In this current economic downturn is there anything particular that the amateur investor can do to limit his or her risk? If you are in penny stocks and shares for the long term all you can do is wait it out and hope your choice of shares were the right ones. There is no sense in selling at a low price all you will do is ensure you make a loss. If you have shares with a view to making a quick profit your options are very limited. You could sell now before the shares drop even further, accept your loss and save what capital you still have until the market shows some signs of recovery. The big question is how do you decide that the recovery is about to happen, it can only be guesswork but that is the thrill of the stock market.