bulls

Buying Stocks – The Bulls and The Bears

If you have been thinking about buying stocks, chances are that you have spent some time reading up on the market and perhaps watching any one of the many market-oriented programs on cable TV these days. you have probably heard the words bulls and bears used in relation to the market at different times, and may have even wondered what they mean, and how those terms might impact your success as an investor.

The terms bulls and bears are used by investors, brokers, and outside analysts and observers in an attempt to capture in a word the general ambiance and mood of the market over any given period of time. whether you are merely follow the stock market on the news, or are buying stocks as part of your investment strategy, you will hear these words used on a frequent basis.

The word bull refers to a so-called bull market. during a bull market, the economic activity of the country is brisk, job growth is high, and the markets rush forward like a charging bull. It is easy to choose winning stocks during a bull market, as most stocks rise at least somewhat. you will often find many people who have no knowledge of the market buying stocks toward the end of a bull market – which leads many of them to lose their investment when the market suddenly turns south.

As you might have guessed, that’s when the bears come stomping in. Bear markets are seen when the economy slows, unemployment begins to rise, and stock prices fall. Buying stocks in the midst of a bear market is more complicated than during the boom times, but many savvy investors still manage to make money during these times through short selling. others merely swallow any losses suffered at the end of the bull market and wait out the bear market, only buying stocks again when it appears that the bulls are prepared to resume their run.

Recognizing the start and end of these two market types before they occur is one of the secrets used by some of the most successful investors – who always seem to be buying stocks and selling them at the most opportune times. For the rest of us, learning to chart a sensible investing path through the bulls and bears usually has to suffice.

Jarrod Sammut praises Bradford Bulls fundraisers

Bradford half-back Jarrod Sammut says the help the club has had in raising £506,000 shows rugby league is "the greatest game of them all".

Sammut, who will miss eight weeks with knee ligament damage, praised the "good heart" of those who helped keep the club in business.

"Credit and a round of applause goes out to them," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It's a big ask. We probably would not be in the position we are now without that support."

he added: "this shows that rugby league is the greatest game of all and it's a really big family sport.

"It shows the passion and love with Bradford Bulls and that we're going to be around for a long time. With the support we've been getting the days are looking brighter."

The money raised represents just over half of the full amount needed to keep the club afloat, but £494,000 is still needed.

Sammut admits the players harboured doubts about the Bulls' long-term future since the announcement that they were in financial straits.

"at the end of the day you think, 'I hope I still have a job', but there are other things that we needed to focus on," he said.

"The last thing you want to hear about your job is that it's in jeopardy.

"all the lads have been really positive and we've tried to keep that side of things away from what we need to be focused on: playing rugby, making sure we're doing the little things right at training, keeping ourselves physically fit and making sure our minds are switched on."

Having been involved with Crusaders' withdrawal from Super League last year due to financial problems, Australian Sammut believes he can learn from that experience.

"It's like lightening won't strike twice in the same area but unluckily for me it has.

"I think that being in a similar position before I can just let it go over the top of my head and not let it get me down too much."