By Jim Hagarty
2014
How much does fear cost? I might have an answer. On Feb. 26, I bought 1,000 shares of Ballard Power Systems for $3.64 a share. The same day, I got a bit nervous as it was a company I had never owned and even though it had been doing great things this year, I “trusted my instincts” and sold it for $3.64, breaking even, except for the trading fees of $19.90. I congratulated myself on my caution. Today, the stock reached a high so far of $9.32. That is an increase of $5.68 in 10 trading days. Had I held on, I would have made $5,680.00 instead of $0.00 and that’s if I sold it today. It might even go higher. The swelling from the self-inflicted claw hammer blows to the side of my head is going down and the doctor thinks I have lost only five IQ points but having plenty left, I should be fine. Also he is still picking some shards of glass out of my shoulder where I hurled myself through a window. Good old FDR: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
