I also sold my shares of WBA (Walgreens Boots Alliance) a bit too early. I sold my entire position at $10.20 per share, believing I had secured a reasonable profit. However, shortly afterward, the stock price increased, and watching it continue to rise was definitely frustrating. I felt as though I had missed out on additional gains that could have been achieved if I had held onto the shares just a bit longer. Over time, however, my perspective began to change, especially now that the price has come back down and closed at $8.81 yesterday.

In hindsight, I am actually glad I locked in my gains when I did. Timing the market is notoriously difficult, and holding out for the peak often comes with significant risk. The fluctuations in WBA's price are a clear reminder of how quickly conditions can change, and that riding out the highs and lows can be both stressful and uncertain. While there is always the potential for further gains by holding, there is also a considerable risk of seeing those profits erode or even vanish if the stock takes an unexpected downturn.

Selling early can sometimes feel as though money has been left on the table, but I try to remind myself that realizing a profit is the ultimate goal. Selling at a price I am satisfied with, even if it is not the absolute peak, still counts as a success. In this case, by choosing not to wait for the perfect high, I avoided the recent drop in price that brought WBA back below my selling point. This reinforces the value of setting a target price and adhering to it, rather than attempting to navigate short-term fluctuations.

This experience has also strengthened my commitment to an investment strategy that aligns with my risk tolerance. While holding longer can sometimes yield greater rewards, it is often accompanied by increased risk. For me, taking profits when I felt comfortable with the gain made more sense than holding on and hoping the price would continue to rise. Ultimately, realizing a gain is preferable to risking a potential loss, particularly in a volatile market such as this one.