good points about exits
the turtles (if you care to read about them on originalturtles.org) noted that "trend following" required sometimes watching a 100% gain retract 20, 40%, recover, then continue the climb.
this does take some huevos.
Turtles, Van Tharp, Seykota, Schwager, O'Neill, etc, all have a variety of risk control strategies and recommendations of when to sell. I gravitate towards 2 X ATR.
I will note however, that the MAJORITY of "hot stocks" since March 2003 all broke out, and climbed, and stayed above their 50-day EMA until finally selling off (and thus penetrating the 50-day EMA).
One could (again, it takes some huevos and tolerance) place a trailing stop at the 50-day EMA, and raise it as the price rises.
the 50-day EMA is mathematically derived from price itself, so both the breakout strategy and EMA stuff are both "price only" information. No fancy indicators or gimmicks advertised in the magazines.
Simple (for me) is better. Other people like (and thats fine) to use candlesticks, Elliott Wave, Gann Theory, Aroon, StochRSI, etc, etc.
I need to change my flat tire. Please tell me the simplest way to do it.
I like simple.
just some thoughts.
interestingly, for the 100's of "how to buy" opinions there are 100's of "when to sell" also......thats what makes trading fun
We all would agree however, that a trader must have SOME exit strategy and not just buy it, watch it rise, and high-5 himself, with no clue how to get out. SOME sort of exit rule must exist.
good luck