We may have different methodologies, my freind, but we are in total agreement ... looking to get back to even is a losers game, much as thinking a stock will go back to the high price levels it has seen in the past just because it has been there before. A stock is worth what the market will give you for it at any point in time. If you paid $30, the markets could care less and may only give you $3 for it now ... take it or leave it. It will not go back to $30 just because you poaid that for it. And your call on discovering a stock before institutions find it is intellectually spot on ... the problem is knowing which ones will be future winners and which will not. Most do not even come close to their early potential (do I hear the name Anika?). That is why I look for the big volume stepping in ... it tells me I have a winner and that lowers the risk, imo. Thanks for the stimulating discourse and let's hope others benefit from it. Good investing to you.