a main ingredient, I prefer to invest in countries where there are laws that protect the consumer.
The stock market, ultimately, has done nothing but go up. There are peaks and valleys to be sure, but over time, it has only gone up. Will/can this continue forever? Clearly no. A wise investor carries every financial device mentioned. The stock market is risky. Relying solely on a mutual fund, or 401k that invests solely in the market is crazy. Everybody is involved in the market nowadays, and it's not the exclusive purview of the investor anymore. This causes unrealistic expectations for safety.