Tag: how to invest

  • Is “Buy and Hold” Investing Strategy A Good Choice?

    Is “Buy and Hold” Investing Strategy A Good Choice?

    Is "Buy and Hold" Investing Strategy A Good Choice?
    Everyone would like to earn a lot, but everyone has a different way to do so. Why long-term investing is still the best chance?

    By Gorica Gligorijevic

    I’ve heard some people saying that the “buy and hold” investing strategy is dead. That was quite interesting because they said that in the context of coronavirus pandemic. This pandemic is changing the world and us personally for sure, but why are they so convinced that long-term investing is dead? I have to disagree. The strategy “buy and hold” will never die, and here is why. 

    But let’s have a more in-depth look at new investors’ psychology first. Who are they? They are under 40, worried for their capital, fearful of the future. The majority prefer short-term trading more than long-term investing because the current economic situation is so unpredictable. People are losing their jobs; unemployment is growing. On the other side of this is a great potential to profit from trading stocks. Their price fluctuates, changing every day, every hour, which is a great opportunity for profiting in trading.

    For example, let’s go back to February this year. Stocks dropped by more than 30 percent of their value after February 19th and touched the bottom in March. That was the sharpest downturn ever seen before. But what did happen in September? The major indexes are closed to record levels. That was a great rebound. Someone would say it was an excellent opportunity for traders, and such would be right. But what about buy and hold investing? How is it still a profitable strategy? Let’s not listening to the naysayers and try not to underestimate the investing strategy that rolls the capital. 

    You can find empirical proof that demonstrates the long-term advantage of the “buy and hold” investing over any other strategy. 

    But to appropriately benefit from this strategy, you’ll need to secure against main pitfalls that may appear.

    “Buy and hold” investing strategy doesn’t mean “buy and forget.”

    Traders-Paradise already wrote about the importance of maintaining the investment portfolio. As an investor, you MUST stay engaged with it. Long-term investing will not allow you to forget the improvements in your portfolio. For example, asset allocation is necessary from time to time. 

    It would be best if you stayed fully tuned into what’s happening in each of your holdings. By no means you cant allow to neglect it. You have to know what is going on with each of your holdings, and you must be ready to make all necessary adjustments according to current market conditions.

    Don’t buy what you know.

    It’s a stupid mantra and might lead you to significant losses. Many new investors load up on stocks from the companies whose products they use in everyday life. That’s completely wrong, especially if you keep them forever or at least several years despite the low earnings. I know that people are usually emotionally involved in their favorite products, but it doesn’t mean you have to buy their stocks if you like something to use. Just buy the favorite product and think twice about buying stocks. It would be best if you based your decision to buy stocks on the evaluation, a due diligence method that provides you a firm grasp of the company’s prospects. For example, what is the company’s competitive position? Do you know anything about that? What is the precise value of the company’s stock? 

    It is vital to avoid a blind spot when it comes to stocks that you think you know. I know you will ignore the negatives of the company because you fall in love with the stock. Nothing is wrong with love in your private life. It’s nice. But investing based on emotions is a dead-end path. It is more likely you’ll end up in losses.

    Have a plan

    Keep in mind, never buy stocks randomly to fill your portfolio. It would help if you built your investment portfolio based on an investment outlook. Always be ready to adjust your portfolio according to changes in the perspective. That means you’ll need a plan.

    I am not proposing an elaborate and exact outlook for growth in the next quarter, but you definitely need to understand the market. In light of the current pandemic, we all can see companies suffering due to social-distancing policies – for example, hotels, airlines, etc. But what we have to take into consideration? Fiscal and monetary stimulus. That could provide the economy to bounce back. This downturn or pandemic will not last forever, or we will learn to live with it and find beneficial opportunities to invest in. If you’re worried about what the shape of the recovery will be, forget it. In long-term investment, it doesn’t matter.

    What matters is the recovery will come and if you’re investing now, estimate the possibility for the company to withstand the next few months of this agony.

    And you must be flexible enough to adapt your positions if your outlook changes. That’s all. Can you see how the buy and hold investing strategy is the safest choice?

    The buy and hold investing strategy is the right choice forever. Please keep each of these in mind while creating your stock portfolio to boost your odds of profiting.

  • Cyclical Or Non-Cyclical Stocks – Where To Invest During A Recession

    Cyclical Or Non-Cyclical Stocks – Where To Invest During A Recession

    Cyclical Or Non-Cyclical Stocks - Where To Invest During A Recession
    When we ask ourselves what is a better choice during a recession, cyclical or non-cyclical stocks we have to know, as first, the differences between them.

    A recession is not the time to make an experiment with risks on your investments, so why dilemma cyclical or non-cyclical stocks? Well, it isn’t a dilemma for most people. The crucial aspect of an investment strategy during the recession should be to play it safe. This means no one should take the big risks at uncertain times but should find the companies with stable cash flow and low debt. The terms cyclical or non-cyclical show how much a share price is related to the changes in the economy. You, as an investor, cannot control the cycles of the economy, but you can adjust your investment strategy but you first have to understand how the whole economy is connected to your investments.

    What are cyclical stocks?

    Cyclical stocks have a straight correlation to the economy. 

    Cyclical stocks represent companies that are very favorable during the times when the economy is doing well. For example, carmakers, restaurants, branded wear makers, travel, construction are that kind of companies. But when times are difficult almost everyone will cut spendings on these products and services. When people stop buying these products, the companies’ revenues will fall for sure. Also, their stock price will fall. If there is a long downturn in the economy, the company will bankrupt or go out of the business.

    Having this in mind, you should avoid cyclical stocks when the uncertainty is present in the market or in the economy. For example, during uncertain times such as a recession, you shouldn’t invest in companies that are extremely leveraged or unsafe.

    Cyclical goods are not essential things. You are spending money on them less frequently. Your spendings are maybe determined by the season of the year, the current financial situation, and many other factors that can determine when and why you would buy these products and services. They are in the first place on your stop-to-buy list. 

    The cyclical stock’s prices are affected by economic cycles, for example, recession and recovery. Hence, they will grow and drop depending on shifts in the economic cycle. Very often you can predict these changes and as a responsible investor you will sell or buy the cyclical stock. For instance, furniture manufactures. In periods when the economy is doing well, everyone would like to remodel the house and change the furniture. But when a downturn is in the economy, who will care about buying the new furniture? The buying will drop, hence the stock price will drop along with lower demand.

    To know what stock to choose, cyclical or non-cyclical stocks, we also have to know how the non-cyclical stocks perform.

    What are non-cyclical stocks?

    Non-cyclical stocks generally outperform the market when economic growth decreases. They are profitable no matter what are the trends in the economy. These companies are producing services and goods that we’ll always need. For example, utilities: water, electricity, gas. That is something we will need in any economic condition. These stocks are also called defensive stocks. The reason behind – they can be used to defend the investment portfolio against the consequences of economic downturns. It is always good to invest in these stocks when bad days come. In case of a recession they are safe-haven investments. 

    For example, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and detergent. How can we reduce them? There is no way. Who can wait a year or two to wash the dishes? 

    We already mentioned utilities. These companies are a great example of non-cyclical stocks. We need energy, electricity, water for us and our families. Because of that utility companies increase and do not slip dramatically in any economic circumstances. 

    The disadvantage of these stocks is that they will never produce huge returns even when the economy is expanding and growing. They are safe investments but their price will never skyrocket or it could happen but rare.

    Investing in non-cyclical stocks is a good strategy to avoid losses during the recession. So, cyclical or non-cyclical stocks, where to invest during a recession?

    Investment strategy with a mix of stocks

    You have several ways to add both cyclical or non-cyclical stocks to your investment portfolio. That can be a mix of bonds, cash, and stocks, but also the mix of growth stocks and value stocks. Another strategy is to add cyclical and non-cyclical stocks to offset changing business cycles. 

    When the cyclical stock drops in value you’ll have a great defense in non-cyclical stocks. During a downturn economy, cyclical stocks are less valuable and their price starts to move very fast. The truth is that it is moving up and down almost at the same speed and dramatically, within the economic cycle. Non-cyclical stocks never move that fast and radical. We described the fundamental differences but to repeat, non-cyclical stocks are practically immune to economic changes. That is their great advantage. Returns are something else. They are not huge, but these stocks will keep your nose above the water during the recession.  

    When the markets are growing, a good investment strategy could be to buy cyclical stocks at the beginning of the economic increase. But when you have some assumptions or signals that the recession is possible to come, sell them just before it happens. Sadly, trying to predict a future recession is a lost battle. That is the reason to hold a mix of cyclical and non-cyclical stocks in your portfolio. Why should we even ask or have a dilemma with cyclical or non-cyclical stocks when we should hold them both in our portfolios.

    That way,  we can provide a well-position to benefit when the economy is expanding. But, at the same time, we will have a shield when the economy takes a turn for the worse.

    Where to find cyclical stocks?

    Since it isn’t possible to name every cyclical industry (there is not enough room here) we can give you some clues where to look at.

    For example, hotels, restaurants, carmakers, airlines, banks. They all have something in common. In periods of strong economies, they are all expanding. People are traveling, need a place for vacations, they want to stay at the hotels, they would like to buy a new car, or rather want to eat in restaurants than at their homes. Also, some high-tech stocks can be cyclical. People really want them in prosperous times. Companies tend to invest money in developing new technology, new products. Startups are growing, also. 

    Not to forget banks. They are also a good example of cyclical stocks during the growing economy.

    Where to find non-cyclical stocks?

    These defensive stocks can be found among retailers, utilities. Consumer staples stocks are one of them, also. These stocks have modest growth but they are considered safe investments, that provide stable profits, and are defensive, and dividend-paying stocks. The most important role is that they can outperform the down markets.

    These non-cycling companies work in a strong sector,  their products are always in demand. We cannot cut our needs for them. They are able to survive great challenges and economic cycles. That’s why they are so much attractive especially during the recession if you add them as defensive stocks to your portfolio.

    Strategies to choose the stocks

    It is the same as any investing strategy. You have two ways: the top-down or the bottom-up strategy.

    The top-down strategy means to observe the economy as a mass and select stocks that will perform well during specific economic conditions. When applying this strategy you must be sure you are well informed about the macroeconomy, that you understand different sectors. You have to recognize how a particular industry will perform during the various business cycles, also when the stock price will rise when it will drop.

    For both cyclical or non-cyclical stocks, this top-down strategy is the most suitable.

    The bottom-up strategy means you have to look at the stock alone and to decide what stock to buy or sell.

    This strategy is a good one when choosing cyclical or non-cyclical stocks only when they are in correlation, meaning the stocks are moving synchronized. For example, the jewelry manufacturer will have a decline in the value during the recession. People will stop buying jewelry. But at the same time, the stock of the electricity provider will perform well. So, keep in mind that you have to have both in your portfolio. 

    Bottom line

    There is no need to ask yourselves what stocks to add to your portfolio, cyclical or non-cyclical stocks. You must hold both of them if you want huge returns and protection during market downturns. 

    During economic growth cyclical stocks will increase more. Hence, during recessions, people will decrease their spending and will squeeze the budgets. They will continue to buy and spend money only on the goods they really need. So, the companies that have these products will bloom.

  • How to Invest When the Coronavirus Pandemic Sends the Stock Market Down

    How to Invest When the Coronavirus Pandemic Sends the Stock Market Down

    How to Invest When the Coronavirus Pandemic Sends the Stock Market Down
    The markets entered the bear territory but it isn’t the reason to stop investing. Actually, despite the coronavirus pandemic and oil wars, it is the opposite.

    By Gorica Gligorijevic

    When the market comes into this situation the logical question that smart investors ask is how to invest when the coronavirus pandemic sends all markets down. 

    Should we stay away and wait for market consolidation or to act and profit? Let’s change our positions for a sec. Instead of being investors, let’s try to assume how managers of the companies are acting now. Yes, some closed up. But we don’t want to talk about them, we would like to discuss serious, responsible managers with the ability to project future actions related to their business and the companies. Like them who are investigating and planning how to beat the competition, or how to become more competitive after all, the investors should do the same thing. Investing should be a game without ending, renewed all the time. Investors may move their assets from one industry to others but should never stop investing. 

    So, the question of how to invest when the coronavirus pandemic sends all markets down sounds logical for amateurs. Professionals are looking even now for new and better opportunities. 

    One reason is to overcome this market down and the other is to find market players that can produce a bigger profit. The market is here and it will never stop working. So, why would we do the opposite?

    What can generate gains during the pandemic?

    This pandemic influences markets all over the world. Coronavirus outbreak hits almost all countries on the globe and as well their economies. 

    Global markets had been beaten almost overnight. The main problem, according to some analysts, is investors getting panic in the downturn markets. The events are accelerating sharply, faster than spreadsheets and charts could predict them. Advanced investors shift into funds, options, or some commodities to hedge their investment portfolios. The others with a lack of experience, haven’t time to do that. Also, badly timed and wrongly settled hedges may produce big losses. Moreover, put protection is becoming incredibly expensive. Market makers avoid the opposite side of the trade.

    But maybe it is even worse for those who shifted into cash to find a better buying opportunity after the outbreak. Yes, cash is the position too, but if you stay too long in that position might cause the earning of zero. Yet, it is better than losing capital but you’ll miss the opportunity to profit. Yes, even now while markets are down you can still earn. There are some industries and sectors where you can invest especially now. Of course, no one can guarantee that stocks will rise forever, but why don’t we call stats as help. 

    How to Invest in Biotech stocks

    Here are some ideas on how to invest when the coronavirus pandemic causes all markets to drop.

    So, according to data biotech stocks are a good choice right now. Also, health care. Maybe more than ever both sectors are active these days. The virus COVID-19 is still greatly new and the subject of many scientific types of research. They are all looking for COVID-19 treatments. The companies involved can be a great opportunity. For example, large and mid-cap companies from that sector. According to data, closed near 52-week highs at the end of last week. On the last trading day, they played very well. For example, MASI which is a large seller of pulse oximetry to hospitals. Or CNC, and some others like QDEL, just take a look at its historical data. 

    Or maybe Roche Holding AG ROG,  which gained 3.7% in premarket trading today (Thursday, March, 19) just after they announced its plans to work on Phase 3 clinical testing Acterma. It is a drug used in rheumatoid arthritis treatments but showed good results in treating patients with COVID-19 with severe pneumonia.  

    Roche announced it is in consultations with the FDA. This company needs the authorities’ approval to start research with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. It is expected that about 330 patients from all over the world will take part in that. Recently, Roche got FDA’s approval for manufacturing COVID-19 tests for the U.S. 

    Roche’s stock fell 7.7% in the last 12 months.

    Small-cap companies from the same sector are not such a good choice because there are too many speculations around them and it is possible for investors to end up with losses faster since those companies could disappear overnight.

    How to Invest in Safe-haven stocks

    Do you know how important soup is important today? What do you think, can some producers of soup be a safe-haven investment? The example of Campbell Soup Company shows us it can. 

    Popular safe havens are running a bit better than their growth equals. They are paying high dividends reducing the losses caused by lower prices. For example, Campbell Soup Company is paying a 2.84% forward dividend yield. Moreover, the company is trading near a 52-week high after its earnings report. 

    Also, Mondelez International traded at $46.55 and with a dividend yield of 2.45%. This sweets producer is a super-force: Toblerone, Oreo, Cadbury, Belviva, TUC. The company produces pre-packaged goods. And that kind of producer is among the most desired safe-haven stocks right now since its goods can be used at consumers’ homes. There is no need for visiting restaurants and being in the crowd.  

    MDLZ stock is outperforming the S&P 500 by more than 10%. For some investors, the problem with this company can be its exposure to China, and store shelves are less stocked now. But the company’s branch in China is very close to setting the situation to normal. 

    Maybe Johnson & Johnson a 134 old company? It is one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. The company covers pharmaceuticals, medical materials, and devices, surgical and orthopedic robotics, etc. It has well-known products  Band-Aid and Tylenol. The analysts are optimistic about the company’s long-term growth prospects.

    How to invest during the coronavirus pandemic?

    This can be an ethical and financial question. Both are inappropriate. Money has to work. 

    It is true, in just several weeks, the Coronavirus pandemic hit almost a third of the world market cap. The Sensex is 20% below from its highest highs reached just two months ago. The Indian equity market bounced back last Friday. The other markets have fallen even more.
    The coronavirus spreading caused panic all over the world and lessened the confidence of investors.

    The other unpleasant events happened also. For example, the crude oil war between Russia and Saudi Arabia has added volatility to the markets. But something has changed. It isn’t all about the coronavirus outbreak, the other things influence the markets also.
    The commodities and currency market are in turbulence because of the crude oil war. This is a crash of huge magnitude. It will take time for confidence to come back but that doesn’t mean we have to sit aside. This can be a great opportunity to invest. 

    The stock market condition today

    Stock market volatility is normal, and also discouraging but doesn’t have to be. For some investors, it is almost impossible to avoid panic and sell-off, we know that.
    One of Wall Street’s main stock benchmarks, the Dow Jones, dropped and entered bear market territory on Wednesday, March 11. Dow Jones has been in a bull market since the financial crisis in 2008-09. Also, the big volatility is present, partially due to the oil price war but also, due to the fears of the coronavirus. Of course, that is stressful for investors. But they know, as much as we know, that stopping investing is the worst scenario ever. 

    So, how to invest when the coronavirus pandemic sends all markets down sounds illogical for professionals. Investing must continue. And we show you where and how. Stay invested! Maybe this can help.

  • How to Invest in Marijuana Stocks?

    How to Invest in Marijuana Stocks?

    Marijuana Stocks and How to Invest
    Here are some tricks and tips on how to invest in marijuana stocks. They are in trend now.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Marijuana stocks easily can be one of the most interesting industries in the coming decade. The sector is growing with very volatile stocks that can give possibly marvelous trades.  

    This sector is already expanding. But it may explode even more. We already have a lot of listed stocks, but new ones launching IPOs also.

    How to invest in marijuana stocks?

    Let’s be clear on what precisely a marijuana stock is.

    Marijuana stocks are the stocks of companies that are included in the marijuana industry. Such companies are focused on growing, others on selling, and some on researching marijuana. Marijuana stocks you can find under the name pot stocks. Not only producers or merchants businesses are pot stocks. Pot stocks also refer to companies that are servicing firms in the marijuana or cannabis industry, for example, distribution companies. Any company that acquires more than 30% of its income from any business linked with marijuana can be a pot stock.

    Tricks and tips

    The marijuana sector is really hot. So, you have to be aware that it is a volatile industry. This is the reason more to read and watch the news like any other stock. The news is important because that is what makes changes in the market. The truth is that the news can make an enormous turnaround in the market, the prices may jump or drop on news, the stock may be tremendous or useless thanks to the news.

    What you have to do is to watch your favorite marijuana stock tickers. Be very careful with that because some mistakes may appear.

    Is trading marijuana stocks easy

    It’s almost the same as any other stock. Use the charts. By using stock charts, you’ll be able to know where to enter a trade, where to set stop-loss order, what is the market sentiment about your stocks. A lot of data you may gather from charts.

    To know how to invest in marijuana stocks you have to watch a stock scanner to find trade setups that match your standards and your goals. But one suggestion first. Since there is a bulk of marijuana tickers tracking all of them is simply wasting your time by watching all of them. Moreover, there is no need to do so since we have the technology to work for us. Yes, I am talking about stock scanners. All you have to do is to set up the criteria that you are looking for and after a few clicks, the technology will do the rest.

    Adjust your portfolio to trade long and short. Of course, if you are an investor and not a trader, you don’t need this. Just buy and hold, you are already long and you are waiting for the price to rise. But if you are a trader, to be short means that you have to borrow the stock, sell them at a higher price and wait for the price to drop, and buy the stocks again at a lower price.

    In the coming years, the marijuana industry might grow. But with stocks, we are talking about winners and losers. To be honest, it is much easier to find dropping stocks. So, the short-selling can be very tricky and you must have a really good strategy and be well educated to practice this.

    How to find good marijuana stocks? 

    The main problem is that most investors habitually don’t have access to adequate sources to estimate a company. But still, there are choices. For example, you can invest in ETFs. There you can find pre-selected marijuana stocks. 

    Teams of analysts paid the required attention and chose to add some companies in these ETFs. The other solution is to engage some advisors and stock pickers.

    Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind that marijuana stocks are volatile.