Leggett & Platt Inc (LEG)

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This discussion prompted me to review the history of my LEG holding.

I rarely sell stocks except to grab a rare tax loss, but I sold about 15% of my LEG in 2014 and another 15% early 2017. In both cases the sale occurred around $45, the current market price. LEG has done almost nothing in the past 5 years although its div increased impressively every year.

Years ago LEG was my largest stock holding. My goal in selling twice was simply to bring that holding more in line with the rest of my investments. Meanwhile most of my other blue chips have soared, as have my various funds.

Why don't I like to sell winners? Consider this. Just a few months ago I sold off some of my outsized long-held position in Cintas Corp at $230. Friday it closed at $300. As a general rule, "The More You Trade, The More You Lose." Several academic studies have shown that.