Buy & Hold vs Active Profit Booking – What actually works?

I currently hold close to **20 stocks** in my portfolio. Most of them are in **decent to very good profit**, but there are **3–4 stocks** that have been frustratingly stagnant. Examples: * **HUL** – bought in 2021 at \~1900, currently around 2300. After 4–5 years, returns are hardly exciting. * **Asian Paints** – bought in 2021 at \~2200, same story, keeps swinging in a range. * **Gujarat Gas** – again, range-bound for years. When I started investing, I picked these stocks thinking they were *safe, stable, blue-chip names* and followed the classic **buy & hold** mindset without much deeper analysis. Back then, I believed that holding quality companies long-term would automatically compound well. But now I’m genuinely questioning that belief. Even after **4–5 years**, these stocks haven’t really generated meaningful returns compared to the opportunity cost. Meanwhile, other stocks in my portfolio (with better growth or sector momentum) have done much better in a shorter time. This makes me wonder: * Does **buy & hold** really work for *all* good companies? * Or does it only work when **earnings growth + valuation + sector tailwinds** align? * Is it wiser to **sell partially or fully** when stocks are range-bound for years and reallocate to better opportunities? * Why should we stay emotionally attached to a stock just because it’s “quality”? Personally, I’m now considering **selling some of these stocks on rallies** and redeploying capital elsewhere instead of waiting endlessly for a breakout that may or may not come. Would love to hear thoughts from experienced investors?