That is very deep thinking PC, but maybe it needs to be simplified instead. I do not disagree particularly with what you said, just that the definitions seem inadequate somehow. I think the definitions of trader and investor also depend on one's attitude at the time. Sometimes, I buy a stock because it just seems so undervalued at the time. Sometimes I buy a stock because I like the industry and/or the company. I bought COS a while ago because it was a pure play in the oil sands and I felt that over time that would be a great investment. I do not get too worried or excited on good or bad news regarding this company. I am more concerned about the long term supply and demand for oil as that is what drives this price in the long term. That is an investment to me, and I agree that investments tend to more often pay dividends. I bought RYG a few months ago because its stock price collapsed from over $2 to under 60c with no significant news. It was almost trading for its cash value so I bought. It went up around 50% on no news so I sold. That is a trade to me.

I originally bought GNH as a trade as it had gone down so much and a friend liked it so much. The idea was to catch some of the bounce back up and make a bit of a profit. It was supposed to be a trade. That did not work out very well for me. The results kept showing gold there at a decent grade and looking like there was substantial tonnage, so I averaged down and decided to keep this stock and see if it proves out a resource. It is now an investment to me.

I guess what I am saying is these definitions are a bit fluid to me and trying to pigeon hole a style has limited use. I do agree with you in general that you should do both trading and investing, in whichever way you feel most comfortable.

Bob