Is it over?

All of a sudden I am seeing an increase in  articles and commentaries in some daily newspapers about the the vulnerability of the Phil stock market. In fact, one even had it as a banner editorial.The irony is that this sell off was triggered amid the headlines of the 7.8 GDP growth.

The funny thing is that only a few weeks back the story was generally " Go ! Go! Philippines" . Don't get me wrong I am all for the "Philippine Miracle". We deserve it specially our  marginalized countrymen.

What is my point? Simply stated in the stock market  or markets in general don't take everything you read, hear and see as the infallible truth that will take markets sky rocketing into outer space. I am not saying that what is out there is  fabricated news not at all.  If you get carried away by the bullish news and hype of how great things are  then don't be surprised if you get caught in a downward spiral. You know what? Stock prices also go down and can stay down longer than we can emotionally handle. I recall a joke I heard in an investors forum many years ago -" Long-term investments actually  start out as short -term bets until they turn sour and Mr Investor cry's out loud "Not to worry I will hold it and include it in my collection of long term investments". Sounds familiar???

To all I say again- "Get educated and learn to make your own decisions. There is no one out there no matter how noble of intentions who will take care of your hard earned money more than you will."