Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)

Company

HPQ 1-year chart HPQ 1-year chart

"HP, the world’s largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008." (company website)

HPQ 6-month chart
HPQ 6-month chart

Buy

Various dates. I bought these shares of HPQ as part of the share purchase plan while I was an HP employee, way back in the olden days.

Sell

gain Bottom line
233%

14-Oct-08. I considered selling these shares last year when they peaked over $50, but they served as ballast for my Trader Paul account, allowing me to wheel and deal on cheaper stocks. I decided at that time to just hold.

The recent turmoil in the market, however, did great damage to my portfolio value, and when prices rallied following the coordinated global intervention in the financial system, I put in a trailing stop to preserve capital. This morning the order executed.

I will sit on the sidelines a bit until the market stabilizes.