To: Crimson Ghost who wrote (55940 ) 7/8/2000 1:36:51 PM From: Rarebird Read Replies (4) | Respond to George, I know that many investors have become exclusively very speculative short term traders over the past couple of years, where each has his own system and is a big shot who brags away as Mr. Know it all successful trader. These guys come a dime a dozen. I've primarily gone the other route over the past two decades. I like to buy stocks that are cheap on a PE and cash flow and price to sales basis and which are selling near or below book value. Sometimes they languish and do nothing for 2-3 years. But when they move to the upside, they tend to double and triple. I see nothing wrong in sitting on a stock for a few years and taking long term capital gains. The argument against that, of course, is that your losing potential gains while you wait. But that's not true at all except when you first begin investing perhaps. If you buy a few of these out of favor cheap stocks each year, you'll find that each year a few will explode to the upside when they come back in favor. I've never gone long a stock on margin. When I buy a stock, I'm prepared to hold it a few years, if need be. I only take half or quarter positions initially. Message 1967695
