I'm iffy on exactly how to raise my portfolio value. If i have some stocks that are in the (Red) when i sell those, is that helping my portfolio by releasing bad investments? Also if i have some stocks in (green) that are positive, do I raise my portfolio by holding those stocks or selling while it is up and taking the cash ammount? Right now i'm seeing that when i release the Negative (red) stocks my portfolio value seems to go up a little but it also rises when i sell for profit. Someone help me understand this please!

all prices you see are delayed 15 minutes from the time you see them. a stock can go up or down from the time you sell to the time it goes through. i have had that happen. i might sell a stock for a $100 gain but it might go through as even by the time it finalizes.  so no profit.

 Your porfolio value represents your stock losses and gains. What you see is what you have. If you have a stock in the red and you don't think it will go up or it is heading down fast, SELL it. If you have a stock in the green and it starts to go down, sell it. You don't want to lose your profit. BUT, it is good to do research on your stocks because then you can determine the pattern the stock will go and if you should hold on to it or not.. A lot of different circumstances determines on what a stock does. There is always a risk. Corporate meetings or announcements can cause a stock to rise or fall. Watch news announcements to find out about stocks you are interested in. Don't be afraid to post questions. All the members are always very helpful. Have fun and Good Luck!!!

Okay, so say for instance i have 10 different stocks running. 5 of those which are in green and say my profit is $500 for each of those and they are on the up or stable. The other 5 stocks are losing profit of $500 each and are dropping or stable. Would i sell off the dropping Red stocks along with the stable Red stock? Or would i sell off the stocks going up in order to take the profit from those and keep the Stable Reds while ridding the Dropping red stocks? Sorry i'm just confused because i see my portfolio jump from $92,000 - $105,000 when i make certain sells then is drops down to $88,000 and finally evens out at $92-93,000 after about 15 min.

 This is where your research comes in. Check your charts/history on your stocks. If the 5 stocks that are dropping show that they are on a downward spin, sell them. You don't want to hold on to them and lose more. If you like those stocks, put them on a watchlist and buy them when they are at a lower price so you can catch them on the upswing. Do the same with the 5 winning stocks. Remember daily news can also give you input on yours stocks. Quarterly earnings and corporate announcements also affect the stocks. Remember, this is play money so try different things and learn from your mistakes. Have fun and Good Luck!!!

p.s. - BTW, consultation feesl is $50.00!!! lol   j/k

is there a chance that those red stocks are going to turn green? if so wait until they are green to sell them...otherwise sell them at the best price (your lowest loss) and buy something you can make some gains with...you want to be constantly growing your portfolio...once a stock becomes stagnant...sell...if it starts to take a dip downward but is still green...sell...of course this is just generalizations....it is hard to be specific without talking about a real portfolio...but i hope you get the idea...

Thank you for the help! you were both very helpful, i just hope i can get out of this rut! I was up on everything yesterday but today half of my stocks opened at a low price and it killed me. I guess i gotta read the news.

you should use your stop loss to guard against losing a whole lot.

model67a:

you should use your stop loss to guard against losing a whole lot.

One thing to consider when using a stop on any stock, remember it cost you $10 it's the same as placing a new order, So if you use them dont set them for Good for the Day, set them Good Until Cancelled, that way if at the bell your stock didnt hit that target price it will remain on there and you wont have to worry about spending another $10 the next day to place another

PS if your stock climbs high you'll want to adjust that stop.

Thanks James!!!! 

JamesLT, Are you 100% on this? They charge even if there is no transaction?    It is my understanding there only is a charge if the limit is activated.

I place Stops and set them at Good For the Day every day for all of my stocks.  The $10 is only charged when the transaction takes place.

I TOO HAVE BEEN CURIOUS ON THE FEE FOR SETTING UP BUY AND SELL LIMITS ON "GOOD TIL CANCELLED" OPTION. IS IT DAY BY DAY I PAY A FEE. AND IF I CHOOSE TO CANCEL THAT LIMIT OPTION AND CHANGE IT DO I THEN AGAIN PAY ANOTHER $10 FEE? IM KEEPING A GOOD EYE ON THIS ONE. I WILL LET ANYONE KNOW IF I CAN FIND A CONCLUSION.