What are the arguments against index investing?

Discussion in 'ETFs' started by Sotnis, Feb 4, 2016.

  1. comagnum

    comagnum

    What are the arguments against index investing?

    Nothing wrong with investing in stock indexes as long as you don't put all your $ in at one time, better to carefully layer in over time or via averaging in each pay period through a work plan.

    You may want to learn how to trade around a core position.







     
    #51     Sep 27, 2017
    ironchef and murray t turtle like this.
  2. Truth_

    Truth_

    250M = 250k .... apology for using an antiquated format from the banking industry
     
    #52     Sep 28, 2017
  3. %%
    I like Jim Cramer even if this never happened- ''BAC is going to $60 in a heart beat ''LOL Overall a good video, market UP trends/bull markets most of the time. DO not try that in a bear market; even though more than a few strong stocks go up ,in a downTrending bear markets.
    I remember his Cramer Hedge Fund recommendation on cover of IBD book ''24 Lessons.....'':caution::caution:
     
    #53     Sep 29, 2017
  4. yiehom

    yiehom

    S Klarman, margin of safety:

    Indexing is a dangerously flawed strategy for several reasons. First, it becomes selfdefeating
    when more and more investors adopt it. Although indexing is predicated on efficient
    markets, the higher the percentage of all investors who index, the more inefficient the markets
    become as fewer and fewer investors would be performing research and fundamental analysis.
    Indeed, at the extreme, if everyone practiced indexing, stock prices would never change relative
    to each other because no one would be left to move them.
     
    #54     Oct 1, 2017
  5. luisHK

    luisHK

    That sounds very much true, some good discussions on this forum btw on asset allocation.
     
    #55     Oct 1, 2017
  6. luisHK

    luisHK

    Indeed, that s why asset allocation gets time consuming, while still not guaranteeing profits.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
    #56     Oct 1, 2017
  7. luisHK

    luisHK

    Top level scientists we get at ET. Did you work at MIT ? as temp assistant janitor ?
    What are the odds of finding another stock on the second day that would offer similar returns ? Than reproduce your monday gains 22 days in a row ?
    By your same logic, this should tell you immediatly that active trading is silly.

    That was conclusive, you should stop beeing so modest and award yourself a Fields medal.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
    #57     Oct 1, 2017
    d08 likes this.
  8. Arnie

    Arnie

    I advise all of my young friends and family to invest the bulk of their money by dollar cost averaging into a blue chip index.
    Over the long term indexes will move up. Unlike a stock, they can't go to zero. They are constantly replacing the laggards with new co's.
    Very few have what it takes to invest in individual stocks and beat the market, much less match it.
     
    #58     Oct 3, 2017
  9. qxr1011

    qxr1011

    one should not confuse parking money with investing

    most people do not invest they just park money

    some of them park money in index...

    investing on the other side is speculation on value

    one has to have a method of constantly assessing the value in order to find the undervalued instrument , invest in it and constantly asses its valuation, and then to sell it when the valuation picked or when the expectations of the valuation's growth are no longer valid

    if investing in index is done with the working method at hand then nothing wrong with it, otherwise its just park and pray type of game for looser and suckers:)
     
    #59     Oct 3, 2017
    themickey likes this.
  10. stick with the indexes. At least you always know where the index is heading. Same can't be said for stocks
     
    #60     Oct 3, 2017
    pinkman likes this.