Stock Market Predictions - Should you Be in The Market Right Now?
Stock market prediction is an arcane art joined with the best of computer discipline
. With the current performance of the stock market and economic performance, it is an idea we all need to take seriously.
The papers, radio and TV all cry about how our personal 401ks have seen better days. While things have improved some recently, many net worths have been hit dramatically. Credit card balances have dramatically increased and foreclosures have skyrocketed.
Economists often acknowledge that the economy has a critical influence on the stock market price. Short term the market may be able to shrug it off but in the long run profitability and cashflow will win out. Balance can take a while to re-establish itself though.
Just understand as you listen to the pundits bestowing their most recent stock market predictions that they don't have a view into the future. Had you known what was going to begin in 2000, you would have avoided a large decrease in your 401ks. They are really just using complex models to forecast the market's future path.
Their prediction is based on experiences, a model and sometimes just a gut feeling. Knowing what their stock market prediction is based on can help you understand if it is going to be useful for you. No one truly believes you can predict the future. those experienced in the trading pits can make very educated guesses though. They use tools like technical analysis based on the past price movements and trading volume to determine the probability of the market moving in one direction.
Being able to look at technical analysis can give you an edge in the market. Even a small percentage over the long run can add thousands to your retirement income. People will often talk about bubbles and picking the top or bottom of one. Just remeber one very important fact.
Bubbles always tend to last longer than people expect they will. Trying to guess the end of a bubble can be dangerous. Now one really knows if silver or oil will continue its price increase. Or if the economy will enter into a decent recovery or a double dip recession. Building a model allows us to get a decent idea of where things are likely to head though. Developing those models can be very difficult. They will often function very well for a short period of time and then deteriorate swiftly.
Many times that is enough to give you a decent edge. Commodities aren't the only thing in question. Many commodities have a direct influence in the stock market. Gold price can have a huge impact on a gold mining company's ability to make a profit. Those profits tend to dictate the share price of a stock. If you can generate increasing and steady profits, investors generally reward you with higher stock prices.
Make sure you study the model and understand what it is built upon. Make sense of their model before believing their conclusions. Stock market prediction can give you a distinct advantage in the market IF you find the right one. Pick the wrong one and you could be living in the paupers section of town.
Stock Market Predictions - Should you Be in The Market Right Now?