Three keys to safety

Article Excerpt

Many investors fear that today’s market turmoil indicates that we are headed for a new dip in economic activity — the second part of the widely predicted “double dip” recession. However, while a renewed economic slide is a possibility, I don’t expect to see it happen. My view is that the economy is stagnating because of uncertainty over the outlook for deficits, tax increases, regulatory changes and so on. Once that uncertainty clears up, I expect a new rise in the market. A further setback is always possible, but if it happens, I think it will end by sometime this fall. I strongly doubt that it will turn into anything like the market plunge of 2008-2009. Of course, nobody can consistently predict market trends. That’s why, instead of focusing on vague worries about the economy, safety-conscious investors are far better off continuing to stick with our three-part portfolio-building philosophy: 1. Invest mainly in well-established, high-quality companies with a record of sales and earnings, if…