To Take Profit Or Not? That's The Question
Finweek English|21 May 2020
Investors need to have an exit strategy even before they buy a stock. Sticking to that plan will reduce uncertainties and anxiety.
Simon Brown
To Take Profit Or Not? That's The Question

As global and local markets continue to rally after the collapse of late March and early April, I am being flooded with questions from people who bought shares during the collapse and now want to know if they should be selling.

The point I always make is that an investor or trader needs to have a plan for selling a position when they initially enter that position. Sure, the plan is to make a profit, but it needs more detail because what is a profit? Is it 1% or 100% or somewhere in-between?

Equally important is that while we focus on the profit side of the equation, we also need to be very cognisant of the potential for a loss and, as such, our exit plan needs to have both a profit and a loss side.

For traders, the loss side of the exit plan is easy. You have a stop-loss that is a pre-determined level at which you exit the trade, no questions asked. You’re losing money and you need to stop the bleeding and protect capital.

This story is from the 21 May 2020 edition of Finweek English.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the 21 May 2020 edition of Finweek English.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FINWEEK ENGLISHView All
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
Finweek English

THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES

As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.

time-read
7 mins  |
5 November 2021
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
Finweek English

The effect of Gilbertson's departure

With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Making money from music
Finweek English

Making money from music

Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Conviction is key
Finweek English

Conviction is key

Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.

time-read
5 mins  |
5 November 2021
The post-pandemic toolkit
Finweek English

The post-pandemic toolkit

How CFOs can use technology to support growth.

time-read
4 mins  |
5 November 2021
Big city living exodus
Finweek English

Big city living exodus

Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Big compact, big value
Finweek English

Big compact, big value

Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
On barriers to entry
Finweek English

On barriers to entry

There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.

time-read
2 mins  |
5 November 2021
Fear and greed in one index
Finweek English

Fear and greed in one index

To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Finweek English

Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon

Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021