When can I sell?

[Trump Junior!]

Hello T.B.F members!
To my fellow stock exchange investors...
I would like to know,how do you know the perfect time to sell your shares???
And also,how do you decide the amount you are going to sell???

The answer to this question really depends on the way you invested, and you personally. Before investing into stocks you should always formulate an exit strategy; how and when you are planning to sell, this can often be achieved through profit/loss stops (where the trade is automatic). If you have used technical analysis to create your investment model, you should already have a good idea of when to sell, if you have used fundamental analysis you should make a decision on a point at which you are happy with the return (profit stop) and sell, or alternatively when you believe that the risk is too high and you wish to sell at a loss (loss stop), these can often be set to trade automatically with your broker. There is no single answer to your question, often people say '7% either way' but it is a decision that is specific to each investment you make. Have you already got money in stock? Or are you planning ahead?

[JWinvestments]

It depends on the investor. Warren Buffett would say never, I say when you sense the MARKET will drop (as normally almost everything comes with it). Some people buy stocks to make money on their growth, others buy stocks for their dividends.

Most people I know set loss stops at around -9%, and sell at around 9%, but of course you have to be prepared to change your exit strategy, because hanging on until -9% when you KNOW the market is falling is stupid, it just requires common sense to sell. Same applies to positive selling.

[Trump Junior!]

Thanx J.W!I hope my common sense is up to standard...

[JWinvestments]

Trust me, you'll know. If Bloomberg announce a recession for example, don't go and hold your JP Morgan 'JPM' stocks, christ.

[Trump Junior!]

Hi Mellair,yes i've already bought a total of 1000 shares from 2 companies,,,I wanted to start small so as to gain experience on monitoring the Stock Exchange market first.Before I had shares I was under the impression that 'when you buy stock they'll immediately grow in value',and I quickly learnt that was not so.But im still yet to learn the most efficient way to know when to sell.