Mar 31 2010 The Roller Coaster SlowsFirst quarter 2010 was mellow compared to the roller coaster market we saw the past two years. Following a fairly steep sell off in February, the market reversed and the S&P 500 gained 5.4 percent in the first quarter. This was the S&P 500’s best quarterly start since 1998. In comparison, it was down 9.4 percent in the first quarter of 2008, and lost 11 percent in the first quarter of 2009. more...
Mar 31 2010 Patience, Patience, PatiencePatience is the most defining and significant characteristic or trait of a successful investor. After all, this principle is nothing new and can be found in a plethora of financial books, magazines and media. Patience was even taught in the time of Thomas Edison. He said, “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.” more...
Dec 31 2009 Looking Back and Forward at the Stock Market2009 will leave its mark burned into market history. It was a year of extremes. There were extreme risks, extreme rewards and plenty of opinions. Listening to the news made it feel like the world was ending. In reality, plunging prices created a huge opportunity. Some believe the government saved us from apocalypse, and others argue that the government made the long-term situation worse. Political views were more polarized than ever with two dramatically different views on what living in America should look like. Free markets and capitalism were attacked like never before.
The net result for the stock market was a major roller coaster ride. After the collapse in the global
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Sep 30 2009 The Markets are Back UpThe markets are back into a positive, upward trend. All 42 of the global markets we track are above their 40-week moving average, which is very bullish. more...
Sep 30 2009 A Rally, Now What?The market propels upward when there is an absence of selling. This is followed by the cessation of bad news, which continues the rally as people realize the world is not going to end after all. more...
Jun 30 2009 So Far the Stock Market is Looking GoodSince the March 9th low, the market has been in rally mode. Amidst a backdrop of naysayers, the S&P 500 gained 16% for the quarter and has finally pulled positive with a year-to-date return of 3.16% through June 30th. The rally has been global in scope, with almost all sectors and countries participating. Global stock markets had their best quarter in over 20 years. For the most part, last year's worst performers were this year's best. more...
Jun 30 2009 No More Doom and Gloom in the Stock Market?Lately, I 've spoken to many investors who said they cannot see the markets moving any higher from the current level. They are so shell-shocked by the bear market that they are downright gloomy about our economic situation and don't think it could actually improve. Add to that a government that is putting on programs and regulations so fast that our collective heads are spinning and it's enough to give even the most ardent optimist some legitimate pause. more...
Mar 31 2009 Seeds of Recovery?Along with the recent March rally, we see encouraging signs of improved market performance. This supports the likelihood that the market is near the end of the bottoming process, which started in October when the market fell off a cliff. more...
Mar 31 2009 The Stock Market Drama Continues The 2008 bear market was caused by the credit crisis with additional negative input from politics and the media. On the other hand, the continuation of the decline into 2009 was primarily caused by politics. Uncertainty soared, and the new faces in Washington scared investors to death when they announced new government programs daily. When investors are scared, their confidence is destroyed, and they sell.
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Mar 31 2009 Paragon in the News 1st Quarter 2009Wall Street Transcript, Utah Valley Business Q, Utah CEO Magazine, Utah Business website and Utah Valley Magazine featured Paragon this quarter. more...