Selling is a personal and difficult decision. Many seasoned investors decide before they buy a security at which price they will sell. In general, people sell when:

• the security reaches the target price, and it's time to take a profit.
• the goal has been reached, and the profit is used to pay for the goal.
• goals or objectives change.
• the value of the security drops below the investor's target price.
• the investor's asset allocation needs to be rebalanced.
• a company's products are not keeping up with technology; cut your losses.
• the reason the security was bought is no longer valid.
• they need to offset a capital gain.
• they can't sleep because of worry or another option may prove more restful.

To compare and analyze potential stocks before purchasing, use the Value Line Investment Surveyavailable in most public libraries. It has in-depth listings for more than 1,700 stocks and provides many details on each company's finances, revenue, and earnings estimates for this year and the next. You will want to check the Standard and Poor's Stock Guidefor information on more than 5,300 companies. Information in these publications is updated frequently.

Use the Morningstar Mutual Fundsfor information about mutual funds. Monthly financial magazines such as Money, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Worth, Fortune, Mutual Funds,and Smart Moneyare also good sources of information on mutual funds. Also check online computer services that have investment information.

Before buying stocks or mutual funds, use the worksheets as guidelines to compare similar equities and determine whether they meet your personal selection criteria.