Chart of the Day - Monday, July 8th, 2019

Today's chart of the day was shared on Twitter by Stefan Cheplick (@scheplick). It's a line chart showing the dismal performance of Deutsche Bank's stock ($DB) since 2007. In that time, shares of Germany's largest bank went from over $130, to where they sit now at around $7.50. The tweet ushered in a comical response of other terrible looking charts of stocks that have fallen precipitously such as $GPRO and $XIV. One of the first things you're taught in trading/investing is "buy low and sell high." While this is true, it causes people to hunt for beaten down names in hopes that they'll return to prior levels. These names are often in clear downtrends like $DB and folks are left scratching their head when price continues lower in the direction of the trend. This chart echoes common market aphorisms like; "Don't fight the trend" or "Never catch a falling knife." Charts like this one serve as a good example of the dangers of bottom fishing. Check out the full thread for a few lessons and laughs.