The stock market has been going up for more than 7 months and many investors who held on through the big crash of 2000 are seeing their portfolios get back some of what had disappeared. Is now the time to sell those equities that are 'even' with what you paid for them? No.
The reason I say "no" is because that is a guess and to be a successful investor you don't want to be guessing. That is a sure way to go broke. Then what is a better way? When you talk with a broker he never advises you to sell. In that case you could be sucked into another huge downward move. There must be a way.
Yes, there is. You let the market tell you. No, you don't have to be clairvoyant. When you buy any stock or mutual fund the first question for your broker should be, "When do I sell?" If he says you should hold on "for the long haul" I definitely recommend you fire him and find someone who knows how to protect your capital. If you buy a stock or fund for $40 per share you must know immediately how much you are willing to risk (lose) if that equity starts down instead of up. The same applies to giving back any of the profits you have earned.
When you are playing poker you don't put more money in the pot when you have a mixed suit 2, 5 and 10. The best thing to do is fold.
Over the last few months almost everyone has seen his stock and funds go up and he thinks he is a genius for hanging on. Don't confuse genius with a bull market. So what do I mean let the market tell you? It actually is very simple. You place an Open Stop Loss Order with your broker on all your stocks. You determine the risk and place the loss limit at that point. Some people use 10% and others may limit their loss to 7% and yet others to 15%. That is your risk quotient.
You will find that if your stock or fund is sold as a result of the stop loss that in 4 to 6 months that equity will be lower than where you got out even if it went higher for a short period of time. When a stop is executed don't look back. Find another equity or keep your money in cash in a money market account. Cash is a position. Sometimes it will make you more money than owning any stock especially when the market is headed down.
People become confused by Wall Street into thinking that buying right is the way to make money. Wrong! The secret of success in the market is a well disciplined exit strategy. Know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
Copyright 2005
best value cleaning service Northbrook ...If you want one.And I don't recommend any broker with... Read More
When most analysts, financial planners, fund specialists and investors try... Read More
The greatest stock market myth is the idea that investing... Read More
The stock market has been in an up trend for... Read More
An investor can find and research the best stock on... Read More
I have been trading for several decades and was an... Read More
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR standing firm in the... Read More
There are so many kinds of work that needs to... Read More
With over 6,000 mutual funds available, it may be tempting... Read More
Dollar cost averaging is one of the most popular ideas... Read More
The basis of diminishing return discussions surround such simple notions;... Read More
Money: the most charged word in the planet. It means... Read More
You read and hear a lot about hedge funds. Unfortunately,... Read More
You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More
For the last few weeks we have seen the stock... Read More
On Friday or Saturday evening my wife gets a movie... Read More
You may have wondered why your mutual funds have been... Read More
A 'stock option' is a contract between two parties giving... Read More
How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I... Read More
Now that you have some money burning a hole in... Read More
When you become interested in a stock or mutual fund... Read More
This article describes the model of a natural relationship between... Read More
Maximizing a stock market investmentThere are several factors an investor... Read More
Right now there doesn't seem to be any "gold fever".... Read More
Its dinnertime and the phone rings. It's Joe Noname with... Read More
express cleaning service Glencoe ...Investing in long-term financial vehicles give you the most gains... Read More
One of the great "secrets" of successful people is discipline... Read More
You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More
Are you one of those many people who dread reading... Read More
Do you own any mutual funds? In an IRA or... Read More
How do you invest? What do you really pay? At... Read More
When it comes to stock market trading it PAYS to... Read More
Mutual funds are doing more and more to discourage investors... Read More
In 1960 an engineer working for a watch company in... Read More
Disclaimer: Please note that I do not necessarily purchase, own,... Read More
Sometime in the third quarter of 1997, someone told me... Read More
For some "long term" would mean holding a stock position... Read More
The higher the market goes the more confusing are the... Read More
For the last few weeks we have seen the stock... Read More
One of the things people are always asking me is... Read More
Who are the successful investors?There are those who follow the... Read More
From the book 'The Stockopoly Plan' by the author Charles... Read More
One of the most believed bits of conventional wisdom from... Read More
TOO OFTEN, INVESTORS SIMPLY CHOOSE TO follow the crowd. This... Read More
Now where have I heard that before? I know. It... Read More
Reduce your investing and stock market risks by:Setting your sights... Read More
You've decided to try your luck at trading stocks or... Read More
For the year 2000 we have seen hundreds of mutual... Read More
The stock market has been going up for more than... Read More
If you're like many investors who squander those small dividend... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |