Lesson in Speculation

The market is an idiot. If I needed a demonstration, it is this: Trading in Zoom Technologies Inc. (ticker: ZOOM) was suspended by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday through April 8 after the stock climbed in recent weeks amid confusion with Zoom Video Communications Inc. (ticker: ZM), the popular virtual-meeting company.

The similar names had caused confusion, leading some investors to purchase shares in the wrong company. Shares of the now-halted Zoom Technologies tripled over the past five weeks, while Zoom Video rose only 30% during the same period.

So the mindless speculators bought the wrong stock, TRIPLING it price, while the stock they intended rose ONLY 30%. I shall never forget this palpable lesson that the market is stupid and always wrong.