When selling stocks, a man can congratulate himself in a number of ways (parentheses).

1. He sells for cash and the stock drops. He feels pretty smart. * (skilled investor)
2. He sells to buy another stock. The first stock drops while the second stock rises. He feels very smart. * (skilled investor)
3. He sells for cash and the stock continues to rise. He imagines getting back in when the stock drops again. * (skilled investor - knows when to take a profit and not too greedy)
4. He sells to buy another stock. Both stocks rise. He feels good about himself. * (smart - diversification)
5. He sells to buy another stock. Both stocks fall.  He feels ok about himself. * (skilled at predicting the general market)
6. He sells to buy another stock. The original stock climbs and the new stock falls. (He feels pretty stupid)

The #6 experience, he will tell no one about, not even his wife. He barely remembers it himself!

#1 through #5  he feels pretty good about himself.
Often, feeling good about oneself clouds ones judgement about what is appropriate to share with one's old original stock buddies.
This is where he gets into trouble.

He shares his investment savy, off the cuff, in a casual posting with his stock buddy.

'Hi Don. I sold 10000 NOT shares last week. Looking at the price today I'm glad I did! I'll get back in when things turn around. How's the wife?".

Instead of congratulations he gets a cold shoulder. Now he feels both smart and unfairly treated.

There is another motivation that pulls one to divulge what perhaps one shouldn't. Guillt at having sold and made a profit while others continue to hang on. A man would be a cad indeed if he didn't confess to having made good money (and been pretty savy). What are friends for?
 
Now the last monkey wrench in all of these scenarios, and the one that can make a monkey out of all of us, is that each scenario is completely dependent on date and time. And each can and will change. One can feel smart on Tuesday and find oneself in the corner with the dunce cap on friday.

The lesson? Never, ever, never, never announce that you have sold a stock on that stock''s stock board, unless its to say 'good bye, I'll miss everybody'. Otherwise, it never comes to any good.

Oh, there is ONE exception... ' Heh guys...I sold and since then the stock has shot up 20%. I feel like an idiot. I'm sorry. Can I buy some more now?' This kind of confession is always welcome!

Lastly, if you're a masochistic/sadistic type do the following: Let everyone know that you sold pretty close to the most recent top, how much you made, and warn everyone repeatedly, that if they don't get out NOW they are going to lose big! Then, a few days after the stock starts on its rebound, announce that you bought back in at the bottom and your glad to be back aboard with all your buddies!

These are things I've learned from you all. An WHEN I SELL I hope I can remember them!

Kind regards.

BK