Why timing the market is silly

After nearly fifty years in this business, I do not know of anybody who has done it successfully and consistency. I don’t even know anybody who knows anybody who has done it successfully and consistently. — Jack Bogle

One of the most dangerous thing you could do is try to time the market.

No one really knows which direction the market is going to turn. Be very skeptic of those who tell you otherwise.

The worst thing that can happen to someone trying to time the market is get it right in the very beginning. It makes you over confident in your ability, when in fact, most of it was just dumb luck.

When you try to time the market, your emotions will get hold of you.

Historically, the best time to buy will most likely also be the scariest time to buy. You are more likely to sell out when things look terrible and buy when things look great.

That’s why timing the market is silly — You can’t do it, and even if you try to do it, you are much more likely to be wrong than right.

Peter Lynch on timing the market

Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections, or trying to anticipate corrections, than has been lost in corrections themselves.

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