Thursday, July 25, 1996
Elaine? You There?
by MF Health

Word came this week that market maven Elaine Garzarelli is bearish on the market. Ugh! Considering that my personal portfolio has been getting badly bruised in June and July, this news doesn't sound comforting. At least on the surface. But, then again, I don't try to time the market. Not me. Couldn't care less, frankly.

I do the boring stuff, instead. You know ... fundamental stock analysis? It works better during bull markets, naturally. But, by and large, it's brought me solid returns throughout the years.

So, you hang in there, Elaine. There's a lot more you have to worry about. I mean, I don't have a boss to stand over me, or clients demanding my latest analysis. I answer only to Quicken. Feels pretty good, too.

And, when you get right down to it, Elaine, I'm probably a lot less "plugged in" than you are. There aren't reams of macro-economic research cluttering my desk. Not once have I had cocktails with Peter Lynch or talked shop with George Soros. I'm just stuck in Middle America, watching the Nightly Business Report on PBS. It's okay, though. I'll be fine.

And, Elaine, I didn't pop for your newsletter when the ad came in the mail last week. Thought about it, but I couldn't justify paying for your directional market calls. It's probably a mistake, but I really like just doing individual stock valuation. Time will tell if I made a good decision.

By the way, Elaine, do you use Quicken? I was just thinking that you and I could compare our portfolio returns. You know ... mano a mano? Quicken will do all the calculations for us. How's that sound? Elaine? You there?

Transmitted: 7/25/96