Lets say you bought the dow in 2001. You are just now up 6 or 7%. So you made 1% a year. You are just now getting back and above even.
Now factor in inflation and where are you. A big loser. (not you, your investment).
Investments need to be analyzed in relative terms. If the dollar loses 32% of it’s value in the same time your investment got back to even then you lose. (using dollar index for this)
I believe the german stock market made advance through its hyper-inflationary period. You couldn’t really buy anything with the marks at the end but you were “up” on your investment.
I don’t think its so much a collective bearish view here. I believe people are realizing that things aren’t right and in need of confirmation/answers/whatever.
