Picking a stock… almost like choosing a spouse.

When the market is range bound, rising and falling alternately, when things seem dull and boring, when retail interest is missing, it is time for a lighter moment. So with that in mind, please read on...

Picking a ‘stock’ ... Its almost like choosing a ‘spouse’ (you can substitute ‘bride’ or ‘groom’ here).

When it is ‘that’ time...

There are those who will ponder :
Will he/she be Reliable? Dedicated? Truthful? Transparent? Responsible? Faithful? Trustworthy? Dependable?

Then there are those others who will wonder :
Is he/she Appealing? Youthful? Energetic? Healthy?

Then there are some more who will mull :
Will he/she take care for me? Comfort me? Live long? Mature with age? Still be attractive at old age?

A few will definitely investigate :
Does he/she come from the right family background? What is his/her status in life? Is he/she wealthy? Can he/she provide for me in case of ill-fortune? Will her family meddle in our affairs or stay out?

Yet others will analyse :
Is he/she Adventurous or Boring? Will he/she take risks? Will he/she provide me the thrills I seek? Will he/she deliver? Is there a way out if things don’t work out?

A few will consider :
Am I right for him/her? Am I too conservative/adventurous? Are we compatible? Will he/she satisfy my needs? Will I be able to satisfy his/her wants?

What a lot of questions... and what a lot of points to think about... when picking your other half... or when choosing the stock that is right for you.

One error and your life is messed up.

Some let their friends influence their thinking.
Just like one who takes decisions based on tips and rumours.

Some want a long relationship before they jump in.
Research and analysis is a must before some buy.

Some say no after the long relationship. Some lose the opportunity even while they analyse.
For some it is love at first sight. At times you buy without a thought, on impulse.

Who is right? Who is wrong? Only time will tell.
The marriage may work. The stock may rise.

You want to bet on this too.
Which is exactly why you have Futures and even Options.

Family Planning and Financial Planning are two sides of the same coin.

As you grow your family,
Its now time to expand the portfolio, to diversify.

On the other side there may be adultery and cheating.
Just like there may be price rigging and market manipulation.

Leading to divorce and alimony.
Akin to consent orders and disgorgement.

Going back to Picking a stock...
A stock in trouble may double.
But a wretched spouse will wreck the house.

Its easy to enter and exit the market, but marriage works differently.
And good lessons are learnt when you treat the stock market like your home.

And in both cases, you can’t live with it, and you can’t live without it.
Inflation poses hurdles to a comfortable domestic life necessitating market investments.

Make no mistake, take your time, think hard before you make your choice.
After that, stick to the choice you made with conviction and trust;
Unless there is reason strong enough to change the way things are.

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