how do you know when to sell?

[Peter8519]

Why would the sell strategy be different?
The process would be the same.

You treat volatile stock the same as less volatile one?

 

[deaddog]

You treat volatile stock the same as less volatile one?

Sorry I'm late with the reply. For what ever reason I missed the question.

I treat all stocks I trade the same. The capital I have doesn't affect my position size. I can see where you are coming from, risking 1% of a 10K account is a lot less cash than risking 1% of a 100k account. When you get to 100K it won't seem like such a big number. It's 1% of your capital.

 

[nooby_mcnoob]

You never get out at the top.

You either sell on the way up or on the way down.

One method I've seen promoted is to sell a portion on the way up and the rest on the way down. sell 1/3 at a target or a certain time into the trade; Sell 1/3 at a trend line or moving average and sell the last 1/3 with a trailing stop.

Mathematically it doesn't seem like it makes a difference unless you really time the top badly, like decades.

I would say treat each buy/sale as its own thing. You sold too low? Who cares.

 

[deaddog]

Mathematically it doesn't seem like it makes a difference unless you really time the top badly, like decades.

I would say treat each buy/sale as its own thing. You sold too low? Who cares.

I'm thinking it does make a difference but I'm not sure how. I treat each trade according to plan, I'm toying with changing the plan to scaling out. Take out a third at a target, a third at a trendline break and a third at a trailing stop.

As for who cares if I sold to low; I do! That good old Greed emotion, I hate to leave money on the table. It's always those trades that you let get away that live rent free in your mind.

 

[nooby_mcnoob]

I'm thinking it does make a difference but I'm not sure how. I treat each trade according to plan, I'm toying with changing the plan to scaling out. Take out a third at a target, a third at a trendline break and a third at a trailing stop.

As for who cares if I sold to low; I do! That good old Greed emotion, I hate to leave money on the table. It's always those trades that you let get away that live rent free in your mind.

Stop looking at the chart after you sell except to see another signal then.

 

[deaddog]

Stop looking at the chart after you sell except to see another signal then.

I do. But when they take off I get a signal.
Yes I take it.

 

[nooby_mcnoob]

I do. But when they take off I get a signal.
Yes I take it.

So then you're fine.

 

[deaddog]

So then you're fine.

Fine as frog hair, always trying to improve.

 

[Coner1980]

You never get out at the top.

You either sell on the way up or on the way down.

One method I've seen promoted is to sell a portion on the way up and the rest on the way down. sell 1/3 at a target or a certain time into the trade; Sell 1/3 at a trend line or moving average and sell the last 1/3 with a trailing stop.

I agree.

 

[cravat]

Consider looking at support and resistance levels to make buy or sell decisions. When the trend line is moving downwards, it’s a downtrend and when it is going up, it’s uptrend. It’s not possible to precisely predict the turning point. Look at the recent past trades if you think the trend has moved enough in one direction. It's better to take action instead of waiting so that you can earn a few more pips.