[takingprofits]

I am underwater with a few recent recent purchases as well and my view is that the market is correcting - but it is not going down to the March lows - probably just back to the 50 day MA at worst. So, I am holding as here is sure to be better times to sell ahead.

I have been taking profits in the past few days in stocks where there are profits and am holding those where there are no profits.

This is my first post so please forgive any mistakes. I am a dividend investor, not so much a trader, but I have bought a number of stocks in this rally that are now trading at a bit or more below the level at which I bought them. Having heard a number of guests on Market Call and Market Call tonight advise taking money off the table, my question to other members is whether you would take the loss of between $20 and in one case about $200, or hold on. And the other question is whether for such 'solid' stocks as the telecoms and banks, REITs and financials such as PWF, do you hold regardless for the dividend or also liquidate. I was burned badly in the meltdown (no calls from our advisor during the whole time so we "broke up") and have spent the last 5 months educating myself on dividend and income investing, but I lack experience in how to judge "stop loss" placements. Any ideas where to read up on such topics?

 

[takingprofits]

Watching BNN yesterday I caught a headline but missed the story - regarding a new study that concluded that buy and hold works if you have a time horizon of 43 years. Did anyone catch the story?

Even Benjamin Graham who is oft quoted by those committed to buy and hold says in "The Intelligent Investor" - That the intelligent investor should endeavour to buy stocks when they are quoted below fair market value and SELL them when they rise above such value.

Stocks are not meant to be held forever...