Is anyone watching the stock market?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P are all below where they were at this time last year, though I would agree that the worst might be behind us

[GaryC 7]

The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P are all below where they were at this time last year, though I would agree that the worst might be behind us

April 30 2007 the market was at 13062. About the same as it is today. Despite all the doom and gloom, the housing market problems and the war our economy is coming back. This summer will probably be a good one. I think I will increase my withholding for my 401K to 20%. I like what I see.

[Dan J 277]

The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P are all below where they were at this time last year, though I would agree that the worst might be behind us

I would cautiously agree. Some of the factors that have led to this downturn are still having an effect, and with gas prices in particular it could get worse.

Some companies are doing ok, or well, not because of the American economy, but due to growth in other countries around the world. The markets may paint a rosier picture of the American economy than the actual reality.

While the market is slowing recovering, we are not out of the dark yet, a spike or speculation on oil prices could drive up the price of gas even more and put more limits on consumer spending.

[mawilson 2,133]

The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P are all below where they were at this time last year, though I would agree that the worst might be behind us

Might be. No-one really knows.

Danvita was the one who said "don't count on it".

[Dan J 277]

At this rate the market will get very close to 13000 today. I have a feeling this downturn will be short lived.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5EDJI

Don't count on it, rates were cut today. The rally will likely be short lived.

Have you seen the future?

I was expecting the rally to last a couple days, it didnt even make it to market close.

The "rally" started about a month ago.

I was refering to the rally out of the rate cut, not the pattern over the last few weeks.

[mawilson 2,133]

I was refering to the rally out of the rate cut, not the pattern over the last few weeks.

Oh, ok. I think Gary was talking about the general upward movement of the markets over the last couple of weeks,

using today's rally as an example.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I do short term trading and have got a little burnt with recent rate cuts, but yeah I think we have seen the bottom.

Of course, if we all knew exactly what was going to happen we could all quit our day jobs.

[GaryC 7]

I was refering to the rally out of the rate cut, not the pattern over the last few weeks.

Oh, ok. I think Gary was talking about the general upward movement of the markets over the last couple of weeks,

using today's rally as an example.

I went and did it. I am now putting away 20% of my gross. I also told them to start investing 25% of my funds in international growth stocks. (medium level of risk)

[mawilson 2,133]

I do short term trading and have got a little burnt with recent rate cuts, but yeah I think we have seen the bottom.

Of course, if we all knew exactly what was going to happen we could all quit our day jobs.

I love it - market volatility is great for day trading.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

It certainly can be - though you have to be pretty disciplined about it. But when you are young, you can afford to take a few risks I think. I won't be doing it when I'm 50, that's for sure

[kaydee457 13]

The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P are all below where they were at this time last year, though I would agree that the worst might be behind us

April 30 2007 the market was at 13062. About the same as it is today. Despite all the doom and gloom, the housing market problems and the war our economy is coming back. This summer will probably be a good one. I think I will increase my withholding for my 401K to 20%. I like what I see.

Gary, you should have gone to 20% withholding when the market was at 11K........Buy low, sell high!

[mawilson 2,133]

It certainly can be - though you have to be pretty disciplined about it. But when you are young, you can afford to take a few risks I think. I won't be doing it when I'm 50, that's for sure

I don't know, Robin - I know a couple of successful 50-year-old day traders, although

most of them are in their 30's / early 40's.

[mawilson 2,133]

I was refering to the rally out of the rate cut, not the pattern over the last few weeks.

Oh, ok. I think Gary was talking about the general upward movement of the markets over the last couple of weeks,

using today's rally as an example.

I went and did it. I am now putting away 20% of my gross. I also told them to start investing 25% of my funds in international growth stocks. (medium level of risk)

My employer limits me to 10% of my gross, unfortunately.

I have business income as well, but I don't think I can have two 401(k)s, because

the total salary deferral between all 401(k)s is limited to something like $15,000.

[GaryC 7]

I was refering to the rally out of the rate cut, not the pattern over the last few weeks.

Oh, ok. I think Gary was talking about the general upward movement of the markets over the last couple of weeks,

using today's rally as an example.

I went and did it. I am now putting away 20% of my gross. I also told them to start investing 25% of my funds in international growth stocks. (medium level of risk)

My employer limits me to 10% of my gross, unfortunately.

I have business income as well, but I don't think I can have two 401(k)s, because

the total salary deferral between all 401(k)s is limited to something like $15,000.

My employer matches the first 10% with 5%. After that it's all me but I can go up to the federal limit per year. I just got a nice merit raise so putting the extra away will have no effect on my paycheck. Next month I will get another 3% annual raise so I will still see some more money in my paycheck.

[mawilson 2,133]

My employer matches the first 10% with 5%. After that it's all me but I can go up to the federal limit per year. I just got a nice merit raise so putting the extra away will have no effect on my paycheck. Next month I will get another 3% annual raise so I will still see some more money in my paycheck.

5% of 10%? Or 5% of your gross (which is equivalent to 50% of the first 10%)?

Whatever it is, you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, right?