Short-term volatility

 We've had a very hot March...historically hot, but I wouldn't say the market is following suit, and metals really took a break from the crazy times we were having at the last entry.  Silver is down like 40% from it's highs (I've already bought some back - a VERY quick turnaround),  The stock market is looking hesitant, to say the least.  It made a little progress since last entry, but gave it all back and we're about where we were.  The war in Iraq isn't doing anything for the market, mainly because of how it is affecting gas prices.  It seems it is up quite a bit for a couple days in a row, and then it's down about the same for a couple days.  I don't know if this kind of volatility is a warning of the beginnings of a new bear market or what.  There is a lot of grumblings that the market is getting ready to really take a long-term dive, but those have been going on for the better part of the year.

I'm just doing what AIM tells me to do.  Some accounts, it's still telling me to sell stock; in other accounts, it's telling me to sit tight.  I have a feeling I'll be starting to buy stock again if this keeps up.

Another Year

 It's crazy to me that we've made it through a quarter of this century. Strange how time catches up with you.  

I don't see a whole lot different in the market from last entry.  What I do notice is where metals are going.  Gold keeps hitting new highs, and now silver has followed.  It's not to the crazy highs gold has hit, but as silver goes, it's pretty high.  Silver, seemingly, can't really keep up with gold on a percentage basis.  Actually, that makes it a more relaxing vehicle to invest in.  I use an ETF in my son's account that more than doubles the volatility of silver.  It's called AGQ.  I've only got three securities in his account - one a stock that does have a good dividend, percentage-wise, but it doesn't move very much.  The other two are ETF's - one tracking technology stocks, and the other the silver one.  It works well for AIM, because I don't have to worry about the ETFs ever going in the tank completely (unless the shit really hits the fan, and we all know that we would have worse things to think about if that ever happened.)  Both of those ETFs are extremely high right now - I've practically sold all of the silver - just a little left in case it continues to go up.  Recently it's been showing some weakness, though.  I have a feeling it might finally start to come back down.

Meanwhile, a lot of stock has been getting sold in the other accounts.  Just like silver, there's still some shares left to continue should the market keep going, but the cash pile keeps growing as well for when (not if!) we have a correction, or even a sustained bear market...

My account hasn't changed - still the same stocks as last time.  

I did get a little antsy with my older son's accounts and found a company that within the last year had a HUGE spike.  Just a small bet that it may happen again..The company seems fairly healthy, and in an industry that itself can be pretty volatile (the gaming-betting industry).  Both of their accounts were being a little flat for my taste and for what AIM really needs.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a nice New Year - talk to you in the Spring!