A worldwide maelstrom of cutthroats

The stock market can be a worldwide maelstrom of cutthroats who will cut you off at the knees without the slightest hesitation. Right now the general public's perception of the stock market seems to be that it's too risky and that you'll lose money. That is probably correct.

Unless a person is willing to do their own research and analysis, they can get burned big time in the stock market. If your broker makes money every time that you buy or sell stock, regardless of whether you made a profit or not, then don't expect your broker to keep you from making a bad investment decision.

During the 15 year bull market that started in the early 1980's and went until the late 1990's, it seemed that the stock market just went up and up. That's because we were in a secular bull market. Now we've had the dot com bubble and the housing market bubble, and we're probably in the beginning of another bubble forming. All just part of a larger secular bear market.

If a person invested money ten years ago in the stock market their stocks are worth the same amount today. But with interest rates near zero what is the average American supposed to do today? It's either the volatile stock market or the flatline savings accounts. Yes my savings account with Wells Fargo is FDIC insured, but it only pays .1%. CD's used to yield 5% or more and are now yielding 1%.

Average Americans think that professional money managers can get them a better return for their money, but that won't be a "sure thing" until we transition to a secular bull market. Until then, enjoy the ride up and get out before the bubble bursts again. Just trying to be optimistic.