NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
A movie opened this weekend in which dragons cruise the air breathing fire and the few people left on the planet cower in fear of being scorched.
Investors can relate. With U.S. stocks having lost more than $7 trillion in market value in the past two and a half years, even conservative portfolios have gotten burned, while more aggressive ones are deep-fried to near nothing.
Worse, it's tough to see things getting better any time soon.
Well, if you feel lost in this market, you're not alone. And after 2-1/2 years of losses, giving up now is tempting. But throwing in the towel could be as big a mistake as riding the market down from its peak. That doesn't mean the market won't fall further, but the values are out there.
The following articles can guide you through these confusing times.
Forecast: So are stocks cheap or not?
Stocks have been whacked back to valuations not seen since 1997, and by at least some valuation models, the market is way undervalued. But there are still clouds on the horizon.
Does the Fed think stocks are cheap? According to one popular valuation model, stocks are undervalued by 20 percent.
Bracing for an earnings hit Two new studies show just how overvalued earnings may be.
Picks: Think trust and safety
Stocks aren't out of the woods yet (and some are probably heading to the woodshed). But even in these scandal-ridden times, there are some good values.
Funds you can count on Now more than ever, it's best to go with the best of breed. Clean up your portfolio with mutual funds from MONEY Magazine's brand new Money 100.
Six classic growth plays They led the last market cycle -- and likely will lead the next one too.
Stocks you can trust Bottom Line columnist Adam Lashinsky profiles Procter & Gamble, Caterpillar, Quest Diagnostics and Illinois Tool Works.
Big-cap bargains Two top fund managers on where they're finding value now.
Strategies: Coping with the bear
Feeling a lot poorer these days? Join the club. But as much as it hurts, you've got to put your emotions aside and start dealing.
Three-step action plan: Ask the Expert: I've lost half my savings in the market slide. What can I do?
Retiring into a bear market Smart portfolio strategies are key when your income is on the line.
So you haven't sold yet... It's a tough choice: Hang on or (finally) get out?
401(k): Stay the course Your instinct may be to run and hide. That would be a mistake.
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