OK. Can you share with us how you make decisions based upon latest closing prices? I think some history and volume, at a minimum are needed.

Buy and hold would work very well if we were smart or lucky enough to buy AAPL, MSFT, NFLX, NVDA, and a multitude of others as IPOs. I tried with the first two, and my broker told me he couldn't even get any for himself. Buying and holding traditionally strong performers doesn't always work out (look at BA, for example.)

When Buffett accumulated a large cash position, that was a tell. He still has a large position in equities, but he was smart enough to see higher risk and that better opportunities will be available in the future.

As far as long vs short term gains, I keep my short term stuff in my IRAs. They are taxed as short term, no matter what. I keep all of my long holdings (one year or greater) in my cash accounts. As you know, long term gains are taxed at a lower rate.

Sentiment is often a contrarian indicator. When sentiment is high it is often time to sell.

My experience in following "headlines" is that the largest part of the move has already happened. I avoid using them for trading decisions.

Anybody else want to chime in?

Maybe we should take this conversation to the lounge under a different subject.