why do breakouts like today happen?, page-3

Acc, I think we would all like to understand how to answer that question. I know exactly how you feel though, my memory is etched with the memory of doing exactly what you've done about 6 months ago - on Aril 3rd to be exact. I thought the same thing after holding since the low 30's, waiting patiently for 3-4 months, and then one day deciding that the early day price was a peak for the day sold at 51.5, and not even 15 minutes later the price jumped to 60. I waited for it to come back down but it never did - I finally bought back in in the low 90's.

All I can say is something you hear a lot of on HC - the trend is your friend. Certainly protect yourself against losses, take partial profits, but leave something on the table until a turn in the trend has been confirmed. Better to take the final profit a little bit after the peak than anticipating the peak and finding out after that in fact the price still had a long way to go. These are all strategies employed precisely because we cant predict precisely what is going to happen or when. Far better to achieve 70-80% of target than shoot for 100% and get 0% or worse.

Since April 3rd I have not taken an entire position off the table in one hit like that - and had no cause for regret so far, whereas I will regret the day for a long time still to come.

So sorry I havent answered your question, but I know exactly where you're coming from and I'd like to know the answer too. Hopefully for your sake you get another buying opportunity - there will be ups and downs. Cheers, Sharks.