terry hallinan: Not sure what you are disagreeing with, stocks like IBM aren't "junk", but certainly can be up and down depending on their quarterly reports and outlook. If I bought IBM at $99, I made a "bad" investment (now at $77). Bottom line, cut losses at a certain percentage, and take profits at a certain percentage, generally speaking, I guess. I haven't been able to stick to that approach, and in volatile markets like now, the "losers" probably would outweigh the "winners" and eat away the funds.
If you and I can figure out the best approach, we will get rich! If you are already rich from the stock market, please share! LOL!
Cash is King until further notice!!!
My comments on companies are usually my opinion of long term success (years). The PPS may go up or down greatly in the meantime depending on the number of greedy suckers with money.