Should I sell or hold my Apple stock?

vanity | 7 August 2012

[moonshot925]

I bought 750 shares of Apple in April 2004 at $14/share.

I now have 1,500 shares because it split in February 2005.

Apple is now $620/share.

Apple is now paying quarterly dividends of $2.65/share.

[Political Junkie Too]

You'll need more, depending on how long you think you'll live in retirement. Unless you think the Apple stock will lose value, it's your retirement nest-egg. You'd either sell it to reinvest it in a more diversified portfolio, or keep it in Apple stock in anticipation of it growing even more until you retire.

It's good that you have no debt and a secure home. You would need to think about what kind of income you need to sustain your lifestyle in retirement, once your salary/wage ends. If you have a pension coming, factor that in, too, along with expected social security payments. Then, your disbursement from the Apple stock will supplement that retirement income.

Also, you can think about what retirement might look like. Typically, in the first years your expenses may be higher because you are traveling more, or doing more hobbies and activities. In the next decade (?) your expenses go down because you're getting older and slowing down. Finally, your expenses go back up because your medical costs will go up in the last years.

If you don't have a pressing need for the money now, then put it away for when you need it later.

-PJ

[zeebee]

You paid $10,500 for something that is now worth $930,000 and you are wondering what to do?

[NormsRevenge]

tough call. trade-offs re: capital gains and potential hikes weigh heavily.. but some predict it will go $1000/share or more .. good luck.

[goat granny]

Are you single, I have a couple of granddaughters that are knock outs in the brains and looks department....

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered.

One approach would be to sell before the election and buy it back afterward. You will have to pay the capital gain tax, but then the change in cap gain tax rate won’t be as onerous.

Full disclosure: I am heavily long on AAPL, and I think I should probably my own advice.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Sell as much as needed to get your initial investment back. Then sell half of the remainder and have one hell of a party.

Or better yet, use it to start laying in supplies of "beans, bullets and Band-Aids."

[ex-Texan]

Just be glad you do not own Facebook ___ !

Facebook stock hits all-time low as insiders get chance to sell !

This stock should have been priced around $ 11 - $ 12 . . . LOL !

[ex-Texan]

And corrupt insider trading yields $ 100 Million to bankers . . .

Facebook's Bankers Are Divvying Up The $100 Million They Made Shorting Facebook's Stock