Just another grim week

Markets can't attract buyers in a meaningful way. In 2+ months, Dow has dropped an astounding 3K, but has leveled off with a floor of 8K. Last week, it hit that floor & bounced up 800 on Thurs PM. But that didn't hold, the Dow ended the week down about 450, ugh:


Dow Jones Industrials --- 3 months






Yield issues can provide comfort as long as dividends hold (or are increased). However, market bets are very ugly, assuming the worst. The high yield securities with proven track records of paying & preferably increasing divs should give comfort during a period which can drag on for months & months. Some of the highest yields are with MLPs, REITs & high yield (junk) bond funds. Even regular companies with excellent track records routinely offer 3, 4 or 5+% yields.

Of the top 20 holdings at Charlers Schwab, all are down for the year. The best are Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) & Procter & Gamble (PG), 2 Dow stocks, each down less than 20%. The others are down 21-68%. Among the many problems markets are facing, tax loss selling in the next few weeks will be just another.