Wow, thanks for all your detailed responses. You're all correct in saying I didn't have a plan, I didn't. I suspected the price would rise following their end of year results as the company has been hit hard recently from the merger and then a blow with their PPI announcement. I think UK banking shares will most likely take some election and Brexit certainty positively on Thursday so I will hold firm until then. I guess back to my original question what do others do when they have made a gain, sell everything or just sell the profit to protect the gain and leave the original investment remaining? My investment tactic (albeit this is my first trade) is to make an investment with an aim to make 20 - 25% profit, sell then move on. I guess I did get lucky on my first attempt and emotions are getting in the way! Is my tactic a common one or am I completely off the mark? Really appreciate you all taking the time to respond to me
%% [1]NOT exactly wrong,Pinger200, taking a 25% profit; but so many USa tek companies + ETFs can do better .........so let the profits run. Having said that, [2] QQQ has done> better than 32% YTD; [3] but on a 52 week chart its weak, this week. [4]Partial profits is best,unless you're 88-95% sure ; but i sold 100%,[tech ETF] because its not a good uptrend anymore, by many measures. [5]NEVER, NEVER , NEVER, let a trade profit turn into a loss.[ 6 +7] AND past 52 weeks, buy volume is weaker, sell volume is stronger-- QQQ/tech benchmark. [8]Even though ,when US market JAN finishes up, 88% chances are market finishes UP for year to date; NEVER, NEVER let a trade profit turn into a loss....................................................................................................... IN US, tech + banking + oil tend to be the super trends,
%% I doubled checked the IBD rule; 20% profit in 8 weeks or less requires an 8 week hold. an UP Jan =88% chance of market up for the year[ Indexes, ETF like QQQ anyway ],