Boiler Room 7/17/00
On Friday or Saturday evening my wife gets a movie from Block Buster and after dinner we sit, hold hands and watch. This week she brought back one that I think every investor or anyone contemplating investing in the market should see. It is called "Boiler Room".
How many times have you been called out of the blue by some no-name broker who wants to make you rich provided you buy shares in this great new issue or some stock that is just about to "take off".
Usually they start off with do I remember he called me 6 months ago and recommended so-and-so issue that is currently in the news because it has gone up 100 or 200%. He did not make that call and if he had I am sure I would not remember it. Also the name of his firm is one I never heard of, but it sounds very legitimate and he might even say they are affiliated with Chase Manhattan Bank or some other big bank. They might have their checking account with that institution, but otherwise they have no connection with them. Now he has another recommendation that is going to do even better that that one. Yes, and pigs can fly!
If you haven't done so yet don't let him go any further. Hang up. Oh, I know you can't because your mother taught you it is rude to hang up on people. Please, this time DON'T listen to your mother. He will try to get you into a conversation by asking simple questions that must be answered with a "Yes". Stop listening. If you can't bring yourself to hang up then put the phone down and walk away. In 10 minutes he will be gone to call another sucker.
There really are boiler rooms out there selling worthless securities and everything they do is 100% within the law and 100% immoral. How do I know this? I used to own a brokerage firm and I received monthly reports from the regulatory agencies outlining charges against these shady dealers. Fortunately, I did not have those problems as I would not allow hype to open accounts.
The things being told on the phone are usually too good to be true and that is a fact. Do yourself a favor and rent that movie. Not all brokerage firms are like this, but remember my basic rule.
NEVER SEND MONEY TO A VOICE ON THE PHONE.
Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
Copyright 2005
More Resources
Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exitingMore Stocks & Mutual Funds Information:
Related Articles
Mutual Funds: The Modern Den of Thieves!
Mutual funds were created with the idea that one person can specialize and manage the investments of a large pool of money from multiple investors. Before the great depression mutual funds were called investment pools and mutual fund managers were called pool operators.
Bottoms Ups
If you have talked to a stock broker or financial planner in the last few days I will bet they all agree that there are some great bargains out there and now is the time to start buying in anticipation that the market will go back up. You will also find agreement from the talking heads on CNBC and those talk radio station stock mavens.
Good News?
As the man said, "I've got some good news and I've got some bad news. What do you want to hear first?" It was replied, "Tell me the good news first".
Performance Funds
Mutual funds are doing more and more to discourage investors from leaving them and taking their money to a better performing fund. What does better performing mean? It has nothing to do with who the manager is, what the expense ratio is or how well they performed over the past 5 or 10 years.
Different Ways of Buying Stocks
Let's say you are interested in this one company. You read its annual report, like what you see and your calculation indicates that the stock is trading way below its fair value.
Stock Investment Advice
Stock investment advice is easy to find. Do you get cold called by brokers with the latest investment tip? I have, as have countless others around the globe.
How to Make Big Money Safely in Stock Market
(1) Stock Market is Tough Place to Make Any Money ConsistentlyNASDAQ or SP&500 averaged about -6% per year for 5 years between 1999 and 2003. Many individual investors who made killing in the internet bubble period got wiped out during those 5 years.
What is a Trading Plan - and Why You Need One?
How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I am glad you asked..
Investing in the Stock Market - When To!
Is really not as important as to how you invest in the stock market. And how you invest in the stock market should take into consideration what goals you are setting for that stock market investment.
Stock Market Insanity
Let's first define insanity. It is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Online Broker Trade History Not Doing the Job
Let me start by saying that..
No Load Mutual Funds: Investment Hype vs. Investment Help
With the internet such a huge part of our daily lives, many investors have access to a wide range of instant investment information.Whether you're into stocks, bonds, mutual funds, futures or options, there are tons of electronic investment newsletters offering to turn your small stake into a giant fortune.
The Club
Yesterday I received my monthly issue of MONEY magazine. This issue has the special feature called "The Ultimate Investment Club" that highlights their picks for the top mutual fund managers.
Analyzing Growth Stocks: An Important Focus For Any Investor
Analyzing growth stocks is an important focus for any investor. This is especially important, since stocks are an irreplaceable part of any good investment plan, and since unbiased stock research is hard to find.
Box Of Chocolates
Ever have one of those sample boxes of candy? Each little piece is beautifully wrapped in colorful foil or decorated with an interesting design. Taste just one.
Protect Your 401K
Checked your 401K lately? Going back to about a year ago many of these retirement accounts have shrunk by 30%, some even more. What Happened?You have been putting money in for years and your employer may have been contributing to your plan also.
365/7/24
What does it take to be a stock trader? It takes a total mental commitment to the task. It becomes a complete way of life.
Are You A Stockaholic?
Today's society gives special recognition to alcoholics, sexaholics, binge-aholics, shopaholics, chocaholics and other "-aholics". What about stockaholics? Stockaholics are people who are overly obsessive about their stock market investments.
Basics of Stock Market
Financial markets provide their participants with the most favorable conditions for purchase/sale of financial instruments they have inside. Their major functions are: guaranteeing liquidity, forming assets prices within establishing proposition and demand and decreasing of operational expenses, incurred by the participants of the market.
Online Trading Strategy: Collecting Cash when Stocks Go UP - It PAYS to Know More than Others
When it comes to stock market trading it PAYS to have more knowledge than the rest of the pack. Pure gold can be harvested in each profitable trade that you accomplish.