“New” New Year Resolutions
2014 was, in many ways, a very difficult market for investors. I say that because on many days during the year the market, as measured by the Dow Jones average or the S&P 500, moved to ever higher levels. As the market dances to new highs we tend to believe it must correct and come down. That mentality certainly kept some investors from putting more money in the market at the start of 2014. Those that chose not to invest in the S&P 500 in 2014 missed out on a 14% return. Of course investors should also be fearful of crashes. Oil rose to over $110 a barrel only to come crashing down to the mid $50 price in a matter of months. The markets can be volatile, and, as what one of my Wall Street trading buddies used to say, “The market will inflict the most pain on you when you least expect it.” Remembering those words at a time of year when we all do a little soul searching, I thought I would share with you my 2015 investment resolutions (the truth is these are my investment resolutions at the start of every year).
