Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s commentary for the week of February 27, 2024

Article Excerpt

Here’s a question I’ve heard from a number of investors recently: “Pat, I know you advise against using stop-loss orders as a general rule. However, should we make an exception in unusual times like today?” A stop-loss order or “stop” is simply a standing order with a broker to sell a stock you own if it falls to a price you choose. You might buy a stock at, say, $18, and tell your broker you want to sell it “on stop” if it falls to, say, $16. In theory, this limits your loss. In practice, it mainly limits profit. It’s an arbitrary procedure for dealing with market randomness. The term “stop-loss order” is misleading. Better to call them “guaranteed loss orders” (since you’ll always sell at a loss), or “guaranteed commission generators” (since you pay commission each time you sell). Using stops to “control risk” (as fans like to say) may make you feel better or sleep better, but it won’t help your long-term…