Investing: When to 'take money off the table'

As the stock market veers in unpredictable fashion, many investors want to “take money off the table.” That is, sell stock from an investment portfolio. But is that the best strategy? And where do they put that money? One expert argues that by “taking money off the table,” an investor is merely reacting emotionally to a short-term trend rather than calmly considering his or her long-term goals. A better strategy is to create a mix of stocks and bonds that fits with an investor’s risk profile and long-term investment objectives.