a strong sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong sell" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a business or financial context to indicate that a particular stock or asset is expected to perform poorly and should be sold. Example: "Analysts have rated the stock as a strong sell due to declining market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

On Thursday, Muddy Waters said NQ Mobile was a "strong sell".

The New York Times

Some suggest that Mr. Bloomberg's business background has also made him a strong sell to Washington lawmakers who are otherwise cool to New York.

The New York Times

Last April The Economist's Big Mac index flashed a strong sell sign for the dollar: it was more overvalued than at any time in the index's history (see article).

The Economist

"As you've never heard it before" was perhaps a bit of a strong sell for this performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio by Solomon's Knot, the final event of the Spitalfields Music winter festival.

The Guardian - Music

So if I may borrow a little vocabulary from the business pages, I am hereby putting a strong sell recommendation on "Burleigh Grime$," a feeble-witted comedy about dirty dealings on Wall Street that opened last night at New World Stages.

The New York Times

Only two analysts track the company: One rates it a "hold"; the other, a "strong sell".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A strong sell-off in the stock market last year caused a 66percentt increase in capital gains by New Jersey investors, an "all-time high," said Treasurer Roland Machold.

The New York Times

A tax bill that is guaranteed to rise significantly is not a strong selling point.

The New York Times

Barneys is also sensitive to price, Ms. Vitale said, but exclusivity is a strong selling point.

The New York Times

Foulds agrees that pastoral care could remain a strong selling point.

The Guardian

In the absence of experience, willingness is a strong selling point.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strong sell" in financial writing, ensure you provide clear reasoning and data to support your recommendation. Back up your analysis with evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong sell" lightly. It signifies a high degree of confidence in the prediction of poor performance, not just a mild concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong sell" functions as a recommendation in financial contexts. According to Ludwig, it's generally considered correct for indicating a firm suggestion to sell an asset due to anticipated poor performance. It is often used by analysts in financial reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a strong sell" is a common and grammatically correct term primarily used in financial and business contexts. According to Ludwig, it denotes a firm recommendation to sell an asset, such as a stock, due to the expectation of poor performance. Its usage is prevalent in news and media sources, with a professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear reasoning and supporting data to justify the recommendation. Alternatives include "sell recommendation" and "negative outlook".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sell recommendation

Focuses on the recommendation aspect rather than the strength of the suggestion.

negative outlook

Indicates a pessimistic forecast, implying selling may be wise.

avoid investing

Advises against putting money into a particular asset.

poor investment

Highlights the low quality of an investment opportunity.

divestiture advised

Suggests selling off assets, often in a corporate context.

unfavorable rating

Points to a negative assessment of a stock or commodity.

high risk investment

Highlights potential losses associated with an investment.

not recommended

Indicates that something isn't advised, broader than just investments.

decline expected

Predicts a downturn in value or performance.

dump the stock

An informal way of saying to quickly sell a stock.

FAQs

How is "a strong sell" typically used in financial contexts?

In financial contexts, "a strong sell" indicates a firm recommendation to sell a particular stock or asset due to expectations of significant underperformance. Analysts often use this term when they anticipate considerable losses or decline in value.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "a strong sell"?

You can use alternatives like "sell recommendation", "negative outlook", or "avoid investing" depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What does it mean when an analyst rates a stock as "a strong sell"?

When an analyst rates a stock as "a strong sell", it means they strongly advise investors to sell their shares. This rating suggests the analyst has a high degree of confidence that the stock's price will decrease significantly.

Is "a strong sell" only used in the context of stocks and investments?

While "a strong sell" is most commonly used in the context of stocks and investments, it can be applied to other assets or situations where a firm recommendation to divest or avoid is warranted. However, it is less common outside of financial or business discussions.