Selling is simple, knowing when to, is tough.

The act of selling:

To sell your shares, you will need to contact your sharebroker or financial adviser. If you do not have a broker, you can obtain details of brokers in your area here.

If you have no current broking account and no intention of acquiring other shares, a one-off sale can be made. You can talk to any broker and provide them with the relevant holding details, Securityholder Reference Number (SRN), photo I.D. and bank account details and the transaction can be completed.

Selling worthless shares:  If you have worthless shares to sell, that can be achieved here.

When should I sell?

Selling is a vital step in the process of managing a share portfolio.

If you are monitoring that portfolio closely you will improve your chances of selling at the right time.

Monitoring should tell you:

  Whether the reasons why you bought the shares in the first place still exist.

  Whether the underlying business continues performing.

  Whether the company still has prospects.

  Whether the share price is well above (or well below) the real worth of the company.

Also consider these points:

1.  
   1.    The old industry adage that says you sell shares only if you need the money or if your company has changed for the worse.
   3.   
   1.    It may not be a good idea to sell shares just because they have performed well (and by the same token retain those that have performed badly).

    

   1.    Do your homework on the company, on the market and on the sector and above all make your decision objectively based on the company's prospects.

    

   1.    What you are going to do with proceeds if you sell.

    

   1.    Take account of the impact of taxation if that is relevant and significant.