Mr. M as we have previously discussed, your recent performance has been less than expected for someone in your position, with your experience. I realize that you have been with the company for over 10 years and were an Achiever during that time, but your recent behavior is not something that can be tolerated in this organization and your qualifications no longer meet the criteria set forth in this position's job description. It is nothing personal, but I'm going to have to let you go. You will be escorted to your desk and be allowed to gather your personal effects, then escorted out of my portfolio!
On Monday of this week Washington Mutual (WM) announced that they were slashing their dividend. This was not totally unexpected, WM's mortgage business has suffered as a result of the sub-prime meltdown. I held a small position in WM when the announcement came out.
One of the more difficult decisions an investor has to make is when to sell? In this instance, it was not a difficult decision for me. As a income investor I expect the companies I invest in to increase their dividends each year. If times are tough and a company holds its dividend flat for one year, it will be evaluated based on expectations of future performance and I could decide to hold on to it for an additional year and then evaluate it again. However, I want no part of a company that cuts its dividend, as such, I sold my position in WM on Tuesday. It seems I am not the only person that feels this way, WM's price continued to fall during the week.
Full disclosure: At the time of this writing, I do not own shares of WM.
What rules do you consider when deciding to sell a stock?
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WaMu cutting their dividend would have been a sell sign for me as well.
I have been experimenting with the Magic Formula. I was selling a group of my winners yesterday and I was contemplating keeping a couple of the stocks in my Dividend portfolio.
However, when I looked at the history their dividend was all over the place. This made my decision for me. I must stay focused on companies that continue to increase dividends.
-Jake (The Dividend Investing Blog)
After my initial research, but before I make a long-term commitment to a company. I will buy a small position and hold it it for a period of time. This forces me to focus on the company, read its news and generally get to know how it operates. This is where I was at with WM.
If I like what I learn then I gradually increase my position, otherwise I exit my position.
Best Wishes,
D4L
Good decision in my opinion. As a dividend growth investor you need a framework to operate in, and a definate sell signal like that.