[Mark N]

I'm sure many here are more learned in the stock business than I, so here we go.

I bought 15 shares of Apple stock just mainly for a novelty for about $20 per share. Since then it's split and I've got 30 shares at $53 or so. Opinons on cashing in and reinvesting the profits elsewhere. I keep thinking the stock migh have peaked, but it still inches up. I had thought about just keeping the stock, and holding on to it and see what it looks like in 10 years. I had basically a $300 investment. I think the return I've had is pretty good, so maybe it's time to reinvest.

[Mastrap]

The stock market is a long term game. Personally I'd keep the shares and try to forget about them for the next twenty years.

[dreilly1]

Originally Posted by Mark N

I'm sure many here are more learned in the stock business than I, so here we go.

I bought 15 shares of Apple stock just mainly for a novelty for about $20 per share. Since then it's split and I've got 30 shares at $53 or so. Opinons on cashing in and reinvesting the profits elsewhere. I keep thinking the stock migh have peaked, but it still inches up. I had thought about just keeping the stock, and holding on to it and see what it looks like in 10 years. I had basically a $300 investment. I think the return I've had is pretty good, so maybe it's time to reinvest.

I thought the stock had peaked too, and sold some of my stash below $40 before the last earnings report. Now it's above $50. So that tells you how much I know.

At the time, I thought that the Intel transition would cause computer (especially laptop sales) to lag behind. I thought the company would weather it well enough, with their cash reserves, but got greedy and figured the price would go down in the next 12 months. Well, it turns out that the iPod is making quite enough money for Apple, and that was before they came out with the nano.

There's nothing wrong with selling your stash and taking the profit -- after all, you don't make any money in the stock market until the cash is in your hands -- but I still think Apple has room to move up. Who knows, if the nano drives their profits higher, maybe they'll split again next year?

[Scotttheking]

Every time I think about selling, it goes up more.

I'll probably end up just putting new money into the market instead of selling stock off. *shrug* I guess I'll decide later.

[Big Mac]

A significant portion of my shares got sold due to the stop loss I placed when I and everyone else were concerned about SJ's health. The stock dipped significantly and just touched my threshold. Not a HUGE loss, though, even if I were still in it today. At least I tripled my initial investment.

The market isn't too difficult to understand, but it can be highly volatile. Some of the worst advice, IMO, comes from the conventional wisdom that investing is a long term affair. If a stock is a continual loser, it should be sold rather than held to the bottom. If you see a trend, go with the market, don't fight the current because others have said it's prudent. YMMV.

[Nodnarb]

I bought at $36 and sold at $52 (all of this before the split). Now, knowing that I could have more than tripled my original investment...man am I pissed.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Some of the worst advice, IMO, comes from the conventional wisdom that investing is a long term affair.

That depends entirely on whether you're prepared to look after your investment on a daily basis or if you're content to just let it be.

[scaught]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb

could have

This is what keeps the lights on in Las Vegas night after night.

[Salty]

Dang I wanna buy Apple stock it's doing so well. Then again as soon as I have money Apple's stock'll drop just watch!