vvv, > i should think that most traders nevertheless work this way, > ie take partial profits just so they can say "i was right" I'm sure many do, but many also work this way not to be right but to lock in profits. That can be very valuable in fast-moving stocks where sentiment can change in practically the flip of a single tick. On a long I often sell a portion of my holding into panic buying, then let the rest run in case the buying continues. If it quickly flips, and the bids suddenly disappear, then I'm heading for the exits along with everyone else. But at least I locked in a decent profit.