The U.S. stock markets are bouncing all over the place in the first month of 2014.
Many of my Minnesota clients are having a hard time paying attention to their stock and bond market investments right now. Even their company 401(k) retirement plan accounts are in need of a review.
The snow and the cold have made for a brutal winter. Schools are having a hard time staying open. How can individual investors be expected to stay on top of their personal business?
The world we live in fills us with constant distractions on a daily basis. Cell phones, the internet, and television all compete for our attention every minute of every day.
Add in family, work, school, and friends who constantly need our time. This weekend there is even a Super Bowl and great television commercials to watch.
The U.S. stock markets are likely at an inflection point now. The risk level of owning stocks in any investment account now has gone up.
Take a minute over the Super Bowl weekend to go online. Open your most recent account statement envelope. Then take a hard look at what your current stock market exposure is now.
You very likely own one or more stock market investments that need your attention now.
The investment year of 2013 was great. All your stock market investments should be multi-year highs. That is exactly the reason that you should pay close attention.
You have stock market investments that have lagged the popular stock market averages. It may be a good time to think about selling those investments and locking in the investment gains.
Preserving your stock market gains is part of a good long-term investment management plan. You can always reinvest those gains in better stock market ideas at a later date.
Instead of checking your twitter or facebook account every few hours this weekend, use that time to review your stock market investments. It may not be as much fun, but it will make you feel better. Your stock market investments will thank you.
Ric Lager
Lager & Company, Inc.
