Facebook Headed Higher: How to Play It

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- If you haven't checked out The Reformed Broker's new Side Street blog at TheStreet, you should.

It can make you a better trader or investor.

For example, the blog post Josh selected Monday, from chessNwine, nailed Facebook's (FB) action:

Given the gap-up this morning, I would not buy Facebook right here, right now, but you can be sure I am stalking any consolidation for a swing long entry point.

After that A.M. gap-up -- to as high as $28.88 after a $28 even open -- FB closed down 3.4% at $27.04. Not a shock given the stock's recent strength; it's up roughly 55% over the last three months.

So, that's how a swing trader is handling Facebook, but what if you're a long-term investor.

Also see: Short Amazon: Do You Have the Guts? >>

First and foremost, there's nothing wrong with taking profits, even in a stock with legs. Never regret taking money off of the table. Doesn't matter if Facebook heads to $100.

Did you get out with a capital gain? If you can answer yes, proceed to the next trade or investment. (For that matter, if you answer no, take your lumps and move along). As my colleague, TheStreet contributor Robert Weinstein likes to say: If you're not leaving money on the table, you're not making money. And, as I say, if a stock dumps you, don't come back to it, even for a quickie, on the rebound.

If you're not going to bank profits, accumulate.

The investing elite likes to scoff at the notion of dollar-cost averaging. They cite studies that show buying $10,000 worth of stock at one time works better than investing a little each month. Those studies are garbage, primarily because it's not possible to get a reliable sample. Plus, not everybody has ten grand to drop on one stock, let alone the handful or more they want to buy.

Also see: Jim Cramer: Why the Cliff Makes the Short Side Look Good >>

Timing matters too much in that mess. So don't waste your time with it.

Focus on your circumstances. How much money do you have to invest in a lump sum? How much can you invest weekly, bi-weekly or monthly? Do you have the time to mind your portfolio daily? Ultimately, you need to do what suits you. If you're not in the right stocks, it doesn't matter much when you buy them or how you spread out your investments, if at all.

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