To: Jane4IceCream who wrote (2986 ) 1/2/2001 6:03:10 PM From: Dave Gore Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 3664 That's smart. Most investors should average into the Market. Some thoughts and stocks: First thing: too many think they can make money easily like the "old days". It ain't so and there are lots of day or swing traders losing big money that should not even be in the Market or should change their approach totally. It is especially difficult if you are working with your IRA account funds and therefore cannot short stocks. The only smart thing that people can do who are not avid and experienced chart readers and/or fundamental analyzers, imho, is to start to slowly average into solid companies that have already been beaten down like to reasonable levels like EXDS, SLR, FLEX, EMC, perhaps even LRCX or ADPT (extremely low PE's) or AOL. Perhaps SUNW, TYC, AMAT, GLW, NT or even MOT soon, too, although I would like to see them a bit cheaper and would probably hold off on these until after earnings. I think LU is pretty safe here, but think it may move sideways for awhile and has some things to prove. WCOM is a bit safer since it's Book Value is around $17, I believe, but probably not that exciting. We'll see if the momentum continues. In this environment, either stocks must have cheap or reasonable PE's and/or be a leader in extremely high growth areas like EMC, EXDS and AOL are. Buying a second tier name makes no sense to me. And by the way, in the interest of diversification, it also means that names that have done well like NBR (in the Nat. Gas sector) could still be bought, as could FNM in the financial sector, although again it would be nice to see a bit more of a pullback. IMNX in the biotech sector could also be a good one as could BMY and others. I am definitely going to be holding some cash for the second half of the year as well. No point shooting your whole wad in the "iffy" first half.