Title: Market Problems? Blame Investors
Headings: Market Problems? Blame Investors
Market Problems? Blame Investors
Key Takeaways
Following the Crowd
We Can't Control Everything
Holding Out for a Rare Treat
Xenophobia
A Handy List
The Bottom Line

Content: The market (or stock) starts taking a downturn and people act like it's never happened before. Symptoms include a lot of blaming, swearing, and despairing. Regardless of the losses you take, you start to get out before the market wipes out what's left of your retirement fund. The only cure for this is a level head. If you did your due diligence, things will probably be OK, and a recovery will benefit you nicely. Tuck your arms and legs in and hide under a desk as people trample their way out of the market. We Can't Control Everything
Although it is a must, due diligence cannot save you from everything. Companies that become entangled in scandals or lie on their balance sheets can deceive even the most seasoned and prudent investor. For the most part, these companies are easy to spot in hindsight (e.g., Enron ), but early rumors may be ignored by even the most vigilant of investors. Even when a company is honest with an investor, a related scandal can weaken the share price.