2014 has so far been a weird trading cycle at least for me so far. I've realized as time goes on that the growth stocks that were so successful in 2013, are not so successful in 2014. Some may have been lucky and have avoided a rough 2014 so far, but it seems like high cap stocks have had a great run so far, and after the slight dip in the end of January, the markets have gotten to steady up pace. It may have been slow but it seems in the recent weeks its been picking up and now breaking through record highs once again to start June off. The whole "sell in May and go away" saying may not have been the best idea. But with the transition from small cap stocks to high cap stocks complete, and other adjustments taking place, did you feel like you missed out? Or can't quite get the trends?
The Trimming Technique
One of the key decisions in investing is not only when to buy, but also when to sell. The trickiest might be the latter. Lets say you gain a huge return on an investment, but hold on to it because you are afraid its not at the top, and so you think it can keep climbing, instead it falls and you lose much more of the profit you were hoping for. Or other way around, the stock takes a turn for the worst, and so you aren't quite sure if you should sell your loses and move on or stick with the same roller coaster. Its a tricky decision that has investors in a predicament. And so the biggest tip I can give is the trimming technique. Take a look at your portfolio and if you are pleased with the returns, and truly believe the stock has had a great run and believe its in your best interest to take the earnings and run, then so do it. If the stock keeps going while you sold it, you might kick yourself, but I'd rather kick myself with a profit then with a loss. And with the trimming technique, you can just trim some of your gains and keep the stock, therefore, if the stock keeps rising you still get some gains while holding onto a percentage you already made. It works with stocks in the red too. Trimming is used when you believe your investment is at a higher risk then originally perceived; a certain percentage of your gains or losses are cut off to lower the risk of an investment.
The Advanced Reconstitution Phases
This technique deals with funds rather than individual stocks in a portfolio, although it can still be used. Certain investment websites have a create your own "ETF" where you get to customize a portfolio based on percentages you want to invest in with certain individual stocks. Basically, in the instance of Motif Investing, you can trade 30 stocks for the same fee as one stock, the 30 stocks can be any of your liking and you can customize the percentage of your money goes to each stock. Neat right? Well this type of investing has its disadvantages and advantages and make sure you read up on these customizable "ETF's" first. Reconstituting is typically done quarterly or yearly. Reconstituting is done when a fund looks at its stocks and either add/remove its existing stocks or change the existing ranking of stocks in the fund. This is done to keep the portfolio or fund in tact with market trends. Reconstituting is critical to the success of a fund. Now, this can also be done with certain portfolios. Obviously for individual investors, trimming is an easier way adjust their portfolio, but with those customizable "ETF's" this reconstituting technique could be possible. Invest with Care.
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