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In a strong stock market, IBD Leaderboard helps identify the top growth stocks to buy and watch, such as Nvidia (NVDA). But when the uptrend weakens and the indices fall into a market correction, Leaderboard also helps you see how to navigate this changing environment. NVDA stock is a perfect example.
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During a market correction, the vast majority of growth stocks will also retreat, often much more than the major indexes. In the current turmoil, tech stocks such as Nvidia, Alphabet (GOOGLE), Microsoft (MSFT), Advanced micro-systems (AMD) and Pay Pal (PYPL) are all affected.
Among these and other growth stocks in the ranking, You’re here (TSLA) is a rare exception as it remains above its 10-week moving average. But does that mean you need to buy, sell, or hold TSLA stock while Alphabet, PayPal, Microsoft, and AMD are selling?
For another measure of the performance of tech and growth stocks, check out the Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY). Driven in large part by the big tech rebound from the coronavirus crash in March 2020, the ETF rose 118% through September 24 of this year.
But proving once again that even major growth stocks are falling short of a large market correction, the IBD 50 ETF fell below its 10 week line. He is now testing his second line of defense, the 200-day and 40-week moving averages.
When to sell a winning stock? Spot a large breach of the 200 day line
Hold – or sell to lock in profits, cut losses?
Every day, IBD places the stock market in one of three possible stages: confirmed market uptrend, bullish trend under pressure, or market in correction.
As of September 30, Market Pulse in The Big Picture shows that we are in a correction. While this does not necessarily mean that you have to sell all of your holdings, it does indicate that it is best to avoid making new purchases until the stock market trend picks up.
While several tech and growth stocks, as well as others, remain in the rankings, that doesn’t mean it’s time to buy. But is it time to sell or to hold?
When to sell stocks is usually a much trickier question than when to buy stocks.
The IBD Long Term Leaders List highlights stocks that have demonstrated their ability to withstand stock market volatility over the years. With an excellent long-term track record and solid earnings stability, elite companies like Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, PayPal and Service now (NOW) earn a spot on this list.
But that doesn’t mean that these stocks are immune to bear markets, or that investors should hold some or all of these stocks forever.
Using Nvidia as an example, here’s how investors can assess stocks holding onto the rankings while under selling pressure.
Managing growth stocks under pressure: NVDA action
As Nvidia shows, how to buy stocks and when to sell stocks isn’t usually an all-or-nothing issue. You can reduce and control risk by buying and selling gradually based on your stock and the behavior of stock indices.
The Leaderboard team reduced the position of the simulated portfolio on Nvidia after hitting Wednesday’s low. It comes after slashing Nvidia by the same amount after falling back below its 10-week line last Tuesday. The stock remains in the rankings despite a round-trip sell signal.
NVDA stock reset its base tally when the chart pattern it started forming in February was lower than its previous base low. The stock continued to form and come out of a second leg base in August.
Whether you sell or hold (all or part of) depends on many factors, not the least of which is, when did you buy it?
An investor who bought NVDA shares in April 2020 is in a very different position – and mindset – than those who bought during the breakout in August of this year.
The investor who bought in April 2020 is still sitting on a big cushion of profit. The person who bought last August saw a decent profit wipe out, with the very real threat of a big loss looming.
Protect your wallet, prepare your watchlist
A market correction is definitely the time to avoid further purchases and protect your portfolio by locking in some profits and limiting losses.
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to take a look at growth stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, AMD, and Alphabet that have come under selling pressure after doing some great runs. Which key moving averages have become resistance ceilings, and which lines will turn out to be support floors?
Also understand that stock market corrections ultimately lead to bullish stock market trends. No one knows for sure when the market will recover and rebound, but we do know what to look for – a day’s follow-up. While not all follow-up days work, sustained climbs never start without one.
Even in a bear market – in fact, especially in a market – keep an eye on the bigger picture and the stock market today for any signs of a market rally and potential follow-up. This will be the most reliable indicator that the stock market trend has changed for the better.
Follow Matthew Galgani on Twitter at @IBD_MGalgani.
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