Editor's note: You need an "emergency beacon"...
In a volatile market like the one we're in today, you can't let your emotions cloud your judgment.
That's why Marc Chaikin – founder of our corporate affiliate Chaikin Analytics – stresses that you need the right tools in place in order to avoid falling victim to this common pitfall.
In today's Masters Series, adapted from the December 11 and December 30 issues of the Chaikin PowerFeed daily e-letter, Marc details how his Power Gauge system can help you keep your emotions in check...
Use This Tool to Take the Emotions Out of Investing
By Marc Chaikin, founder, Chaikin Analytics
For the first three days, Brittany Farrish's hiking trip was idyllic...
Farrish and a friend explored the Fryatt Valley of Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. And as nightfall approached on the third day, they relaxed on a glacial lake.
Some people spend a lifetime fantasizing about this type of trip.
But then... disaster struck.
As Farrish and her friend settled in for the night, they saw a flash of lightning in the distance. And as experienced hikers, they knew the area was suffering from a drought.
Still, it was time for bed. And a storm in the distance wouldn't ruin their adventure.
That all changed by morning, though...
Farrish awoke to several urgent messages on her emergency beacon. Friends and family members were desperately trying to contact her.
The lightning storm had ignited a wildfire. And officials were evacuating the park.
Farrish and her friend raced to the trailhead. They knew it was a life-or-death situation.
The two women got to their car and headed for the highway. But they weren't in the clear yet. Fallen trees blocked their way out of the area. And the trees were too big to move.
I'm sure you can understand their anxiety... Fortunately, this wildfire-escape story ended well.
Remember, Farrish had her emergency beacon. I bet she never expected it to save her life. But serious hikers like Farrish buy these types of devices "just in case."
These devices weigh just a few ounces. They're the kinds of things you throw in your bag and hope you'll never use. But if you do need one, it could save your life.
That's what happened as Farrish's just-in-case scenario unfolded that day...
A Garmin (GRMN) inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator costs a few hundred bucks. But that small investment likely saved the lives of Farrish and her friend.
The fallen trees made their escape impossible by car. And the park was on fire around them.
But because of Farrish's Garmin device, the rescue team knew the exact location of the two women. They sent a helicopter. And in the end, Farrish and her friend escaped.
Folks, my point with this story is simple...
You need to make sure you have an emergency beacon for the market.
Amid periods of elevated volatility, you need to know where the danger is. And you need to know when it's time to step aside.
As such, that also makes it critically important to keep your emotions out of the picture.
Just think about how folks feel about the legendary Warren Buffett...
The "Oracle of Omaha" is the world's most famous investor. And at the beginning of May 2025, Buffett announced he would be retiring from his role as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B).
During Berkshire's annual meeting, Buffett said he would step down at the end of the year.
The company's stock dropped as much as 15% in the months following.
Of course, the S&P 500 Index was in "growth mode" at that time. It was staging an incredible recovery from its April lows. So Berkshire's relative strength versus the index collapsed.
Sure, everyone knew Buffett would eventually step down as the head of Berkshire. But the announcement itself still came as a shock. It begged the big question – what is Berkshire Hathaway without Warren Buffett?
Buffett isn't just a famous investor... He's a beloved one. And Berkshire's stock has similar sentiment.
To be clear, I'm not saying Berkshire is doomed. But unfortunately, many investors allow themselves to get emotionally attached to the stocks they hold.
Folks, following your emotions is not a smart way to invest...
Stocks that you know and love can crash harder than you ever expected. And no one wants to lose money because they simply couldn't let go of an investment.
So that makes it critical to protect yourself and have a plan... rather than let your emotions drive you.
Now, I created the Power Gauge specifically for this purpose. It's built from my decades of experience on Wall Street. And it's the centerpiece of everything we do at my firm.
If you follow the Power Gauge, you know the importance of having powerhouse tools in your corner.
With custom alerts, you can get updates on your most important positions. And by following the ratings system, you can avoid the market's most dangerous areas.
But no matter what tool you use, I implore you to have a plan in place...
A small investment – in time, tools, or both – can make a big difference. It can be the deciding factor between great returns and investing disaster. And with the right tools, you can take your emotions out of the picture.
Good investing,
Marc Chaikin
Editor's note: Marc's Power Gauge system flashed "bullish" on at least eight of the top 10 stocks every year from 2016 through 2024. And now that 2026 is here, it has spotted a powerful market signal that could reveal where stocks are heading next...
In a recent broadcast, Marc went on camera to share everything you need to know about this looming shift – including what you must do with your money immediately to prepare.
