[[Should I consider selling the stock held over a year and pay the 28% tax bite, or continue to hold it
for the 18 month period which will reduce the tax bite to 20%? Or, should I sell some of the stock
held for the last two months - and then should it be the stock to date of sale possibly showing a
negative ROI (return on investment)loss, a lower percentage ROI gain, or the higher percentage
ROI gain; or, a combination of gainers/losers to offset or create a wash for taxes? Certainly selling
only one of the stocks would involve the least commission due too (I now trade on-line myself
through Ameritrade). Any and each of these moves would have a different affect on my 1998 taxes.]]

Again, this is an issue that simply can't be viewed in a vaccum. Without knowing your entire financial situation, it is really impossible to respond. As was mentioned in an earlier post, you could throw "borrowing" into the mix, and complicate things further. Which may be a valid option, given your specific circumstances.

Much will also depend on the invidual stock involved. If you have confidence in the shares. What their short term outlook seems to be.

So, given all of these variables, it is difficult for me to comment. Perhaps some other Fools would like to speculate.

TMF Taxes
Roy