Some investors apparently think it’s smart to take advantage of the increasing panic over the presidential election and sell off stocks before Election Day, then quickly reinvest after the election to pocket some easy profits, according to Pragmatic Capitalism‘s Cullen Roche. Well, that’s actually a really dumb idea, he explains. “Big political or entertainment events are usually not worth churning your portfolio over. All this does is try to time a highly uncertain event while guaranteeing that you’ll incur higher taxes and fees,” he writes in a blog post. “Timing the market is usually difficult, not only because your analysis has to be right, but you have to predict … when and how it prices in that analysis.”
collections
NewsletterCurrent IssueRecommender
The apps, books, movies, music, TV shows, and art are inspiring our some of the most creative people in business this month
Strong Female Lead
The struggles and triumphs of prominent women in leadership positions
Productivity
Productivity tips and hacks
Platform Wars
The major tech ecosystems that battle for our attention and dollars
Tech Forecast
What’s next for hardware, software, and services
Most Innovative Companies
Our annual guide to the businesses that matter the most
Most Creative People
Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways
World Changing Ideas
New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic system
Innovation By Design
Celebrating the best ideas in business
FastCo.Works Studio
An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens