What I'm Doing & Why?

Hello. My name is Chuck Harkes. I am a self taught investor/speculator. Back in 1990 I gave up on investment real estate and developed a passion for learning about what makes the stock market tick and how I could profit from it. For many years now I have been successfully managing my own 401-k investments based on the knowledge and experience I’ve gained. This experience was never more valuable than in the fall of 2000 when most other advisors were suggesting to be fully invested in the stock market. Meanwhile, my methodology was telling me that not only was a correction likely, but that this correction could result in a steep or protracted bear market. Two years later the bear market did end, but only after many lost 40 – 50% of their retirement wealth due to placing their faith in well meaning but misguided advisors. In March, 2003 my methodology/system told me that the probabilities favored a substantial move up. The market did indeed rise over the next 4 ½ years. In November of 2007 my methodology again indicated a high probability of a substantial decline. The market did indeed decline, in percentage terms very similar but much faster than the previous bear market. In March of 2009 my methodology indicated a high probability of a substantial rise in the market. The stock market has been rallying ever since.

So what is the purpose of this blog? Quite simply, my heart is for people who needlessly lost too much of their retirement wealth. My plan is to post my analysis of the stock market on a weekly basis along with a chart which will either have a green arrow or a red arrow. A green arrow means the market direction is up and I’m fully invested in mutual funds in my 401-k. A red arrow means the market direction is down and I’m fully in cash. I will also show you in my next post a historical chart showing you the signals that have given me timely entry and exit points since 2000. What you do with this information is up to you. You may choose to take the same actions that I do or you may choose to follow along for a time to see if I’m for real. Whatever you decide you need to understand that I am not a licensed advisor. I am not offering advice. I’m simply showing you what has worked for me. For now I am offering it for free. My wife has been twisting my arm to charge for it. But I figure too many people have been burned by so called “experts” who earn a fee whether they win or lose. Let’s let them take a free peek for a while and judge the merit of what I do. From now on my weekly posts will be completed on Saturday. So you should plan on checking in late Saturday evening or on Sunday. I look forward to this journey and hope many of you benefit from it. Happy Easter everyone!