First big sell off, what to consider?

Sep 19, 2017 21 Comments

I contacted fidelity about a question, a rep responded with an email asking when I good time to talk would be, I told the rep, never heard from said rep again. So who else better to turn to than the tried and true Blind community, ha.

I went to make my first, what I'd consider "big" stock sell off the other day. About 60k. Before confirming the order I was prompted with a message I hadn't seen before making sure I've assigned my "tax lots" the way I'd like them. This was the first I'd heard of assigning tax lots, got me wondering what other considerations I'm unaware of that I should be heeding for this kind of order.

I have enough money working for me in the market, skimming some off the top to put in a high yield or something, some "opportunistic" funds.

I'm obviously aware of the tax hit on the gains, are there any other surprises waiting to pounce on a novice investor when cashing out worth knowing?

Thanks Fideli...er, Blind

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TOP 21 Comments
  • VMware
    tTCM60

    Go to company page VMware

    tTCM60
    It's simple. Don't sell.
    Sep 19, 2017 10
  • Gen!x / Eng
    ixptl12

    Gen!x Eng

    PRE
    startups, JPMorgan Chase
    BIO
    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    ixptl12
    These advises are horrible

    Selling stock to rebalance as financial circumstances change is a valid financial strategy.

    Op, tax lot just allows you to decide what lots to sell. For most people FIFO is good. For some of us who over-strategize this crap we may choose alternate. I might LIFO a tax lot to diminish my return as long as it’s still LTCG viable.

    There are no other land mines beyond short term vs long term capital gains.
    Sep 19, 2017 0
  • Intuit
    kzinti

    Go to company page Intuit

    kzinti
    You're already positioned to take advantage of a down turn just by dollar cost averaging. Only pull money out to chase higher yield, but don't do it without a plan.
    Sep 19, 2017 0
  • Did you select the lots you wanted to sell? Are you only selling stock lots you've held long term or short term lots as well?
    Sep 19, 2017 3
  • Fidelity automatically sells your oldest lots first I think to make sure you get long term capital gains if possible
    Sep 19, 2017 2