When it Comes to Investing, Are You the Tortoise or the Hare?Alan S. Moore / L'Observateur / December 23, 1998History has shown us that successful investors may achieve potentially good returns by being patient, setting long-term goals, diversifying among assets classes and buying more when markets decline - a strategy not unlike the one used by the tortoise when he beat the hare. - L'Observateur

When it Comes to Investing, Are You the Tortoise or the Hare?Alan S. Moore / L’Observateur / December 23, 1998History has shown us that successful investors may achieve potentially good returns by being patient, setting long-term goals, diversifying among assets classes and buying more when markets decline – a strategy not unlike the one used by the tortoise when he beat the hare.

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 23, 1998

Investors who think like the tortoise see equities as long-term investments, overlook daily market fluctuations and understand that discipline and patience are the keys to successful investing. On the other hand, investors who think like the hare pay more attention to short-term changes, attempt to plot the best time to buy or sell, and long for that quick capital gain. We call these types of investors “market timers.”