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How are you reacting to the year ahead?

Is it time to buy, sell or just hold on and hope for the best? Here's a sampling of what Times readers are thinking about the market and planning to do with their investments in the new year.

By Helen Huntley, Times Personal Finance Editor
Published December 30, 2007

Is it time to buy, sell or just hold on and hope for the best? Here's a sampling of what Times readers are thinking about the market and planning to do with their investments in the new year.

My mutual funds are diversified and I'm in them for the long haul. My "play money" of individual stocks is focused in gold mining stocks, which have seen a correction. If there's a market sector that has potential for the mid-term, it's these mining stocks. I also have some money in alternative energy stocks - solar energy in particular.

Mike Rosenthal, Clearwater

If my mutual fund comes back to break even, I will get out. I personally feel we are headed for a recession.

Mike Reilly, Largo

I do not worry about the market. If you try to outguess it or, worse yet, listen to a stock broker, then you deserve everything that is going to happen to you.

Marv Bachman, Clearwater

I plan to unload all or portions of some funds which have large capital gains and to invest that newly freed-up money in other places which are likely to outperform the market. I will be closely studying the market correlation of selected funds to see which have done well in both up and down markets.

Dick Trenk, Pinellas Park

I see trying times as buying opportunities. I can't wait until another CD matures to invest in the market. I always stay fully invested and have beat some of my brokers making money.

Mary Thomas, St. Petersburg

I expect a bear U.S.A. market and plenty of overseas opportunities. I am looking to invest internationally and in precious metals and energy.

Howard Harris, Tampa

I think we will see more of this roller coaster ride before there will be a bottoming out. I try to keep about 10 percent of my portfolio in interest-bearing cash to weather these storms. The rest is in managed funds and stocks with much diversification.

Kenneth Kastor, Seminole

I will sit on my cash until I see how this all shakes out. I don't expect to invest in any equities until late winter or the spring unless I see the stock of a proven great company valued at a very, very deep discount.

Tom Botelho, Seminole

I'm not making any changes in my investments. I don't have the time nor the patience to try and time the market. Utilizing dollar cost averaging, these dips should have minimal impact over the long run.

James Richardson, St. Petersburg

I think we are in for a roller coaster year in 2008.

Bill Murphy, Sun City Center

I am worried about 2008, mostly because of the housing market. It seems to be affecting everything! My broker seems positive, but I'm leery. I worry as a senior that things will get worse for us.

Helen McKay, Pinellas Park

I am expecting a broad decline in the markets and I hope to wring as much out of that as possible by a combination of holding high-yield, short-term cash and short selling. But I am being extra cautious as this market looks as dangerous as any I've seen in 40 years.

Tom Wood, Ocala

I am a buy-and-hold investor and plan to ride out the market's ups and downs as I have for more than 50 years. I do not believe that the downturn has seen its bottom. I think that 5 to 10 percent more is in the offing.

Bob Bucklin, Zephyrhills

My strategy is to hold onto my good picks, avoid financial stocks for now and be optimistic. The market is coming back.

Tom Higgins, Clearwater

I believe the stock market will continue to drop and the U.S. economy continue to slow. I plan to keep my money in "comfort stocks." To me, anything health care-related is worth a look.

David Miller, Temple Terrace

I'm optimistic. If Facebook goes public next year, as widely expected, I will be in line to buy a few shares.

Chas. Lehnert, Riverview

I am sitting on the sideline of the market. I currently like CDs and bonds. If you must put your money in the stock market, I recommend public utilities like water and electric due to the low volatility and high yields. Bear market: yes!

Jonathan Cleary, St. Petersburg

I am not in the market. I feel that with the banks losing all the money on high interest loans, the worst is coming soon.

Gil Weber, Spring Hill

I expect the market to have a great next three months ahead of the 2008 presidential election. I used the pullback to add positions in sectors that have been doing well like technology and the Internet. As a hedge, I also have been adding gold positions. I intend to be fully invested going into the first quarter of 2008.

John Jung, St. Petersburg

The vast volume of 401(k) money which comes in every month and must be invested in stocks or mutual funds has to exert a long-term upward pressure on the market.

Eric Rhodes, New Port Richey

I expect continued volatility in the market until the real estate crisis settles out. Lower property values and the high price of gas and heating oil combine to weaken consumer confidence. I don't anticipate a positive, lasting turnaround for at least another 18 months. I am keeping my well diversified stock and bond portfolio at its current 55 percent stocks and 45 percent bonds.

James Bedard, Palm Harbor

I have been saying for at least three months that we will see 11,000 on the Dow before 15,000. Five percent interest is looking better and better for now.

James Nannen, St. Petersburg

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 20:02:13]