If you include dividends those who bought in 1997 would be ahead by over 20%, which is worse than a savings account, but still gains nevertheless.
Quote from nravo:
Who looks at Buy and Hold over a 10-year period, unless you accept a good chance of losing money? Do a Monte Carlo analysis.
If you get up to 20-25 years, then maybe you have to agree that buy and hold the SPY would come out ahead -- most of the time.
My recommendation if you just want to buy and hold.
You have to, at the start, commit to 20 years to be 100% SPY. If you have less time at the start, reduce your portfolio 's SPY exposure by 5% for every year less, 75 percent if you have 15 years, for instance. You may or may not beat the market, but you reduce the risk that you will lose money, possibly a substantial amount, in absolute terms.
And if you are only interested in absolute, but bonds and cash for 20 years.
Quote from pathus21:
The problem is what is the average American to do? A guy who is a professional such as a Doctor or Lawyer does not have the time nor the inclination to manage his own investments. If buy and hold doesn't work, what is the best way to invest?
Quote from libertad:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily...s_top+news+index+-+temp_dialogue+with+readers
Unless one likes to lose 50% of their money over a 10 year period....
Mr. ¨Vanguard¨does not look so smart afterall....
Excuse me? Forces you to sell high and buy low?Quote from pathus21:
I think the answer might be a portfolio of multiple asset classes that is then rebalanced yearly or bi-yearly.
I am not exactly sure who pioneered this strategy or what it is called but seems to make sense to me. It forces you to sell high and buy low.