Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Forced Seller


A Stock is a slice of ownership in an underlying business. The Stock Price is not it’s value. It is the amount agreed between the last buyer and seller to swap money and ownership. Very different from if the entire business was sold, but a reasonable guess if you wanted to sell now. If someone offered you a fraction of the value of your home, you’d laugh them off. You prefer to remain an owner. Same deal here, except homes aren’t sold by the brick. The main aim is not to be a Forced Seller. When someone offers you a ridiculous price, and you have to take it because of external demands. Because you need the cash. Being a long-term owner means you need to have a buffer for short term shocks. Shocks that have nothing to do with the business and everything to do with immediate needs. You need to be able to cover the Basics. Markets function best when everyone is calm, informed, empowered, and making decisions based on all the information available. Willing buyer. Willing seller. There is seldom a reason to rush, even in the centre of chaos. Breathe. Don’t force it. This too will pass.


pic by: Ben Molyneux

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