Photo: CNBC
Stocks have been on a roller coaster ride these past few years. Between 2020 and 2022, they skyrocketed in the sky, only to come crashing down recently.
We are currently experiencing some of the most challenging times in recent history. The year-to-date value for S&P 500 dropped 18%, and there have been many other economic indicators that point towards an uncertain future, including inflation rates being at their highest since 40 years ago as well as geopolitical conflicts ongoing today with a recession looming.
In the current fear-driven investing environment, value stocks have been on top as people look for stability in their investments. Precarious meme stocks like SPAC and NFT bets went down significantly.
“Wall Street makes money, one way or another, catching the crumbs that fall off the table of capitalism,” Warren Buffet cautioned investors at a yearly shareholder meeting for Berkshire Hathaway in April.
“They don’t make money unless people do things, and they get a piece of them. They make a lot more money when people are gambling than when they are investing.”
Oracle of Omaha stated that the difference between gambling and investing is understanding a company’s fundamentals.
Experts Say Trust Yourself
Investors are often unable to predict future events with certainty and tend to overreact when faced with immediate problems, said Check Capital’s executive, Steven Check.
“The market is irrational in the short term, but it’s always rational in the long term,” Check stated.
Trends often increase and then disappear. However, if you envision a business’ future (a decade to be precise) condition and then follow through, “you’ll eventually end up being rewarded,” he added.
“The stock market is the only store where when things go on sale, everyone runs out the door. You don’t want to be one of those people,” said TD Ameritrade’s head trading strategist, Shawn Cruz.
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Companies, which possess firm balance sheets, healthy cash balances, and increasing revenues, tend to now come with a discount, according to Cruz.
“So, if you have a long-term focus and some specific names you’re looking at, this is a good time to pick up some quality shares for your portfolio.”
Cruz further said you don’t have to turn into a stock-picking mogul. Firms such as Chase, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft continue to trade at their recent highs.
Investors Must Study
Experts have provided us with the right tools and facts about the market and understanding it. All you have to do is read.
But if you want to do what Warren Buffett does and avoid many of the mistakes he made, then it’s imperative that before jumping in head first with your investment – YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE WORK.
An easy and good starting line is studying a prospective firm—research the person that manages the business, its promotion and how. Then, try to answer: Do you thoroughly know the product, and do you believe it has potential in the future economy?
According to Check, investors (you) should ask themselves if they would still desire to operate the business from the bottom if given the change.
The second step is to check the firm’s financial statements, which are accessible on their websites. Assess their balance sheet. Inspect their profit-loss statements, cash flow statements, operating costs, revenue, and expenses if it is healthy. Take note of the net profit: Has it climbed during the last few years?
Then, look at the general environment: the broader economy – competitors and the market.
Lastly, be updated. Your investment doesn’t conclude when a trade succeeds. The economy continuously evolves, and your portfolio should also see an improvement.
Sometimes, stopping and taking a break from actively investing is essential.
“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is owning the S&P 500 index fund,” stated Buffett in a shareholder meeting in 2020. “There are huge amounts of money people pay for advice they really don’t need.”
