OK, I am getting into the personal investing game hardcore lately -- it has pretty much consumed me -- I don't even worry about dating beautiful women any more or staying in shape or curating my iTunes library... even though all three should remain priorities...
Making money for myself is too much fun. So what are the best stocks to own right now, in my humble opinion?
My favorite stocks to buy and own right now, in March 2010 and in April as well, are actually a blend of stocks and ETFs. Here are my top 3 picks:
iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV) - I dig this one because it is a precious metal, like gold, and is a great hedge against runaway inflation, in my non-professional opinion. And each share is significantly cheaper than with its counterpart gold ETF, which doesn't really matter, except that I think it creates a lower psychological barrier to entry... I think a lot of folks who buy gold and silver don't know what they are doing -- they are simply terrified of runaway government spending, high inflation, and the currency (the US dollar, that is) getting devalued and kicked in the nuts.
So, from that point of view, I think the scared folks will flock to this silver ETF, since it "appears" cheaper and "more reasonable" than gold.
SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) - Gold is always gold. As with the silver play, I think all this government spending -- especially if healthcare passes -- will scare heartland folks into buying as much gold and other precious metals as they can get their hands on. Just my guess, and I'm NOT a professional advisor or investor, so make your own calls. Plus, what I love about gold is that you will never lose all of your money, as with a risky tech stock or biotech. Gold will always retain some of its value, maybe even most of its value. It was in demand in ancient Roman times... and it's in demand today. It will never die, it will never become obsolete or "uncool" like some of yesteryear's tech companies or obliterated dot-coms.
Citigroup, Inc. (C) - Now this one's obviously a company stock, not an ETF. I think this is one of the best stocks to own or buy right now because I like a lot of the recent changes at Citi, I don't think the credit card market can get much worse than it is already, and I think huge mega-banks like Citigroup stand to profit big time if we get some sort of recovery going here in the US... which is what I'm betting on: a robust recovery, some people back to work, but inflation like crazy.
That's why I am trying to put as much of my money as possible into stocks, ETFs that make sense, and other investments. I want to load up while my buck is still worth something, before the dollar becomes monopoly money.
Just my opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em. I currently may own, or plan to own soon, shares of the companies and ETFs discussed here.
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