Fund picks and pans stocks

bookbyte says:

From the tone of your question, it sounds like you have taken on more risk than you can tolerate. That indicates that you are probably in the wrong investments. If you did not do this when you bought your funds, its time to consider why you should won these investments, and what catalyst will cause you to sell.

Each or your funds is reacting to slightly different catalysts.
1;) alternative energy index: This fund will tend to move with the price of crude oil. Crude has fallen back down to the $90 level. Its fairly normal for oil to sink as we approach the end of the heating season, then pick up again when the summer driving/hurricane season starts. If you believe the long term trend for energy demand and oil prices is up, just ride it out and keep this fund. If you believe that oil has peaked and will continue to fall, sell.
2.) total stock index: the general market has been down since the beginning of a year. Most technical analysts are now saying we are in a bear (down trending) market. If you have a short time frame (less than a year), sell on an up day. If you have a longer time frame, ride it out.
3.) International stock index: Most of the world markets have been experiencing a pull back. Pull backs are normal and expected. I f you believe that the worldwide expansion is intact, hold on. If you believe we are heading into a worldwide slow down, get out.

redstake69 says:

RIGHT NOW i would say no that market will turn around you have lost anything yet because you havent sold them once you sell then you lose money. We are heading toward a recession but i think the feds will help so we dont say 4 months or so then the market will slowly work its way back. Investors are panicking now if you look at the volumes traded it is crazy. Sit back and relax it will get better

Steven C says:

Thank you Kandy S.

We are in a danger zone decline which has historically been late 2007 and usually ended a month or two after it began. This market is overvalued overbought and overextended.

The U.S. dollar is declining and will decline further if Bush institutes the refund to tax payers (his stimulus plan)(adding $$$ declines a dollar).

We may actually have a 35% or greater decline in the mkt. which started to decline in November.

Many investors are moving their $$$ to Gold, Precious metals, Natural Resources. As soon as the mkt. bottoms would be a great time to add new positions or add to existing positions to these funds.

Historically the 8th year in a decade has been the 2nd best return in the mkt. (5th year was 1st)
Gold and other similar sectors are expected to do extremely well for several years however it will be an up and down ride.

Hold On.

newjerseyguy says:

If you panic in a downturn and bail out (like most amateurs do), you will come out worse off than staying for the long term. You haven’t "lost" anything if you haven’t sold yet.