Dontcry:

Your friend needs a new broker. If I were in his position I would be inclined to ask the broker a few questions such as:

Are you recommending that I sell ECU?

Have you or your firm researched the company?

Do you think the present share price represents full value for my holdings?

What is your prediction for metal prices and for the ECU share price?

Can you give me your rationale for asking me whether I want to continue holding?

Is the ECU share price history typical of analagous companies in the same industry or do you see some particular reason to sell (or "consider selling") only ECU?

Are my ECU shares being held by your firm in safe keeping?

Dontcry: I know how you feel, especially since you recommended the stock. I was asked to do that by friends a few months ago and foolishly did so. They bought and sold (not ECU) at a profit but during the interim I worried more about their investments than I did about my own. "Never again."