How Do You Know When it’s Time to Sell a Stock?

Will you know when it’s time to sell your stock? The decision to buy a stock is often easier than determining when to sell. As you do a year-end review of your portfolio here are some situations to consider as you’re trying to decide if it’s the right time to sell your stocks.

When cash becomes attractive. A gloomy economic outlook could be reason to increase your cash reserves.

When you've given up on a stock. If a stock has been declining or flat-lining for an extended period, selling low now can save you from having to sell even lower later on.

When there are no tax consequences. If you hold stock in a retirement fund, you may want to reap the gains with no tax impact.

To take money off the table. If a stock has had a good run, you could sell a portion to recoup part of your investment. You can continue to invest in the stock but with locked-in gains.

A shift in fundamentals. Consider selling if the economy changes or an entire industry becomes vulnerable due to negative news.

To take a contrarian position. If the market has gotten frothy and all the news is optimistic, choosing to harvest your gains could be a wise move.

Having a disciplined selling strategy means giving as much thought to the sale of a stock as to the purchase. At Summit CPA we offer multiple resources to assist you with all of your financial planning needs. Contact our office at 866-497-9761 to schedule an appointment with our advisors.