Cut Losses Quickly And Preserve Capital, Even With Brand-Name Stocks
BY MARIE BEERENS
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 6/30/2006
Thursday's follow-through provided an opportunity to reward investors who set up stock watch lists. Investors should now be looking for top-rated leaders breaking out past sound buy points.
Selling losers that fall 7% or 8% below your buy price is also crucial.
During a downtrending market, cutting losses short protects your capital. That way when the market rallies again, you have plenty of money on hand to put to work.
Cutting losses is just as important in an improving market. Don't ever let your gains evaporate and turn into losses. And don't let your losses get out of hand. If a stock hits the 7% to 8% sell rule, don't hesitate. Sell immediately.
Letting your losses grow can severely hurt your portfolio. In a rising market, you want to take advantage of strong buy chances. Protecting your capital by ditching losing stocks quickly does just that. It's nearly impossible to predict when or where a stock will bottom.
Escalating losses can also crush your confidence. When a leading stock breaks out, it pays to grab it as close as possible to the optimal buy point. If your confidence is hurt, that can make it tough to act decisively. You may then miss out on a great opportunity.
BY MARIE BEERENS
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 6/30/2006
Thursday's follow-through provided an opportunity to reward investors who set up stock watch lists. Investors should now be looking for top-rated leaders breaking out past sound buy points.
Selling losers that fall 7% or 8% below your buy price is also crucial.
During a downtrending market, cutting losses short protects your capital. That way when the market rallies again, you have plenty of money on hand to put to work.
Cutting losses is just as important in an improving market. Don't ever let your gains evaporate and turn into losses. And don't let your losses get out of hand. If a stock hits the 7% to 8% sell rule, don't hesitate. Sell immediately.
Letting your losses grow can severely hurt your portfolio. In a rising market, you want to take advantage of strong buy chances. Protecting your capital by ditching losing stocks quickly does just that. It's nearly impossible to predict when or where a stock will bottom.
Escalating losses can also crush your confidence. When a leading stock breaks out, it pays to grab it as close as possible to the optimal buy point. If your confidence is hurt, that can make it tough to act decisively. You may then miss out on a great opportunity.