Stocks and penny shares are extremely volatile, especially at the moment with the economic and financial problems the world is encountering, so is this a good time to be considering an investment in the market? Pessimists would insist not but for every stock devalue other stocks will increase and provide a good return, the trick is to select the good from the bad. The stock market is thought by some to be no more than a glorified gambling empire where every day there are winners and losers. To some extent this is true but a knowledge of the market and an awareness of political and social trends, will mitigate the risks and ensure more winners than losers, even in a recession.