Author: Tim Plaehn

Illustration of the crisis concept with a businessman in panic

When Will the Stock Market Crash Again?

During a recent early morning inbox check, I noticed an email subject bearing the question “Will the Stock Market Crash Soon?” With the major market indexes trading at record levels, fears are that the markets are due for a tumble. Plus, market crash headlines make great clickbait…but are they a valid reason to sell your […]

Leverage: It’s Why Portfolios Blow Up

Leverage: It’s Why Portfolios Blow Up

Last week, the forced unwinding of the Archegos Capital Management hedge fund put fears of a market collapse into investors’ minds. While it appears to have been an isolated case, the fund’s collapse vividly points out the dangers of using leverage to boost investment returns. Let’s discuss how excess leverage can turn declines in security […]

When Do You Sell Your Dividend Stocks?

When Do You Sell Your Dividend Stocks?

When it comes to money, humans primarily react to the emotions of fear and greed. The effect of greed is to push investors to buy when prices are high, and fear triggers selling when investment prices are low. For most stock market investors, the goal is to buy low and sell high, yet the emotions […]

Stocks to Buy When the Bull Market Fizzles Out

Stocks to Buy When the Bull Market Fizzles Out

Just over a year ago, the U.S. stock market bottomed out following a pandemic-triggered economic shutdown. From the trough, the major stock indexes marched steadily higher. In the 12 months following the bottom, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) gained 77%. The Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ), which tracks the Nasdaq 100 stock index, is up […]

Your Dividend Life Raft For Unsettled Markets

Your Dividend Life Raft For Unsettled Markets

The first two months of 2021 were marked by heightened stock market volatility. I am sure you watched the GameStop stock price game, where billions were made and then lost. Shares of high-flying Tesla (TSLA) have lost 20% in a few short weeks. For investors who bought at $900, looking at a $700 share price […]