Now's the time to sell stocks?

Now's the time to sell stocks?

The U.S. Stock Market, as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, peaked at 11,908 in January 2000, after which it fell 40 percent, erasing whatever unrealized capital gains U.S. stockholders had at that peak.

Then it rose to a new peak -- 14,270 in October 2007, after which it fell 55 percent again, decimating unrealized capital gains.

Since then, it rose to another all-time peak at 19,226 on Nov. 20, 2016. Guess what is likely to happen next.

The moral of the story is NOW is the third time in the century to sell, reaping significant capital gains. Or better yet, give appreciated shares to your favorite church, college or charity. Why sell the shares, give the IRS the capital gains tax and gift the residue to you good-works entity? Why not gives the shares and thus 1) make a more substantial gift and 2) have a bigger write-off at tax time next year?

John Cornwell

Bella Vista