Portfolio Update May 2021

 

Another quarter has gone by, so it’s time for our usual DIY Portfolio report. You can expect our next update in about 12 weeks.

You also can have a look at previous portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates
Portfolio Update August 2018
Portfolio Update November 2018
Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

Portfolio Update November 2019

Portfolio Update February 2020

Portfolio Update May 2020

Portfolio Update August 2020

Portfolio Update November 2020

Portfolio Update February 2021

Despite the ever going pandemic and some palpable tensions, both on the international and domestic fronts, looks like we can all breathe a little easier now that Mr. Uncertainty is out of the Office.

By definition, stock markets will remain uncertain, and we never know which direction they will take. But we at least can have some good reasons to be optimistic. We can’t predict where stock markets will go but after those too long dark times, we finally can hope mankind can get going again. It may still remain hard for a while, but we can have a sense we can all work together and at least try to make things better.

In recent months, like the markets, our DIY Portfolio has done quite well.

Almost nothing special to report as things are cruising along and we only did one transaction in that quarter.  

Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be.  

On Cruise Control

For a while now, our DIY Portfolio remains somewhat on cruise control. We always like to look for robust companies and especially when markets are a bull run like the actual one.

With experience, we realized that all in all, details may not always be that important as long as you have a solid broad plan.

Portfolio Update February 2021

Another 3 months have gone by, so it’s time to report on our DIY Portfolio progress. As usual, expect our next update in about 12 weeks.

You can have a look at previous portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates
Portfolio Update August 2018
Portfolio Update November 2018
Portfolio Update February 2019
Portfolio Update May 2019
Portfolio Update August 2019
Portfolio Update November 2019
Portfolio Update February 2020
Portfolio Update May 2020
Portfolio Update August 2020
Portfolio Update November 2020
 
On the human scope of things, those last few months have been rocky to say the least. Yet we all were lucky because events could have been even harsher, disasters were and are still just at our corner. Let’s hope for all our sake that things will get better now that the wolf is out of the sheepfold.
 
The air already feels fresher as common sense, cooperation and decency are getting back to the forefronts. Let’s hope most conservative Americans can wake up and really see the benefits of being kind to each other and sticking together.
 
Investing-wise, it has been smooth sailing, at least for us. We’ll briefly report on it next. Our main topic today will be to talk about our adventures withdrawing from our big banks RESPs. We’ll conclude with another quick review of our latest DIY Portfolio transactions.  
 
Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be. 
 
Still Going Strong
 
As always, we manage to stay patient thru all this. Markets and our morale were up and down (or maybe down and up) all last year. Our DIY Portfolio finally did quite well in 2020 with an overall return just under 15%, so our long-term average climbed a little to about 13%.

Portfolio Update November 2020

 

Again, it’s DIY Portfolio report time!  As usual, you can expect our next update in about 12 weeks.

You can have a look at previous portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

Portfolio Update November 2019

Portfolio Update February 2020

Portfolio Update May 2020

Portfolio Update August2020

Note that the last words of this report have been written on November 1^st, before the US presidential election.

Despite all unprecedented events, our DIY Portfolio is still in the positive this year, which is surprising. Year-to-date capital return is around zero and are modest return essentially comes from dividends. Not that bad waiting for better days.

It would be doing even better if it were not for the last week of October where it abruptly went down by a little more than 4%.  We can sense markets are getting nervous about the upcoming US election. Contested results would probably cause the most turbulence. That’s why today, we’ll try to reason not giving into fear, essential for any successful investor.

After that, we’ll discuss our own portfolio management for the upcoming months and years. For now, let’s just say things are not getting simpler. We’ll conclude with our usual roundup of portfolio transactions. You’ll see we have been doing a little bit more lately.

Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be. 

Resist Giving into Fear

With all that is happening in the world, you may be tempted to give into your fear and cash in all your investments. We have to confess that even us, as committed investors, are sometimes afraid and have our moments of doubt.

We still believe you have to resist and remain patient as efficient investing always has to be approached with a long-term perspective.

Portfolio Update August 2020

Time flies as we again report on our DIY Portfolio progress.  In a similar fashion, you can expect our next update in about 12 weeks.

You can have a look at previous portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

Portfolio Update November 2019

Portfolio Update February 2020

Portfolio Update May 2020

We are kind of glad to take a break from this unusually hot and humid summer. Luckily, our air-conditioned home can keep us cool. It may not be the case for everyone, and some would even prefer to get back to their more comfortable office. This unexpected crisis really forced many of us to experience the pros and cons of working from home.

Lots of companies have to reform their entire business model in these changing times. Some still thrive and even found unforeseen ways to reduce their costs. Others, not so much. Maintaining some level of sales or surviving till things get back to the new normal may be the key for most.

Despite all uncertainties, a lot of positives may be coming out of this year’s turmoil. For one thing, we were kind of obliged to adopt environment friendly solutions like telecommuting. A sense of solidarity also greatly developed in several communities. Even more important for humanity’s sake, you know who will probably get kicked out.

The next big question for many worried investors is how will the markets react to all of this?

Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be.  

Still Going Strong

Our answer is still somewhat the same: we don’t really know but don’t care that much.

What is important is that we remain confident our DIY Portfolio will fare well in the long haul, no matter all these short-term interrogations.

Portfolio Update May 2020

Another quarter has gone by and it’s already time for a brand new DIY Portfolio report.  For quite a while now, we’ve been doing these about every 12 weeks.

You can access earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

Portfolio Update November 2019

Portfolio Update February 2020

We tried to avoid as much as possible talking about the main thing in all our lives right now. We hear or read too much about it every day. Despite our strong intentions, you’ll see that it won’t be possible to ignore it. At this point, let’s just say that luckily, all our family is doing ok, and we hope yours can also remain safe and well.

So today, after sone comments about the current state of this unparalleled situation, we’ll talk about how our DIY Portfolio fared in these trying circumstances and how we’ve managed it so far during that wild ride. Surprisingly, our portfolio is only down about 3% year to date but the worst of it may still be coming.

You’ll see that despite being well prepared, we probably could have done better buying wise. We’ll also report on our new and recent experience with bonds.

Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be. 

An Unprecedented Test to Our Resolve

So far, the last few months have been a great test to our resolve. This is a tragic crisis and despite too many losses, Humanity’s resolve is still holding on so far. We are seeing numerous real-life examples of people that have the courage to fight not only for themselves but more importantly, for others. Let’s remain strong and continue combating because we may not see the end of it for another year or more.

Portfolio Update February 2020

Here is our latest DIY Portfolio report.  

Another one may come your way in about 12 weeks.

You can access earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

Portfolio Update November 2019

This report will probably be quite short because there’s not much to report. Our steady-eddy DIY Portfolio continues to do well. We are preparing for some money coming out and then, even more coming back into our stock portfolio.

As always, we’ll try to remain in a position for some buying if (or when we should rather say) markets happen to go south.

Many perhaps consider our recipe dull and borderline simplistic. Yet you can’t deny its efficiency, but the real secret may just be to have the nerves to stick to it no matter the circumstances.

Portfolio Update November 2019

For a little over 4 years now, we have been reporting our DIY Portfolio progress every 12 weeks or so. And despite the fact the entire process was quite fulfilling by keeping us accountable and fueling our reflection, enjoy these reports while they last because they might stop coming sooner than you might expect. In fact, we have been thinking a lot lately about our blogging career and are at least considering an extended break.

So, if you can’t live without these reports or any other part of our blog, show us some love! 

Because the cold hard facts are that we simply may not have the will to continue on our own.

Let’s proceed for now. Hopefully not one last time…

You can access earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Portfolio Update August 2019

In the last few months, many signs have been pointing in the direction of a recession. The blow-in-our-faces economical alarms seem to be ticking louder and more often. We can be worried that some of our leaders (I can at least think of one in particular) won’t be able to effectively handle potentially fast approaching crisis. Could the next major recession be also environmentally driven? In many ways, this could be remarkably painful.

We still have a strong belief in the long-term perspective of stocks and won’t bother too much about short-term gyrations. We can only focus on putting measures in place to profit from amazing opportunities colossal market noise may provide.

Portfolio Update August 2019

Despite being on overly relax mode for a while, we are still glad to bring you our latest DIY Portfolio developments. As it has been the case for the last few years, you can expert our next update in about 12 weeks, in early November 2019.

You can also access our earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

Portfolio Update May 2019

Granting things have been somewhat quiet on the markets since our last report, we’ve still experienced the usual ups and downs. In fact, it was more down followed by up this time around, as after a rough patch around May, most stocks resumed their climb up on a slightly slower yet steady pace.

As we eluded to on our last report, we are in a cleanup mode and high market values were a good fit, at least sell wise. Buying replacements was more difficult to accomplish as interesting opportunities rarely materialized. As some of you may have predicted, we adopted a decisive yet patient approach in that context. To sum it up in a few words: decisive to sell and patient to buy.

Portfolio Update May 2019

Time to report our DIY Portfolio progress has come again. Unsurprisingly, you can expect our next update in about 12 weeks, in August 2019.

You can also access our earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

Portfolio Update February 2019

After a tough patch in late 2018, markets are still growing strong and have been on an impressive roll for about the last six months. Many investors currently rejoice. We are also glad about our significant gains. But as usual, we remain cautious and expect the unexpected as far as what the future of stock markets holds for us.

Portfolio Update February 2019

Time flies as we are already due for another DIY Portfolio update. As usual, you can expect our subsequent update in about 12 weeks, in May 2019.

You can also access our earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Portfolio Update November 2018

There sure was a lot of action on the markets since our last update. We even got a scary wild ride around the end of last year. The US government shutdown and all political uncertainty surrounding it sure don’t help. Are we now getting accustomed to it? One thing for sure, it’s probably not the end of it and more turbulence can be expected. But don’t worry, that’s life on the markets and what we must endure to benefit from greater long-term returns. A small price to pay if you think about it.

All that volatility sure provided plenty of attractive opportunities. Today, we’ll elaborate about some of that buying including that we finally pulled the trigger on Colgate-Palmolive (CL).

We’ll also talk about how in the last few weeks, we got a little deeper in our retirement planning. We found out everything retirement related sure can get complicated.

Once more, I’ll remind you that I am not an investment or tax professional of any kind. The intent of this blog is not to give specific investing advice. Before investing yourself, we suggest you do all necessary research and consult a licensed financial professional if need be. 

Portfolio Update November 2018

With Halloween just behind us, once more, it’s time for another DIY Portfolio update after that scary season. As now customary, you can expect our next update in about 12 weeks, in February 2019.

You can also access our earlier portfolio updates here:

All Portfolio Updates

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Portfolio Update August 2018

Speaking of scary, what happened especially in the last month can be preoccupying. We had several days where we had a taste of what a major market correction may involve. With markets that fell more than 10% from their high, we are now by definition, in correction territory. Can this be the long announced big market downfall? We can certainly feel that panic could easily settle in.

The increasingly polarized positions and resulting frictions between our powerful and sometimes ill-tempered neighbours are also concerning. Particularly when their colorful leader continually fuels them.

Even though we don’t approve, he would still probably appreciate it because we are talking about him again. His eventual departure or exit also bring a lot of uncertainty to the table. You can bet it won’t be a smooth process but rather will involve a loud bang like his presidency. At times, we think of selling everything to secure our holdings before suffering those potentially disastrous consequences. Then again, we would miss out on all our profits meanwhile. Turbulent periods like recent ones will always occur and we are far from being advocate of doomsday or black swan scenarios.

So today, after looking at why Canadian stocks have been noticeably lingering as of late, we will talk about how we try to keep a long-term investing focus. We will conclude by sharing some of our latest investment reflections.

Portfolio Update August 2018

After a hot streak on the markets followed by a torrid start to the summer weather-wise, we are glad to present you our latest DIY Portfolio update. As usual, you can expect our next update in about 12 weeks, in November 2018.

You can also access our earlier portfolio updates here:

Portfolio Update August 2015

Portfolio Update November 2015

Portfolio Update February 2016

Portfolio Update May 2016

Portfolio Update August 2016

Portfolio Update November 2016

Portfolio Update February 2017

Portfolio Update May 2017

Portfolio Update August 2017

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

Portfolio Update May 2018

Last time, we talked about many possible opportunities looming. Well, some of them materialized but kind of quickly went away after the markets significantly surged in June. In those circumstances, the end result is often that you will grab some but miss others. We’ll elaborate on a particular one we failed to detect in advance.

Portfolio Update May 2018

With this year’s late blooming spring first warm sunny days comes another update of our DIY Portfolio. As usual, you can expect our following update in about 12 weeks, in August 2018.

You can also access our previous portfolio updates here:

Portfolio Update August 2015

Portfolio Update November 2015

Portfolio Update February 2016

Portfolio Update May 2016

Portfolio Update August 2016

Portfolio Update November 2016

Portfolio Update February 2017

Portfolio Update May 2017

Portfolio Update August 2017

Portfolio Update November 2017

Portfolio Update February 2018

After several quarters of what we have called Trump’s rally, markets finally noticeably stumbled. It may be in part due to somewhat artificial and what can look like improvised measures. Markets sure don’t like trade wars or even talks about them. They also worry when you are always picking a fight, especially with the likes of Russia and Iran. Will it all transform into Trump’s bubble? No one can tell.

To be fair, stock markets cannot go up forever. It’s in their nature and healthy for them to take a pause or even meaningfully correct once in a while as it wouldn’t be sustainable for them to only go up for long periods.   

You know we have been expecting a market decline as we have been talking about it for some time. It’s normal and the long-term trend should still continue on its usual way up. In the end, markets going bad is good news. After all that patient waiting, we will, at last, be buying some more stocks as very interesting deals are coming!

In fact, at this point, we have been a little more active than usual and started doing some buying…after some selling.

Portfolio Update February 2018

Today, we are glad to provide you the latest update of our DIY Portfolio. As usual, our next update can be expected in about 12 weeks, in May 2018.

Meanwhile, you can have a look at previous portfolio updates here:

Portfolio Update August 2015

Portfolio Update November 2015

Portfolio Update February 2016

Portfolio Update May 2016

Portfolio Update August 2016

Portfolio Update November 2016

Portfolio Update February 2017

Portfolio Update May 2017

Portfolio Update August 2017

Portfolio Update November 2017

Somewhat surprisingly, the global markets context has not changed much in the last few months. Again, we are one trigger-happy finger away from disaster. So far, markets don’t seem to mind at all. We only saw some blemishes in the last days of January, perhaps more related to probable interest rate hikes. Are early February steep declines a hint of things to come?