My Personal Finance Journey

Personal finance observation, musing and decisions in a journey toward financial independence by 2020 with at least $3 million.


By Topics

Overall:
0. About (10)
1. My Progress (139)
2. Car & Home (107)
3. Credit (138)
4. Banking (33)
5. Saving (49)
6. Investing (308)
7. Taxes (89)
8. Spending (74)
9. Misc (97)
A. Archive (49)



MONTHLY ARCHIVE

Feb 2014 (3)
Jan 2014 (6)
Jan 2012 (1)
Apr 2011 (1)
Mar 2011 (1)
Feb 2011 (1)
Jan 2011 (1)
Dec 2010 (1)
Oct 2010 (1)
Sep 2010 (1)
Aug 2010 (1)
Jul 2010 (1)
Jun 2010 (1)
May 2010 (1)
Apr 2010 (1)
Mar 2010 (6)
Feb 2010 (2)
Jan 2010 (7)
Dec 2009 (3)
Feb 2009 (4)
Jan 2009 (8)
Dec 2008 (1)
Jun 2008 (2)
May 2008 (2)
Apr 2008 (5)
Feb 2008 (3)
Jan 2008 (15)
Dec 2007 (32)
Nov 2007 (6)
Oct 2007 (8)
Sep 2007 (9)
Aug 2007 (24)
Jul 2007 (2)
Jun 2007 (1)
May 2007 (3)
Apr 2007 (4)
Mar 2007 (4)
Feb 2007 (13)
Jan 2007 (6)
Dec 2006 (3)
Nov 2006 (7)
Oct 2006 (7)
Sep 2006 (6)
Aug 2006 (4)
Jul 2006 (10)
Jun 2006 (1)
May 2006 (3)
Apr 2006 (2)
Mar 2006 (6)
Feb 2006 (6)
Jan 2006 (3)
Dec 2005 (1)
Nov 2005 (9)
Oct 2005 (8)
Sep 2005 (13)
Aug 2005 (25)
Jul 2005 (16)
Jun 2005 (17)
May 2005 (19)
Apr 2005 (20)
Mar 2005 (24)
Feb 2005 (23)
Jan 2005 (36)
Dec 2004 (40)
Nov 2004 (34)
Oct 2004 (17)
Sep 2004 (21)
Aug 2004 (59)
Jul 2004 (37)
Jun 2004 (31)
May 2004 (29)
Apr 2004 (52)
Mar 2004 (49)
Feb 2004 (49)
Jan 2004 (31)
Dec 2003 (48)
Nov 2003 (52)
Oct 2003 (29)
Sep 2003 (8)
Aug 2003 (5)
Jul 2003 (2)
Jun 2003 (2)
May 2003 (5)
Apr 2003 (2)
Mar 2003 (2)
Feb 2003 (3)
Jan 2003 (29)



 

Portfolio Update - August 2007 (Up 0.40%)

Contributed by mm | September 8, 2007 3:58 AM PST

ANALYSIS AND COMMENTATRY

Although market ended within 1% of where it started off the month, market volatility in August is comparable to that of the chaotic July. At one point, the market was 10% lower than its peak in mid-July, certifying this as an official "market correction."

Being a participant of this journey really requires a strong heart. At one point in August, I lamented that my stock holdings at low-teens P/E ratios were declining while the obvious bubble of trading stocks at more than 50 times forward looking earnings were rewarded financially in China. S far, I'm glad that at least six weeks into this drama, I'm still holding onto myself without selling at low.

My portfolio gained 0.40% in this month, slightly lagging the benchmark performance of 0.57% appreciation. My individual domestic stock picks continue to beat its benchmark of VTI by almost one percentage point, but the performance of my mutual fund holdings is quite disappointing -- both my domestic equity funds and foreign equity funds failed to match their respective benchmark. That's probably a one-month event -- prior to August, all my funds are beating benchmarks for three straight months.

Apart from adding $2,500 to domestic equity and foreign equity respectively thru regular fund purchase, I opened a new position of American Express Co (AXP) this month. While also a financial stock, American Express should weather the storm and come out even stronger as a premium card issuer, and its mid-teen P/E ratio and high growth (relatively to other financial behemoths) make it an attractive buy at this price level.

NEXT STEPS

Looking ahead, as my multiple earning streams will continue to gush cash in the coming months, I'm looking for good opportunities to dispose my currently larger-than-allocation-target cash positions. I'm in active look-out for undervalued individual stocks, and will, from time to time, add more money to my fund holdings on an dollar-cost-average basis.

portfolio-200708.jpg

More PFBlog Articles You Might Find Interesting ...


This Post Has Received 5 Comments. Share Your Opinions Too.


SingleGuyMoney Commented on September 8, 2007

Very impressive portfolio.


Father of Eight Commented on September 8, 2007

Since you own Berkshire Hathaway, is it your practice not to consider stocks Buffett has already picked for you? Or would you consider jumping into something like BNSF, which Buffett seems determined to accumulate?


Detroit Guy Commented on September 8, 2007

If you don't mind me asking, what program do you use that generates reports such as the one showed in this post? or is that from you broker?
Thanks!


MM Commented on September 12, 2007

Father of Eight - I don't have special consideration over whether to directly own some BRK holdings. I judge stocks by their own merits.

Detroit Guy - It's just an Excel spreadsheet I maintain by myself.


Fred333 Commented on September 20, 2007

I think a very key component of being on the right track towards financial freedom is to be organized. Very nice spreadsheet.



Read More ... 308 Posts In The Same Category










This page was last rebuilt at January 27, 2014 07:35 AM PST.
 

RSS FEED





PERSONAL FINANCE BLOGS I READ

Consumerism Commentary
Get Rich Slowly
My Money Blog
All Financial Matters
The Simple Dollar






.

Error 500 - Internal server error

Error 500 - Internal server error

An internal server error has occured!
Please try again later.



Copyright 2003-2014, PFBlog.com. All Rights Reserved. (Privacy Policy)