Picking On Headlines

This will be the first of many posts where I criticize headlines. I know writers don’t pick their headlines, so this is in no way a critique of their content. But it is a full-blown critique of the editors.

Here goes.

First, from Marketwatch.com on November 16th:

The stock market faces big questions about the economy this week. How to be strategic as delayed data comes out.

The stock market isn’t a suspect. It doesn’t face questions. And what’s the difference between a question and a big question, by the way?

The stock market is a place where willing buyers and sellers trade. Let’s dissect those two words. Stock, as in shares of a company. Market, as in a place people go to buy and sell things.

Strategic in what, exactly? Reacting is not an investment strategy. Enduring volatility is.

Second, from The Globe and Mail on November 15th:

Four questions for a topsy-turvy market.

See above. Markets don’t have questions. Investors do.

The headline isn’t fair to the piece. A better headline would be Four questions to ask about your portfolio.

Third, from the Financial Post on November 14th:

These are the TSX stocks analysts say are poised to gain from Carney’s Round 2 of nation-building projects.

No one can predict the future. Especially not financial analysts.

Wouldn’t the stocks already have gained if they are already poised to gain from Carney’s Round 2 of nation-building projects?

And if you’re investing in businesses, not governments, why would you want to invest in a company contracted to the government? Governments tend not to be good customers.

Successful investors ignore headlines. That’s why they’re successful.