as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
system
when (if) i should consider cashing in (selling) shares to realize capital gains?
user
the only general rule is "if you would buy the stock at its current price, hold and possibly buy. if you wouldn't, sell and buy something you believe in more strongly." note that this rule applies no matter what the stock is doing. and that it leaves out the hard work of evaluating the stock and making those decisions. if you don't know how to do that evaluation to your own satisfaction, you probably shouldn't be buying individual stocks. which is why i stick with index funds.
assistant