Action Alerts Plus portfolio manager and TheStreet's founder Jim Cramer has learned a lot over his 30+ years of investing.
So he created a list of 25 Rules for Investing that can help you avoid the novice pitfalls that even he fell into on occasion.
Rule 25: There's Always a Bull Market I like to end every television show I have with this signoff: "There is always a bull market somewhere, and I will try to find it for you." I say that because it's true.
Something is always working!
Maybe it's gold -- so you buy best-of-breed Rand gold or the Gold ETF.
Maybe it's oil -- so you buy some Schlumberger or Chevron.
Maybe it's the chemical complex -- so you pick up some DowDupont.
I've seen moments where the only stocks in bull mode were in your supermarket or your medicine chest, stocks like PepsiCo or Merck.
Now, I know that might mean you have to do some trading.
It might mean that you may have to look further and harder than your time and your inclination allow.
That's OK, too.
What matters is that you don't simply default to what's in bear mode because you are time-constrained or intellectually lazy.
This is not just a criticism of do-it-yourselfers.
Many professionals also are stuck with the leg irons of the wrong tech stocks long after they should have.
If they looked around, they might have spotted a rotation into other stocks they can live with.
They might be able to come up with a stock that fits the thesis of what's going on behind the scenes - a Lockheed Martin for defense pick-up an XPO Logistics for the last mile of the service an Idexx Labs for the humanization of pets.
Just remember: There is always a bull market somewhere.
I will continue to end my shows with this tag line because it is vital for me to get you to think more opportunistically than the average investor does.
Oh, and by the way, it has the added advantage of being true.
For my almost forty years in the business there has always been a sector that works.
You just have to find it.
I know it and I would be honored if you will let me help you.
And stay tuned....one more of Cramer's Investing Rules left!
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And for more Investing Rules, watch these: Jim Cramer's Investing Rule 21: Be a TV Critic Jim Cramer's Investing Rule 20: Giving Up on Value Is a Sin Jim Cramer's Investing Rule 19: When the Chiefs Retreat, So Should You Jim Cramer's Investing Rule 18: Be Flexible