I can't stand the stock market, I am constantly losing market value! Its getting so bad that almost all my stocks are going downhill...The bleeding just won't stop!

Every sector that I own is going down on a daily basis! Also, there was no 2008 New Year's Rally! I own Banks,Brokerage,Technology, Insurance and Retail are all undergoing prolonged price deteriation! I am fed up!

I want to move to something safer, so I read up on your annuities post, which really was very enlightening...Ok..my question is what is the best type of annuity that I should buy, and secondly, is it appropriate to buy in my pension account? Also, would there be any negative tax consequence upon withdrawal time.

Thanks..

I would recommend being invested in energy companies as they are the only ones with a sound future. I think peak oil is here Peak oil primer and links | EnergyBulletin.net | Peak Oil News Clearinghouse
Energy stocks did really well and probably are the only safe play in the market year on year. Dont buy them though if you cannot stomach the volatility. Energy trusts and MLPS are great choices too if you want income. Annuities IMO are useless as you have huge inflation risk as well as bankruptcy. AAA ratings dont mean much as you might have recently found out. FITCH rated some pretty junky stiff as AAA. The bond insurers too are in pretty bad shape. Outstanding investments is great newsletter that has done 30% plus yearly and has a pretty good grasp on the peak oil situation. Whether or not you invest in stocks is your choice but I would seriously recommend you stay away from annuities and get a grasp on the peak oil situation before you invest.

I would seriously not recommend annuities as they have inflation risk as well as risk of the person providing annuities going under. AAA ratings dont mean much.

Also I would seriously recommend that you understand the effects of peak oil before you invest. energybulltein has a good primer on it. I own energy trusts and stocks and had a decent year with 30% gain. Good luck.

I think US is in Recession and stocks will underperform in 2008! I would putmy surplus cash in bank CD and perhaps buy a little Gold as well.

Cash in Short Term CD will earn interest income that is porfolio income and subject to your regular income tax. But, at least you would not be speculating in the stock market.

I think Annuities are very profitable products for financial institutions along with higher commissions for their respective agents. So, I wouldn't invest in these products. Furthermore, I think the strategy of investing Annuities in a Qualified account doesnt make sense in my opinion! The earnings are always tax free in a Qualified account!!

I would only buy Annuities in my non-qualified accounts. Also, I would stay clear of the stocks at the moment, it really looks like we are entering a period of uncertainty that looks more like a Recession.

I don't the $3,000 capital loss deduction!

Thanks for all your comment! This week was another dreaded day in the market, I almost sold my position to take the tax loss! But, sanity prevailed, where else can I invest?

I want a tax efficient strategy, low risk and a steady stream of dividend income..
I am not convinced Mutual Funds are right for me, I would rather own a portfolio of 7 diversified stocks. Any suggestions, Maverick?