Is it time to buy, sell or hold stocks? Why?

Julie Jacobson

New York Stock Exchange workers finish up trading minutes before the closing bell at the Exchange, Tuesday, April 3, 2007 in New York. Stocks surged Tuesday on signs of resilience in the housing market and the U.S. consumer, with falling oil prices giving investors an extra reason to rally. The Dow Jones industrials gained more than 120 points. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

"I am holding. This market has gone up to far and too fast and too many bulls out there. One bad earnings report for a key company could send this market in a tail spin. Ember May is coming and you know the old saying, 'Sell in May and go away.'" -- Bob M., Montana

"I'm holding my positions. My portfolio homework doesn't give me any reason to sell my current holdings, today. I'm approaching an 18 month time horizon on 2/3 of my portfolio and half of those holdings are at or near 52-week highs, so my thinking could change at any time." -- Brian B., Georgia

"Sell. As the saying goes, what goes up,. MUST come down." -- Carol B., Pennsylvania

"The market is starting to edge up. Look at gold and copper prices. Time to buy now." -- Steve V., Pensylvania

"It is time to sell..It has been a nice run, but, it is time to put some points on the scoreboard." -- Ed K., Texas

"I am a long term investor / with a dollar cost averaging / and diversification approach…100% invested in stock.. …even pull backs do not overly concern me…..saying this as my horizon shortens for retirement regardless of the market I would take a significantly more risk adverse approach." -- Stephen S., Pennsylvania

"Sell. The markets have come back too fast from February's correction. It will retest and probably break those lows by the end of summer. Light volume when the market goes up is never a good sign. You never go broke taking a profit." -- Jody C. Kentucky

More Comments

"I don’t believe it is time to throw caution to the wind. The recent strength is from low volume. A time to be selling into strength. The bond market is beginning to be the place to park your cabbage. The yields are worth your time and money. A possible year end capital gain on your bonds, too. Let the Dow pullback 3%, These traders think they can time the market. let the pro's be wrong again. (way to much risk near term)." -- Thomas K.

"The market has many opportunities to earn money; every investor must know his stocks, whether they are growing, attracting investors,reporting good or even better earnings,achieving mergers,spin-offs, and perhaps, new acquisitons..itis time to dump the stagnant stocks, hold on to companies that maintian a stable, consistent return and acquire up and coming, lucrative movers." -- Edna T.

"I find that most investors in the market these days are of the dating type. They pay for dinner and expect a quick return for their investment. If their date doesn't give them what they want, their mood turns ugly and the next thing you know they're dumping her off at the corner. Unlike most investors, I like to get to know my date (stock) before asking her to marry me. When she says, "Yes" I know I'm in it for the long haul. Dating costs too much time and money. Those dinners aren't free you know (commisions) and I hate blind dates (stock recomendations). The toughest part of finding a good partner in life is, the good ones are usually taken by someone else or are quickly snatched up by those who are looking for the same thing as I am. The trick is getting to her first before everyone else does. Some investors like cheap dates and have set their bars low. Some investors feel that the it's all about them. What they sometimes forget is that divorce can be costly. Sometimes it's cheaper to keep her. The answer to your question is... I can find a good date in any market and prosper with her over time." -- Fran S.

“It's time to let the markets know that we have faith in the earnings reports given this quarter. Definitely a time to buy in anticipation of future growth.” -- Doug L., Illinois

“It is time to trade and we are entering into a bull market. Buy, Buy, Buy, and hold and Sell selectively.” -- William J., Virginia

“It is time to buy. Sectors that look good: Biotech, Auto (TM), Gold (ETFs), and Healthcare.” -- Jim D.

“It's time to sell what's going up, and look for deals in the protection stocks.” Orin“It is time to sell and take some profit.” -- Sushil K., Canada

“I think that, with the correction in February and March over, it’s time to get stocks on the road up. The tech stocks especially need a good run-up since they are so cheap compared to the rest of the market. There has been pretty good economic data also; so, it’s a good idea to invest right now.” -- Alan G.

“It’s time to take a little off of the table and wait for a correction with future earnings announcements. You can take advantage of the momentum by selling in the upswing and buying on bad news.” -- Mike