The Practical Way

Monday, 22nd June 2009

“One Up On Wall Street” by Peter Lynch

Written by George Traganidas Topics: Books, Stock Investing

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This book is one of the classics on stock investments. Peter Lynch was the head of the Magellan Fund in Fidelity Investments from 1977 to 1990 and the fund average was 29.2% return during that period. This is a very impressive return when you consider that the market average is about 11% and that 80% of the fund managers fails to beat the average.

In this book, Peter Lynch shares some of his secrets on how he managed to get this returns and explains how ordinary investors can do the same and achieve higher returns that the professionals. He introduces ideas like the “ten bagger” that refer to an investment which is worth ten times its original purchase price.[...]

Wednesday, 3rd June 2009

Never sell a stock

Written by George Traganidas Topics: Personal Finance, Stock Investing

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One of the biggest challenges that people face when they buy stocks is to decide when to sell them. This decision is as important as deciding which stock to buy. Even Warren Buffet, the legendary buy and hold investor, is selling stocks if he believes that he can find a better place for his capital.

First of all, you should never sell simply because a stock—and the market in general – goes down several percentage points. Selling on this basis alone is an overreaction that usually costs you money in the long run. Don’t waste your time on trying to time the market. Instead, you want to know your stocks well enough to be able to recognize which events spell danger and which scream opportunity.

Here, then, are some pointers to help you decide whether to stay the course or sell—for the right reasons:[...]