Downdraft

For the year 2000 we have seen hundreds of mutual funds lose 40%, 50% and more of their value. This does not seem right since the fund is supposed to be managed by a professional. How can this "professional" do such a bad job? More than half of the funds this year will not out perform the S&P500 index which closed down about 10%.

What is going on?

When you put your money in a mutual fund you are supposed to be hiring someone who knows how to make money. He should be able to do a better job than you. But he has not. If this person worked for me I would fire him. You don't hire people to lose money for you.

Now that you have fired this bum let's examine why he did such a poor job (pun intended). Each mutual fund has one or more analysts who are supposed to be able to determine if the stock of a company is a good buy. That means will it go up?

These so-called analysts do the kind of research that Wall Street says is necessary before purchasing a stock. Yes, they do all the standard things that anyone can do such as determine company growth, profit margins, P/E rations, cash flow, etc., etc. They get all that wonderful information from Morningstar and apply statistical analysis you and I would never think of. And when it comes right down to it what do they have? You can research something until you are blue in the face, pile on information upon information, but there is one thing all this nonsense will not tell you. Will the stock go up?

The kids who do this analysis (sorry, kids, you're only a man when you pick a winner) have an agenda. For the fund-type analyst he wants to find a stock that will not go down because that hurts the fund manager who gets paid not by performance but by the amount of money he can keep in the fund. He gets to skim his percentage off the top every year and never has to make the investor any money. Like paying someone to mow a parking lot.

Let me give it to you in plain language. Fund managers don't know how to be wrong. It is OK to be wrong, but when they have picked a dog and it starts down they refuse to get out to preserve capital. There is no excuse for any mutual fund to lose 30% or more of its capital. They only know how to buy and hold. Many times there is nothing to buy and cash is the only good position, but they don't seem to understand that.

When I was a floor trader on the exchange I was only right about 40% of the time, 20% I got out even and 40% I took a hit. When I was wrong I ran, did not walk to the nearest exit. Losses must be kept small. These money managers have never learned that basic rule. In one of the Woody Allen's movies he was asked what he did for a living. He said, "I am a money manager. I manage peoples money until it is all gone." Does that sound like your fund manager?

Isn't it time to find a fund that is going up?

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.

http://www.mutualfundmagic.com; 1-888-345-7870

recurring maid service Wilmette ..

In The News:

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Downdraft

Stocks & Mutual Fund