Holding Through Earnings

PCLN (Priceline)reported earnings yesterday after market close and did not disappoint. The stock shot over $226 after-hours. This is a good example of the risk/ reward of holding a stock through its earnings announcement. Stocks announcing after market close can trade in huge swings after-hours. Had I not sold PCLN chances are I'd be looking at an extra $ 1500.00 dollars in the portfolio this morning. However, for this exercise it was not realistic to do so. Had PCLN reported earnings not meeting expectations the stock could have seen $190 this morning. This is a bonafide attempt on my part to see if I can generate enough income trading from a beginning base of $ 50K. At this point, such risky, but at times rewarding moves, are not part of the plan. When and if the portflio reaches $250-300,000 we can make those choices.....hence the saying, it takes money to make (serious) money.