Anyone here buy real stocks?

HappyHarry said: "You know, in real companies? Or am I alone? I'm much more interested in investing in companies that make and sell products rather than obscure symbols buried in the muck of the underground stock market."

scottigee said: "I ONLY buy real stocks.....(so far.) I believe in what you were saying on that other thread - about due diligence for places you put your money. I usually pick stocks that I can sit on."

misterjover said: "I hold real stocks and daytrade fake ones lol!!"

AlfredSokol said: "Man I used to. Until I went nuts lately :)"

MTM said: "[QUOTE=misterjover]I hold real stocks and daytrade fake ones lol!![/QUOTE] I would have to agree with this!"

scl789 said: "STZ i hold check that stock out"

HappyHarry said: "Constellation Brands. I understand they went up a lot because of Pinot Noir. I think this is a good company."

InvestorMan said: "[SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana]Harry, I thought you're mostly in cash right now, so, apparently even you don't buy stocks![/FONT][/SIZE]"

Airelon said: "Not really sure what you mean by "real" companies. ?? If I understand you, well . . . I would say it's a bit complicated. ;) Occasionally (very occasionally) I'll invest more and more into various companies. Redhat is one (RHAT) because I'm a firm believer in everything about them. Now for investing of that nature, I will invest when something really catches my eye, and I look to hold on to that stock for years. I think Redhat has been making some sound decisions. I adore everything about the OS (I'm an ex-network administrator for EDS) But on a day to day basis? No, on a day to day basis, I am a trader, not an investor. I believe there is a difference. Long term trading does not fit my personality on a day to day, week to week basis. Short term (2-5 day ideally) swing trading does. However my first and most step in investigating any trade is to take a look at the company. So if you're asking if I trade as many day traders do - merely off of symbols on the screen? No. After I look at all the fundamental analysis, then my screeners on the fundies, then I take a look at where they are. Their plan. Their competition. Everything I can get my hands on in a 2 day time period before I initiate the trade. Heck, I'll even turned down trades if I have moral objections to the business that the company in question is involved with. I don't mean to preach or anything, it's just "me" and my funny way of thinking, but I don't trade in anything having to do with porn, weapons, gambling, etc. The reason I bring this up is, again, not to preach, but to state that I just don't see "Symbols" to buy low and sell high, although I may be a short-term swing trader. I guess that's the long way (as I usually do) of saying: Yes and No. :)"

trickynick said: "I assume what HappyHarry means is to buy stocks with the idea that it is connected to part ownership in a company rather than just being some sort of lottery ticket denoted by some combination of letters. You can confirm or correct that, Harry, but if I understand you correctly then that is all I do. I buy most companies I buy with the idea that I will hold onto them for at least three years. I don't always, but that is my general time frame that I think in terms of when I buy. I sell when there is a change in circumstances that causes me to look at the company in such a way that I can no longer stand by the reasoning that caused me to enter into the position in the first place. From time to time I hear people talk about "exit strategy", my exit strategy is to know as well as possible why I bought it in the first place. That way it makes it much easier to know when to get out. I am not in the game for the super-big returns, which in most cases would imply that I am also not in the game for the big losses either. I rarely enter into short-term or speculative positions. My recent short of Google which I have talked about in another thread is a major exception to that. Normally I think shorting stocks is insane, but once in a great while I will acknowledge that even though something is insane I am just confident enough in it to believe that non-participation in the insanity in question will amount to lost opportunities. Plus, I must admit that enjoy the rollercoaster ride from time to time even though I get a little squeemish when imagining the worst that can happen. Highly speculative investing is not something I would want to have the bulk of my assets tied up in but there is something to be said for keeping your claws sharp. I liken it to baseball. You don't need to steal second every time you are on first but when you make sure you pick a good pitch to go on and don't hesitate once you commit."

HappyHarry said: "[QUOTE=trickynick]I assume what HappyHarry means is to buy stocks with the idea that it is connected to part ownership in a company rather than just being some sort of lottery ticket denoted by some combination of letters. [/QUOTE] Bingo. It seems like a lot of the people who pop in here and post are disconnected from what moves stocks in the first place."