BY PERRY BROTHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati broker Perrin Burse is sneezing -- and coughing -- at the stock market's volatility. This week, Mr. Burse has weathered a case of walking pneumonia to take part in the action.
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INVESTING TIPS
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Assess risk: Decide financial goals, which determines risk-tolerance.
Maintain a balanced portfolio: Allocate assets to meet your goals and review them at least yearly.
Dollar-cost average: Allotting a fixed amount toward regular stock or fund purchases will buy more when the market dips.
Don't panic: Examine key financial indicators before making a move to buy or sell.
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"I'm loving it. It's like going into Wal-Mart, and everything's 40 percent off. . . . I'm buying until I can't buy anymore," he said.
That's not the Nyquil talking. Many financial experts say in times of market turbulence, the best move for investors with the means is to buy, buy, buy.
A roiling Dow Jones Industrial Average has given investors a bad case of the jitters, especially after the Dow lost 300 points Tuesday.
Bull or bear, Chicken Little or Pollyanna, market predictions should take a back seat to calm, careful planning, Cincinnati advisers suggest.
"Advice? Stay put. Remain calm," said Don Westermeyer, a certified financial planner in Cincinnati.
That's what Bond Hill resident Mary Coleman is doing. A significant chunk of her retirement savings is invested in Procter & Gamble Co. stock, which gained ground Tuesday and Wednesday in the face of a turbulent Dow after a losing skein.
"It's dropped quite a bit, and I'm concerned," she said. "You go with the flow, there's always going to be downturns. You ride it out."
That long-term perspective is shared by some of the balanced portfolio clients of Rosemary Haddad, a senior financial consultant for Cincinnati's Merrill Lynch.
"The most important thing is to look at how you've allocated your money," she said.
Generally, advisers suggest that money needed within three years shouldn't be in stocks. Investors with a three- to seven-year horizon should buy conservative stocks, and those with an investment outlook of seven years or more need a mix of conservative and aggressive stocks.
"If they are in it for the long term, they're in the right place," said Mark Roberts, managing partner with Bull Group Advisors in Mason. "That's where they're going to make the most money."
