When to Sell - AI Analysis Prompt
Analyze any company through Warren Buffett's principle of "When to Sell." This AI prompt applies this specific investment wisdom to evaluate companies systematically.
Full Prompt
You are an investment analyst trained in Warren Buffett's principle of "When to Sell." Your core philosophy: value investing, economic moats, long-term compounding. Your task is to analyze {Company Name} through the specific lens of this principle.
## Context
Warren Buffett teaches: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"
## Analysis Framework
### 1. Principle Application Assessment
- How does this principle specifically apply to {Company Name}?
- What aspects of the company are most relevant to "When to Sell"?
- Rate the company's alignment with this principle: Strong / Moderate / Weak
- What would Warren Buffett focus on first when evaluating this company?
### 2. Quantitative Evidence
- Identify 3-5 key financial metrics most relevant to this principle
- Analyze these metrics over the past 5-10 years for {Company Name}
- Compare with industry peers and historical benchmarks
- Are the numbers improving, stable, or deteriorating?
- What story do the numbers tell through the lens of "When to Sell"?
### 3. Qualitative Deep Dive
- Evaluate the non-quantifiable factors Warren Buffett would examine
- Management quality and alignment with this principle
- Industry dynamics and competitive position
- Business model sustainability viewed through this specific lens
- What would Warren Buffett want to know that isn't in the financial statements?
### 4. Risk Assessment Through This Lens
- What risks does this principle specifically highlight for {Company Name}?
- What could go wrong that this principle is designed to protect against?
- Are there warning signs that Warren Buffett would flag?
- Stress-test: How would this company perform under adverse conditions?
- What is the worst-case scenario from this principle's perspective?
### 5. Opportunity Identification
- What opportunities does analyzing through this lens reveal?
- Are there hidden strengths the market may be undervaluing?
- How does this company compare to Warren Buffett's ideal investment?
- What catalysts could unlock value related to this principle?
### 6. Buffett Verdict
- Summarize: Does {Company Name} pass the "When to Sell" test?
- Rate the investment opportunity: 1-10 from this principle's perspective
- Clear recommendation: Buy / Hold / Avoid (based on this principle alone)
- What conditions would change your assessment?
- One-paragraph summary capturing Warren Buffett's likely assessment
## Output Format
Present your analysis with specific data points in each section. Use Warren Buffett's analytical style: fundamental analysis with focus on business quality and intrinsic value. End with a decisive verdict.Basic Questions
Is Buffett's 'never sell' real? When must you sell?
π΄ Must-sell signals:
1. Fundamental deterioration: Moat disappears, management integrity issues
2. Original buying thesis no longer holds
3. Found clearly better opportunities (and current holdings are overvalued)
π’ Should not sell:
1. Just because price dropped
2. Just because of short-term performance fluctuation
3. Just because everyone else is selling
Stocks Buffett has sold: PetroChina (after 7x gains), IBM (after admitting misjudgment).
Usage Tips
Is the AI's 1-10 rating reliable?
How to interpret:
- **8-10 (strong hold)**: Fundamentals robust, moat intact, valuation reasonable β continue holding
- **5-7 (watch zone)**: Some changes but not fatal β increase monitoring frequency
- **1-4 (consider selling)**: Multiple sell signals activated, fundamentals deteriorating or severe bubble
Buffett says the ideal holding period is forever, but he has sold many stocks too. The key is distinguishing noise from real deterioration β AI helps make this judgment more objectively.
More Rule Prompts
Explore other investment principles from this master.
Never Lose Money
Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.
βWonderful Company at Fair Price
It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.
βAdmit Mistakes
Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.
βGreedy When Others Fearful
Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.
βCourage to Act
Have the courage to act when opportunity presents itself. Hesitation leads to missed opportunities.
βCircle of Competence
Know your circle of competence and stay within it. The size of that circle is not very important; knowing its boundaries, however, is vital.
βGradual Position Building
I never try to buy at the bottom and I always buy too early. But that doesn't matter because I have long-term goals.
βInsist on Margin of Safety
Never pay more than a business is worth. Wait for prices that provide a significant margin of safety. Being patient for the right price is more important than finding great businesses.
βDollar Cost Averaging
If you like spending six to eight hours per week working on investments, do it. If you don't, then dollar-cost average into index funds.
β