Tag Archives: psychology

The psychology of Market Meltdowns

Why would I want panic in markets?  It’s the first step towards recovery (but not the last). A true market meltdown (if this is one) starts with panic – and we’re not there yet. The following is a direct quote … Continue reading

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Facebook and yes; looks matter more than reputation

Our love of good stories often biases our decisions, which is evidenced by the scrambling to buy the Facebook IPO despite the fact that there’s virtually no concrete financial data to justify the price of the business (if it is even … Continue reading

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Behavioural psychologists DON’T understand investment industry.

Most people would agree with the following statement by celebrated behavioural psychologist Daniel Kahneman – from his best selling book describing new insights into how good and bad decisions are made: “Why do investors, both amateur and professional, stubbornly believe … Continue reading

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Money Flows and Regulatory Overkill!

I was reading an interesting article about the U.S. JOBS (Jumpstart our Business Act) which in effect begins to unwind some of the so-called “investor protection” constraints imposed by the excessive reactionary measures contained in the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank laws.  … Continue reading

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Spread for RISK narrowed; as predicted!

You might recall that in December I posted the adjacent chart, recommending that the spread between equity yields and treasuries was “NUTS” and a narrowing of the spread between more risk and less risk would favour stocks.  It remains in … Continue reading

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Is the market on thin ice?

This morning I read this in a note from a trader friend of mine: “Activity still too mixed to suggest we’re going higher – like walking on ice – you don’t know when it will crack so I would prefer … Continue reading

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Gold & the gold stocks – the Great Divide!

I heard an analyst on a business talk show say that the price of gold (just north of $1600) is not being reflected in the prices of gold stocks.  No kidding!  He figures the stocks are being priced as if … Continue reading

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Time to Buy? Stocks, Commodities & Television.

I was inspired this morning watching a business television interview.  A fund manager was suggesting that it’s probably a good idea to sell stocks and sit on some Treasury Bills or other cash equivalent.  Isn’t this exactly what I’ve said?  … Continue reading

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