Buying stock for dummies

[Trongersoll]

I'd say that you did good. Generally, on average, the Stock Market as a whole grows about 8% on price, and about 3% on dividends. So your 67% increase is good, on average. Of course, if you bought during a big dip, like last August, then big gains could, in retorspect, be expected. Timing the market can be difficult, only you can decide when to sell. If the market dips again big time you could lose your paper gain, but if it doesn't you could miss an opportunity to make more.

If anyone could answer your question with absolute certainty, they would be uber wealthy and most likely too busy to be posting here.

[decoy409]

Quote:Try posting your question in Market Perspectives or Investing Basics and Beyond boards. There are rarely any real investors or for that matter posters on this board besides the DOOM & GLOOM/CONSPIRACY "stuff".



Buy low and sell high!

The casino has become just that. Centrals know the way, Just break down the holders,and watch for the suction cup.

As far as a rarely does anybody visit MARKET TALK,why we have 400,000 plus reasons why they do!

Have a great day!

[frankq]

Hey lonewolf,

It's been a while now....how did you do?

[Deleted]

Try to edit posting it's still not working.

Good for you, lone. That you did it real well.

[frankq]

Good deal. All I can tell you is that every once and a while, step a little outside your comfort zone, and you seldom go wrong with a stock that has a decent dividend history. Stocks look a little lofty right now to me. I just picked up a little TerraNitrogen. The div is high and the price looked good relative to it's history. I like to watch things for a while before I move. Good luck.

[frankq]

You never fall in love with a stock as a general rule. Some stocks are long termers like blue chip dividend payers. In general, I set a 10% loss max on a stock and I use sell stops on the way up and the way down. I probably trade a little too much, but it seems to work out. Some stocks I'll never sell, unless the underlying business falls apart. One example is T (ATT). I've seen that no matter what happens in one life, they always find a way to have that cellphone. People will forgo food to keep that phone. I've seen people lose their homes, cars, everything, but they have that phone. Smartphones are the new crack for the under 40 crowd. At the price I paid I'm getting 6% yield too.

You buy and sell based on company results and stock movements. A stock that runs up fast tends to run down pretty quick too. The market is driven by traders these days, not necessarily investors. I don't buy on "tips".

[frankq]

Hey....Just so we understand each other, I'm no pro. I just try to be thorough...Anyone that hasn't made a mistake isn't investing...

[Deleted]

mistakes that cost you money tend to be lessons learned for the long term

i have made some doozies

anyone that has invested probably has

learn from them...and try not to make the same one again

and the market/investing is risky

all you can do is try to LIMIT your risk to your tolerance level

[frankq]

* Frank, let's stay on topic, eh?  Thanks. - mmhmm, Administrator