2010 was a great year for us in lot of ways .... our working partnership goes from strength to strength. Murray has come on hugely - he is progressing really well in school, his language skills are continually developing. He is learning to be more independent and he is growing up into a wonderful young man who is the pride of both his canine and human carers!
While enjoying life as a service dog and working hard with Murray - I have also had a busy year fundraising for Irish Guide Dogs and helping to increase awareness of the need and use of assistance dogs for autism. As a bit of a sideline in the quiet hours at home - I also have enjoyed investing a few dollars in the stock market with the 'profits' going to the Assistance Dog Programme!
So how did dabbling my paws in the stock market work out for us this past year - well back on January 1st, 2010 we invested our $3,000 in three shares I believed would turnaround their fortunes in 2010 and return quick profits.
We invested the $3,000 equally buying 100 shares in Ford, 312 shares in Citigroup and 35 shares in Sandisk. Thankfully after six months we were showing a healthy profit of 23% on our initial investment of $3,000 against the Dow Jones index which showed a loss of 7% at this stage.
In July we made our first strategic change to the portfolio when we sold half the holdings in all three shares and invested the proceeds in three new shares, Monsanto, Pfizer and Petrobras, again all leading names in their sectors and in no way could be considered as penny shares. By this time we now had exposure to the automobile sector, banking, IT, pharmaceutical, bio-technology and oil sectors.
So heading into our third quarter our share portfolio looked as follows: 50 shares in Ford, 156 in Citigroup, 16 in Sandisk, 12 in Monsanto, 42 in Pfizer and 51 in Petrobras and the total value of our holdings came to $3,704.
By the end of the 3rd quarter our portfolio value had risen to $3,967 or a return of 32% on our original investment of $3,000. At this time the Dow Jones was now up 4% for the same nine month period. Heading into the last quarter our only change to the portfolio was to sell our shareholding in Petrobras have netted a nice 15% for holding the shares for just one quarter. We used these proceeds to acquire 60 shares in Yahoo which was then trading at $14.05 a share.
As of today, December 31st, our portfolio of six shares are now $4,977 or a 'wicked awesome' return (as a certain young man would refer to it as) of 66% for the year against the Dow Jones which returned a very creditable return of 11% for 2010.
So what do we do now heading into the New Year? Take the money and run? No, not a bit of it, we remain positive for the US market as a whole for 2011 but as always stock selection remains the key. After the results for 2010 we are however de-risking the portfolio a bit while spicing it up by adding a further three shares, all household names. They are Cisco, the leading Internet software provider, Boston Scientific the leading medical devices supplier and ITB which is the Dow Jones Home Construction Index Fund which tracks the leading American construction companies. What they share in common is that they are well off their long term highs while all solid long term leaders in their sectors.
I am funding these three new shares by selling shares from each of the six current holdings meaning my new portfolio will look like this heading in the New Year ....
Mad Money with Clive is one guaranteed way to have an exciting year ..... our investment wish for the New Year is that the results remain positive as we all know that "past success is no guide to future success" in this game. I'm also hoping for a guest appearance on Mad Money with Cramer TV show. Last year I made it to within a few yards of Maria Bartiromo on Wall Street with Murray so this year we'd like to meet Mr Cramer!
Signing off my investment review for 2010 I'll end with a quote we read recently and appropriately it comes from that great Irish writer and wit, Oscar Wilde "a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing". This is for everyone who doesn't believe in how smart a dog can be!
So all in all it's been a great 2010 - we're looking forward to 2011 with lots of expectation and excitment. Murray certainly keeps us all on our toes (and paws) and he has lots of plans for the coming year ....
To all our friends around the world who have kept faith with us throughout 2010 and continue to follow us and encourage us with their friendship and kind comments we want to wish you all a very happy 2011!
Back in few days with our 'Highlights from 2010' from a canine, autism and human perspective! We're just resting up now after all the Christmas festivities and before the New Year celebrations begin!
2010 was a great year for us in lot of ways .... our working partnership goes from strength to strength. Murray has come on hugely - he is progressing really well in school, his language skills are continually developing. He is learning to be more independent and he is growing up into a wonderful young man who is the pride of both his canine and human carers!
While enjoying life as a service dog and working hard with Murray - I have also had a busy year fundraising for Irish Guide Dogs and helping to increase awareness of the need and use of assistance dogs for autism. As a bit of a sideline in the quiet hours at home - I also have enjoyed investing a few dollars in the stock market with the 'profits' going to the Assistance Dog Programme!
So how did dabbling my paws in the stock market work out for us this past year - well back on January 1st, 2010 we invested our $3,000 in three shares I believed would turnaround their fortunes in 2010 and return quick profits.
We invested the $3,000 equally buying 100 shares in Ford, 312 shares in Citigroup and 35 shares in Sandisk. Thankfully after six months we were showing a healthy profit of 23% on our initial investment of $3,000 against the Dow Jones index which showed a loss of 7% at this stage.
In July we made our first strategic change to the portfolio when we sold half the holdings in all three shares and invested the proceeds in three new shares, Monsanto, Pfizer and Petrobras, again all leading names in their sectors and in no way could be considered as penny shares. By this time we now had exposure to the automobile sector, banking, IT, pharmaceutical, bio-technology and oil sectors.
So heading into our third quarter our share portfolio looked as follows: 50 shares in Ford, 156 in Citigroup, 16 in Sandisk, 12 in Monsanto, 42 in Pfizer and 51 in Petrobras and the total value of our holdings came to $3,704.
By the end of the 3rd quarter our portfolio value had risen to $3,967 or a return of 32% on our original investment of $3,000. At this time the Dow Jones was now up 4% for the same nine month period. Heading into the last quarter our only change to the portfolio was to sell our shareholding in Petrobras have netted a nice 15% for holding the shares for just one quarter. We used these proceeds to acquire 60 shares in Yahoo which was then trading at $14.05 a share.
As of today, December 31st, our portfolio of six shares are now $4,977 or a 'wicked awesome' return (as a certain young man would refer to it as) of 66% for the year against the Dow Jones which returned a very creditable return of 11% for 2010.
So what do we do now heading into the New Year? Take the money and run? No, not a bit of it, we remain positive for the US market as a whole for 2011 but as always stock selection remains the key. After the results for 2010 we are however de-risking the portfolio a bit while spicing it up by adding a further three shares, all household names. They are Cisco, the leading Internet software provider, Boston Scientific the leading medical devices supplier and ITB which is the Dow Jones Home Construction Index Fund which tracks the leading American construction companies. What they share in common is that they are well off their long term highs while all solid long term leaders in their sectors.
I am funding these three new shares by selling shares from each of the six current holdings meaning my new portfolio will look like this heading in the New Year ....
Mad Money with Clive is one guaranteed way to have an exciting year ..... our investment wish for the New Year is that the results remain positive as we all know that "past success is no guide to future success" in this game. I'm also hoping for a guest appearance on Mad Money with Cramer TV show. Last year I made it to within a few yards of Maria Bartiromo on Wall Street with Murray so this year we'd like to meet Mr Cramer!
So all in all it's been a great 2010 - we're looking forward to 2011 with lots of expectation and excitment. Murray certainly keeps us all on our toes (and paws) and he has lots of plans for the coming year ....
To all our friends around the world who have kept faith with us throughout 2010 and continue to follow us and encourage us with their friendship and kind comments we want to wish you all a very happy 2011!
Back in few days with our 'Highlights from 2010' from a canine, autism and human perspective! We're just resting up now after all the Christmas festivities and before the New Year celebrations begin!
- Clive & Co