Once again, there seems to be deliberate attempts to spook individual investors, and once again it seems to be working. When stocks open higher on great news and then get crushed, it has nothing to do with fundamentals. It works because the media soapbox afforded those pulling the strings, not that they need help; it's easy to move the crowd when you know how and have the right tools. The tools aren't high-frequency trading; it's the understanding that a small sell can trigger enough pressure where selling begets further selling and soon people are screaming as they run out the exit with huge losses as a consolation prize.

I've seen this so many times, and it never changes. People who declare themselves investors can't take the pain of being down a few days, or weeks, or even months. The irony is that they gravitate to the high beta names that move in wider swings than blue chip value names. Case-in-point: it's a shame how few of our subscribers own CAT or EOG: slow, lumbering names that are a better match for anxious temperaments.

The fundamentals are in place for much higher valuations across the board, including the hardest hit tech names. It's just a matter of whether people will hold, or be tricked into taking big hits. Admittedly, it's painful, but the pain is greater later on when stocks recover, although rationalizing poor past behavior is a universal skill set that most investors have.  I personally regret 85% of every exit call I've ever made.   We won't ask anyone to force the issue, but I would implore everyone to think like an investor and study the merits rather than getting crushed by the pros pulling the strings.

While you're at it, consider those who are always buying on big downside swoons: it isn't you or your buddy across the street. Hint: it's those dudes with the giant soapboxes.