CNBC becomes a parody of itself

cato · Post by **cato** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 4:51 pm

I flipped on CNBC today to hear an interview with one of this year's most succesful coin-flippers -- er, I mean market-timers. The interviewer was asking breathlessly about how he uses a combination of "technical" analysis and astrology. Yes, that's right, astrology. I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn't April and then waited for a punch-line. It never came.

bob90245 · Post by **bob90245** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:37 pm

“I'd compare stock pickers to astrologers . . But I don't want to bad-mouth the astrologers.”
--Eugene Fama

nisiprius · Post by **nisiprius** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:49 pm

Jan 20-Feb- 18: buy AQRCF (Aquarius Coatings)
April 20-May 20: buy TAUM (Taurus Minerals)

etc.

beardsworth · Post by **beardsworth** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:15 pm

And, of course, under this theory, anytime would be a good time to buy Zodiac (ZODFF).

http://www.zodiac.com/eu/

fundtalk · Post by **fundtalk** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:13 pm

Was it Paul "lazy portfolio" Farrell? Think Astrology and grow rich!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Astrology-G ... 82&sr=1-11

chaz · Post by **chaz** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:25 pm

I'm amazed that people bother watching CNBC. The OP must have a lot of spare time.

cato · Post by **cato** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:31 pm

chaz wrote:I'm amazed that people bother watching CNBC. The OP must have a lot of spare time.

Actually, it was on XM radio in my car. But, yes I have spare time since I retired 7 years ago at age 40, thanks to some succesful market-timing of my own.

heyyou · Post by **heyyou** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:31 pm

Astrologers will be right part of the time so they will make money part of the time.

It was the Pakistani butter market that was highly correlated to the S&P500.

Index Fan · Post by **Index Fan** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:42 pm

Never underestimate human folly...particularly after this year!

FrugalInvestor · Post by **FrugalInvestor** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:59 pm

A stopped clock is right twice a day. I say pick a strategy, any stragegy and stick with it. Eventually you'll be a hero!

chaz · Post by **chaz** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:59 pm

cato wrote:
chaz wrote:I'm amazed that people bother watching CNBC. The OP must have a lot of spare time.
Actually, it was on XM radio in my car. But, yes I have spare time since I retired 7 years ago at age 40, thanks to some succesful market-timing of my own.

I'm glad that you were a succesful market-timer. Most are not over the long haul.

cato · Post by **cato** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:10 am

chaz wrote:
cato wrote:
chaz wrote:I'm amazed that people bother watching CNBC. The OP must have a lot of spare time.
Actually, it was on XM radio in my car. But, yes I have spare time since I retired 7 years ago at age 40, thanks to some succesful market-timing of my own.
I'm glad that you were a succesful market-timer. Most are not over the long haul.

It wasn't *exactly* market-timing. One day in early 2000, I noticed that the .com company where I was one of the first employees was worth more than John Deere. John Deere had a 100-year record of profits. My company never made a dime. I sold the .com and bought John Deere.

SpringMan · Post by **SpringMan** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:44 am

I caught just a little piece of the CNBC show's guest. He made reference to some market direction activity changes often happening during full and new moon phases. I found it interesting, if not plausible. Maybe it is just the werewolf in me but IMHO the gravitational pull of the moon is as good of a theory as any other to attribute certain market behaviors.

Met Income · Post by **Met Income** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:09 am

chaz wrote:I'm amazed that people bother watching CNBC. The OP must have a lot of spare time.

As opposed to posting about CNBC on a message board? We all have some free time.

taxman · Post by **taxman** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:56 am

SpringMan wrote:I caught just a little piece of the CNBC show's guest. He made reference to some market direction activity changes often happening during full and new moon phases. I found it interesting, if not plausible. Maybe it is just the werewolf in me but IMHO the gravitational pull of the moon is as good of a theory as any other to attribute certain market behaviors.

I'll tell you first hand, I've quite a few friends that worked/work in a public safety sector or another. Full moons do do something to a % of the populace for some reason, not discounting market behaviors..thats many observations over the last 30yrs.