Now that's a loaded question indeed. I have been in this game a long time and truth be told, I have never experienced a time where the manipulation is more evident than ever. You can see evidence of this everyday. For instance, having all the big tech companies down and yet the market was still up...Really?

All fundamentals are gone, there is no logic to this stock market. It's always buy the dip, despite many sectors having real economic problems.  You're looking at something that can't afford to go down for fear of a complete loss in confidence. Zero interest rates for as long as any one can remember doesn't bode well for a false economic recovery story that has been peddled.  Them raising interest rates now is just enough to save face.

Trading allows you to get in and out without having the full risk of the trap door suddenly opening up on the stock market. You must learn their game if you want to play it successfully, it's their rules and they can rig it anytime they wish.  

My focus is now on cryptos, much harder to manipulate. For me it's one stack to buy and hold, the other to trade.  It's the future and it has long legs...