Poll: Up or Down for 2005?

[dmk112]

I just wanted to get a feeling how everyone is doing thus far this year (Starting Jan 1, 2005). Myself, I haven't been picking many "winners" and wondering it's just me.

[Websman]

I've only bought two stocks so far this year. AAI and LU. Thankfully I only took small positions and cut my losses short on both. I'm staying in cash until I find the right opportunity.
I did great last year with SIRI and DHB and had a very good year overall, but I could have done a lot better if I would have traded less, so I'm trying to be more patient this year. I think the market is setting up for some real buying opportunities and I hope to take advantage of it. So far, I'm just a fraction below break even for the year.
I'm glad I don't rely on trading for a living or I'd be real stressed out right now...LOL

[Websman]

Oh yea, great idea for a poll!

[stenzrob]

I'm down about 2.5% for the year so far, ENTIRELY due to the disastrous report with horrible guidance from SWIR. Otherwise, I would be up about 2.5%. Note the effect of diversification here: On 1 Jan, SWIR opened above $17.50. I sold it after hours after their TRASH report for $9.85 on 26 Jan for almost a 50% loss on that one position. And yet, it only affected my total return by 5%. On the other hand, PRFT is right now 60% of my portfolio - a disaster or a breakout will clearly have a much larger effect on total performance.

By way of comparison, the nasdaq opened 1 Jan at 2185, and is now at 2031, a loss of about 7%. The S&P500 is down about 1.8%. I figure anyone down less than 5% for the year should feel pretty darn good about themselves.

[Websman]

I figure anyone down less than 5% for the year should feel pretty darn good about themselves.

I agree...

[jiesen]

I blame FDA for my misfortune

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=LJPC&t=5y

twice disappointed (so far)

They're willing to let a drug know to be harmful (Vioxx) go back on the market before they'll let a drug shown to be completely safe and likely to save lives (Riquent) enter the market.

[IIC]

I voted 16%+...but that is not really true...My short-term account is +18%...but there is a lot less money in that one than my other longer term accounts. My longer term accounts are in the broke even to +5%...mainly because WITS...by far our largest holding is only +6.2% and a few others are not so hot...Overall with everything, I'm really in the 6-15% range.

[Jaws57]

I am up 0.90%. Mostly because of my 401k which I can only choose between 10 mutual funds and my company's stock (Lowe's). This is probably a good thing since I tend to leave it alone and not try to time anything.

My acct with Scottrade I am down almost 10%. Mostly from SIRI.

My closed deals I am 0-3. But they were minor less than5% losses.

Jaws57

[canaveraldan]

I got whacked on DHB and EBAY. EBAY was the worst. Instant -10%. Instant meaning within 4 hours of purchase. Now I find myself once burned twice shy.

Dan

[dmk112]

So like Gary K. would say "it's a split tape" it seems... Hopefully we'll get a real rally soon, I'm sick of this up/down/down/up action...