Glindway and Marlboro:

Thank you for your input. It is much appreciated. One restriction here in the States on deductibility of capital losses. Your capital losses are limited to 3000 $ in excess. Thus if you lose a total of 6,000 for the year, you can only take 3,000 of the loss and you have to then carry the remaining 3,000 over to the next year. Obviously. if one has a really bad year, your heirs would have to take the losses as part of your final estate tax return. Does that seem a bit diabolical, or just typical government!

Again thanks!

Brian