Stock Trades 101

[Phil Lilley]

Nope... beginners luck?

I listen to the news, watch the thread news on Market Watch. Seems like there's been trends where the stock will drop early in the am and then rise the rest of the day. We've bought stocks that really take a dive = 12-18% and then bounce back 3-5%.

We're not looking for big gains... just enough to make alittle and cover our trade fees.

[Coldspring]

Take into consideration that the Indexes are up about 9% since July 1st. You could have went all in on an Index fund and been up just as much, but never ever go all in on anything of course. Sounds like you're doing okay, and you're not going to be hurting too bad since you haven't put a fortune into the fund...so learn a little something everyday. It takes years to really figure it out, and probably a year just to realize you actually know nothing and have to really start learning, and just when you think you think you have figured things out...

[ness]

Hey Coldspring, he's up 10% so he beat the index!

Phil -- what's the settlement rule you're referring to?

[Andy & JoAnne]

I like the risky high potential stocks, mainly Bio-Med. I usually short these but I have a couple that I have hung onto that are doing very well. In fact one doubled in just the past couple of weeks in anticipation of an upcoming FDA review. BTW - "Just Say No" to junior mining stocks -OUCH!!!

[yeehaw]

If I were a financial advisor.....and I'm not saying I am.....merely hypothetical of course.......I'm staying out of this one!

Actually phil, shoot me a PM if you ever have any questions. I'll give ya any info I can, like if I WAS a financial advisor, but just hypothetically of course.

Cuz financial advisors aren't supposed to give out any financial info in a setting like this. At least that is what a financial advisor told me......since I'm not one.

[Thom]

Hey Coldspring, he's up 10% so he beat the index!

Phil -- what's the settlement rule you're referring to?

Settling rule is the required amount of time between buying and selling the same stock funds. It can very with different trading methods. I believe scottrade is 3 days.

[ness]

hmmm. I've never flipped anything that quickly, so I've never run into it. I generally take a longer-term approach, and I hate the thought of ST capital gains as it chews up a lot more of the profits.