Stock Market Advice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Stock Market Advice - Essay Example Efficient Market Hypothesis postulates that "only fundamental factors, such as profits or dividends ought to affect share prices" (Stock Market). But this is true only in an ideal situation - a perfect market - which is hardly the case. Over shorter periods, there are wide variations in stock prices on account of any number of reasons, some of which are not even technical in nature. The stock market is driven by investor confidence - and that is a matter of personal choice that cannot be predicted. The general mass of investors invests with a 'herd mentality'. Inexperienced players can rarely, if ever, 'time the market' and hence generally incur losses. Warren Buffet has said in his biography that, "...despite all this available information, [analysis, 'hot' tips, blogs etc], investors find it increasingly difficult to profit." He continues, "...Sometimes there appears to be no rhyme or reason to the market, only folly". The market crash of 1987, resulting in a 22.6 percent drop in t he Dow Jones Index, could not be traced to any specific cause, and is just one example of this 'folly'.Since timing appears to be the critical factor, it follows that one's holdings have to be monitored continuously. Non-performing assets have to be divested and new stocks acquired based on the intrinsic value of each stock arrived at after careful study and keeping in mind market sentiment. Investing in the stock market is not like investing in instrument offering fixed returns, where once the initial investment is made it does not have to be looked at again until its maturity. Some stocks may hardly show any movement, others may show steady appreciation, while others may have depreciated when it comes to selling them. Nevertheless, it is equally true that stocks as a general rule have almost always appreciated over the long term.

Global Data Synchronisation for supply chain Case Study

Global Data Synchronisation for supply chain - Case Study Example This technology is significant in hastening a speedy transfer of information from the manufacturer to the retailer. In addition, this technology is important in terms of improving accuracy and security of data (Gopal & McMillan 2005, p.58). This technology is enhanced by the existence of a global network termed as the Global Data Synchronisation Network which is under the management of GS1. This organisation (GS1) is responsible globally in matters dealing with the design and implementing the global standards and solutions necessary to enhance the efficiency and also visibility with regard to supply and demand chains existing across verticals. On another note, this technology is necessary in the sense that, it enables trading partners to have access to product information in real time. In addition, this technology is necessary in a globalized market where obtaining latest information is critical for businesses. For instance, any change made in a firm’s database automatically reflects on other business partner’s database. This is made possible through the GS1 system that relies on the Global Trade Identification Number (Gopal & McMillan 2005, p.62). 2.1 The industries engaging in retail and consumer products recognizes the urgency to change and adopt a technology that would ensure system-system synchronisation with regard to products, price, the location, services and sharing of other information between business partners. In order to achieve this milestone of data synchronisation that involves many systems, standards, businesses data management and electronic synchronisation have emerged as solutions to problems related to data sharing among business partners. Further, this technology is seen as a means to enhance efficiency and hastening responsiveness within the supply chain. With regard to this technology, trading partners can share two forms of data. The first is neutral data that can be shared among many parties and is considered to