Donald Cassidy

Donald Cassidy was senior research analyst for Lipper Inc., a Reuters Co., from 1990 to 2006. He recently founded the Retirement Investing Institute, a nonprofit educational foundation, and is the author of five books on personal investing, including “It’s When You Sell That Counts” (now in its third edition). Contact the author at don@R-I-I.org.

Articles by this Author

1. 

   Stock Strategies »

   How to Set and Revise Realistic Price Targets for Your Stocks

   Stocks go where they want to, despite what investors might wish would happen. How to develop a realistic sales-price target--and when it should be revised.

   May 2009 | Journal

2. Stock Strategies »

   The Sell Decision: What to Do After a Severe Market Meltdown

   For current investors, the focus now should be on what to do in and after a severe bear market if you are investing your own portfolio of individual stocks.

   November 2008 | Journal

3. 

   Stock Strategies »

   How to Nail Down Your Profits: 20 Questions for a Disciplined Approach

   Much attention is given to studying what to buy, but inadequate energy is devoted to the hold/sell decision. This is backward, since dollars already invested are at more risk than cash not yet invested. How you can implement a disciplined approach to your decisions on whether and when to sell.

   August 2008 | Journal

4. Features »

   Do Dividends Still Matter? Yes—And Here's Why

   Stock Selection Strategies: Even in the extraordinary market climate of the past several years, dividend actions have been strong predictors of stock-price action. Dividend yields also provide a cushion under prices when stocks go through sinking spells.

   August 2001 | Journal

5. Features »

   When to Sell a Stock: Practical and Profitable Rules

   Stock Selection Strategies: Many investors feel the odds are against them if they sell. The mutual fund industry drums the buy and hold refrain; but growth funds have holding periods of slightly under a year. Rules for selling stock.

   May 2001 | Journal

6. Features »

   Shedding the Light on Value in Forgotten and Ignored Places

   Stock Selection Strategies: Two areas of value in the market are virtually ignored by brokerage firms' research departments and rarely traded by institutional investors: Closed-end funds and recently issued preferred stocks.

   November 2000 | Journal

7. Features »

   Bad News and Price Disasters: Avoiding, Responding, Coping

   Stock Selection Strategies: While FDA denials, post-merger write-offs, product delays, and accounting frauds do drop stock prices harshly, the most frequent culprit is an earnings disappointment, the next most common is an earnings or growth warning.

   August 2000 | Journal

8. Features »

   Speculating vs. Investing in the Current Market Environment

   Stock Selection Strategies: It takes discipline to leave the game while it's still so much fun. But if you are able to do so, you can find a surprising array of growth opportunities while assuming greatly reduced risk.

   May 2000 | Journal

9. Features »

   Smart Investing in REITs: Avoiding the High-Yield Trap

   Dividend Stocks: One out-of-favor group that represents value and provides an attractive cash flow is REITs. However, REITs come in several varieties with differing risks and attractions.

   November 1999 | Journal

10. Features »

    Investing in Utility Stocks: It's a Brave New World

    Dividend Stocks: Competition in electric, gas, and telephone service means that a utility company providing an essential service is not guaranteed to do so profitiably enough to pay assured dividends.

    August 1999 | Journal

11. Features »

    Equity-Income Investing: Beware of Yield Overreaching

    Income Stocks: An income-oriented equity paying a no-growth dividend carries the downside of a bond without a bond's income or principal guarantees. A steady dividend rate is not good enough; steady dividend growth should be your standard.

    May 1999 | Journal