Forget Winning Stocks. Pick the Losers Instead

+ Is it too late to buy gold? If you are having trouble viewing this email, click here.

Certain investors and cable TV commentators love to obsess about "winning" stocks. But instead of speculating about the next Apple or Amazon, it's better to eliminate the losers of the market from your portfolio, some analysts say. The theory is that it's easier to spot competitive disadvantages than it is to identify the "secret sauce" that will make a company outperform. (Of course, you could always buy and hold the broad market and not pick individual stocks at all, but some people like to take a more active role.) This tactic could work well in other areas of life, too. For example, instead of expending all your romantic energy on finding The One who ticks all your boxes, focus on rejecting suitors who'd be bad for you and keep an open mind about everyone else. Learn more about this strategy in today's edition.   Best wishes, Elizabeth   P.S. If you got this newsletter from a friend, sign up here for email delivery to make sure you don't miss the next issue. To listen on podcast platforms or smart speakers, click here. TIMELY RETIREMENT NEWS, INSIGHTS, AND ADVICE Investing During Coronavirus: How to Win by Focusing on the Losers   It's easier to spot competitive disadvantages. How Long Will Home Prices Continue to Rise? 8 Experts Weigh In   Demand is strong and supply is tight.  The Simple Reason Investors Are Going Nuts for Gold Right Now   Prices of the precious metal recently hit a record high. RETIRE WITH MONEY COMMUNITY INSIGHTS Our Retire with Money Facebook group is talking about gold. And no wonder, since the precious metal just hit a record high. Some members were saying it was too late to buy it now. Depending on your goals, that's not necessarily the case, according to a story Money just published. One person asked a good, practical question, "How does gold work in a crisis? Doesn't seem feasible to use as currency to buy groceries, fuel, or pay a mortgage payment." One member advised against buying physical gold, since you lose money to commission both buying and selling. It's better to hold through an ETF like GDL, he said. As for buying in a crisis, I agree that gold isn't going to be very practical. But cash might be, if cyberattacks or other problems disable credit card readers and ATM machines. I know some of my younger colleagues never have any dollar bills on them, but I try to keep a small amount on hand in case of emergency. RETIREMENT NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB If You're Asked to Sign a COVID-19 Waiver, Use This Road Map to Help With Your Decision   Enforceability of liability waivers depends on state law. CONSUMER REPORTS Why the Coronavirus Has Sent Food Prices Soaring   There are some ways to trim your bill. AARP I Have a Seven-Figure Nest Egg — Am I Saving too Much for Retirement?   Ask yourself, do I feel like I'm missing out? MARKETWATCH Carefully Forming a 'Quarantine Bubble' Can Fight Loneliness   Trust becomes very important. NEXT AVENUE ABOUT ELIZABETH Elizabeth O'Brien is deputy editor at Money. She has covered retirement and health care for nearly a decade. A Brooklyn resident and mom of two boys, she navigates the alphabet soup of Medicare and the New York City subway system with equal ease. You can email her at elizabeth.obrien@money.com and follow her on Twitter at @elizobrien.

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