The time has come for my monthly portfolio update. At the end of every month, I will update my portfolio and comment on any changes. I do that for accountability and also so you may glean some ideas on how I allocate my capital. You have the opportunity to learn from what I do well so you can do the same, as well as what I do poorly, so you will not have to repeat my mistakes.
Follow my real-time portfolio
here. Below is a snapshot of my stocks and ETFs portfolio as of 10/31/17:
| Ticker | Price | Shares Held | Cost Basis | Total Invested | Market Value | G/L ($) | G/L (%) | Weight |
| Total | $47.52 | 18112.44228 | $36.82 | $666,937.84 | $860,696.04 | $193,758.20 | 29.05% | 100.00% |
| IJR | $74.86 | 933 | $68.85 | $64,238.35 | $69,844.38 | $5,606.03 | 8.73% | 8.11% |
| BDX | $208.67 | 178.124549 | $87.58 | $15,600.00 | $37,169.25 | $21,569.25 | 138.26% | 4.32% |
| VWO | $44.63 | 733.28657 | $39.39 | $28,885.07 | $32,726.58 | $3,841.51 | 13.30% | 3.80% |
| AFL | $83.89 | 334.3799 | $49.64 | $16,600.00 | $28,051.13 | $11,451.13 | 68.98% | 3.26% |
| XOM | $83.35 | 314.814121 | $77.51 | $24,400.00 | $26,239.76 | $1,839.76 | 7.54% | 3.05% |
| EXC | $40.21 | 578.812 | $30.06 | $17,396.43 | $23,274.03 | $5,877.60 | 33.79% | 2.70% |
| AZO | $589.50 | 33 | $674.61 | $22,262.08 | $19,453.50 | -$2,808.58 | -12.62% | 2.26% |
| NSC | $131.42 | 132.614 | $76.16 | $10,100.00 | $17,428.13 | $7,328.13 | 72.56% | 2.02% |
| WMT | $87.31 | 198 | $66.65 | $13,196.52 | $17,287.38 | $4,090.86 | 31.00% | 2.01% |
| BRK.B | $186.94 | 92 | $122.05 | $11,228.54 | $17,198.48 | $5,969.94 | 53.17% | 2.00% |
| EMR | $64.46 | 259.715913 | $49.28 | $12,800.00 | $16,741.29 | $3,941.29 | 30.79% | 1.95% |
| VFC | $69.65 | 227 | $57.56 | $13,066.38 | $15,810.55 | $2,744.17 | 21.00% | 1.84% |
| BMTC | $43.85 | 358.567768 | $24.82 | $8,900.00 | $15,723.20 | $6,823.20 | 76.67% | 1.83% |
| SPGI | $156.47 | 90.139965 | $45.48 | $4,100.00 | $14,104.20 | $10,004.20 | 244.00% | 1.64% |
| LMT | $308.16 | 44.233058 | $96.91 | $4,286.67 | $13,630.86 | $9,344.19 | 217.98% | 1.58% |
| GILD | $74.96 | 174 | $75.87 | $13,202.24 | $13,043.04 | -$159.20 | -1.21% | 1.52% |
| UL | $56.65 | 229 | $41.80 | $9,572.56 | $12,972.85 | $3,400.29 | 35.52% | 1.51% |
| NKE | $54.99 | 223 | $51.28 | $11,435.52 | $12,262.77 | $827.25 | 7.23% | 1.42% |
| MSFT | $83.18 | 147 | $40.12 | $5,897.98 | $12,227.46 | $6,329.48 | 107.32% | 1.42% |
| MCD | $166.91 | 72 | $104.07 | $7,493.25 | $12,017.52 | $4,524.27 | 60.38% | 1.40% |
| AZN | $34.50 | 344 | $22.13 | $7,613.49 | $11,868.00 | $4,254.51 | 55.88% | 1.38% |
| INTC | $45.49 | 245 | $27.34 | $6,698.92 | $11,145.05 | $4,446.13 | 66.37% | 1.29% |
| SON | $51.79 | 209.0639 | $36.59 | $7,650.00 | $10,827.42 | $3,177.42 | 41.53% | 1.26% |
| YORW | $35.20 | 302.784 | $22.29 | $6,750.00 | $10,658.00 | $3,908.00 | 57.90% | 1.24% |
| ESLT | $148.62 | 70 | $36.86 | $2,580.05 | $10,403.40 | $7,823.35 | 303.22% | 1.21% |
| NVS | $82.58 | 101.622 | $74.79 | $7,600.00 | $8,391.94 | $791.94 | 10.42% | 0.98% |
| BUD | $122.78 | 68 | $108.73 | $7,393.41 | $8,349.04 | $955.63 | 12.93% | 0.97% |
| NVO | $49.79 | 163 | $38.92 | $6,344.74 | $8,115.77 | $1,771.03 | 27.91% | 0.94% |
| VMI | $158.90 | 50.956 | $124.62 | $6,350.00 | $8,096.91 | $1,746.91 | 27.51% | 0.94% |
| KO | $45.98 | 176 | $41.89 | $7,372.00 | $8,092.48 | $720.48 | 9.77% | 0.94% |
| PEP | $110.23 | 73.012184 | $79.91 | $5,834.51 | $8,048.13 | $2,213.62 | 37.94% | 0.94% |
| PEG | $49.20 | 150.862 | $29.50 | $4,450.00 | $7,422.41 | $2,972.41 | 66.80% | 0.86% |
| GWW | $197.70 | 37 | $169.75 | $6,280.76 | $7,314.90 | $1,034.14 | 16.47% | 0.85% |
| SNY | $47.28 | 154.379 | $40.81 | $6,300.00 | $7,299.04 | $999.04 | 15.86% | 0.85% |
| SRCL | $70.85 | 98 | $79.03 | $7,745.29 | $6,943.30 | -$801.99 | -10.35% | 0.81% |
| RL | $89.43 | 76 | $90.84 | $6,904.03 | $6,796.68 | -$107.35 | -1.55% | 0.79% |
| BCR | $327.07 | 20.685936 | $96.68 | $2,000.00 | $6,765.75 | $4,765.75 | 238.29% | 0.79% |
| DIS | $97.81 | 67 | $95.88 | $6,423.84 | $6,553.27 | $129.43 | 2.01% | 0.76% |
| BEN | $42.13 | 150 | $35.26 | $5,289.56 | $6,319.50 | $1,029.94 | 19.47% | 0.73% |
| UHS | $102.70 | 61 | $119.26 | $7,274.60 | $6,264.70 | -$1,009.90 | -13.88% | 0.73% |
| SAN | $6.74 | 925 | $6.78 | $6,273.42 | $6,234.50 | -$38.92 | -0.62% | 0.72% |
| ATGE | $36.95 | 167 | $22.09 | $3,688.64 | $6,170.65 | $2,482.01 | 67.29% | 0.72% |
| OGZPY | $4.28 | 1390.2431 | $6.09 | $8,464.47 | $5,950.24 | -$2,514.23 | -29.70% | 0.69% |
| ESRX | $61.29 | 97 | $59.56 | $5,777.57 | $5,945.13 | $167.56 | 2.90% | 0.69% |
| PG | $86.34 | 68.38 | $61.42 | $4,200.00 | $5,903.93 | $1,703.93 | 40.57% | 0.69% |
| VIG | $96.78 | 60 | $59.80 | $3,587.92 | $5,806.80 | $2,218.88 | 61.84% | 0.67% |
| CVS | $68.53 | 83 | $82.40 | $6,838.81 | $5,687.99 | -$1,150.82 | -16.83% | 0.66% |
| CTSH | $75.67 | 75 | $53.00 | $3,975.00 | $5,675.25 | $1,700.25 | 42.77% | 0.66% |
| VEA | $44.18 | 127.26327 | $30.95 | $3,938.54 | $5,622.49 | $1,683.95 | 42.76% | 0.65% |
| CSX | $50.43 | 108 | $21.04 | $2,272.36 | $5,446.44 | $3,174.08 | 139.68% | 0.63% |
| GIS | $51.92 | 103.612 | $43.43 | $4,500.00 | $5,379.54 | $879.54 | 19.55% | 0.63% |
| GPS | $25.99 | 200 | $20.99 | $4,197.60 | $5,198.00 | $1,000.40 | 23.83% | 0.60% |
| MAT | $14.12 | 358 | $27.91 | $9,990.55 | $5,054.96 | -$4,935.59 | -49.40% | 0.59% |
| FOSL | $7.88 | 633 | $18.50 | $11,710.06 | $4,988.04 | -$6,722.02 | -57.40% | 0.58% |
| SBRCY | $14.34 | 346 | $6.18 | $2,137.25 | $4,961.64 | $2,824.39 | 132.15% | 0.58% |
| AAN | $36.80 | 133 | $22.62 | $3,008.06 | $4,894.40 | $1,886.34 | 62.71% | 0.57% |
| AN | $47.40 | 101 | $46.53 | $4,700.00 | $4,787.40 | $87.40 | 1.86% | 0.56% |
| HPQ | $21.55 | 220 | $8.89 | $1,956.29 | $4,741.00 | $2,784.71 | 142.35% | 0.55% |
| LUKOY | $53.03 | 89 | $49.38 | $4,395.19 | $4,719.67 | $324.48 | 7.38% | 0.55% |
| RBCAA | $39.32 | 118 | $21.26 | $2,508.83 | $4,639.76 | $2,130.93 | 84.94% | 0.54% |
| JNJ | $139.41 | 32 | $61.42 | $1,965.54 | $4,461.12 | $2,495.58 | 126.97% | 0.52% |
| VIAB | $24.03 | 177 | $41.08 | $7,271.21 | $4,253.31 | -$3,017.90 | -41.50% | 0.49% |
| DGS | $49.32 | 83.77 | $44.07 | $3,691.36 | $4,131.54 | $440.18 | 11.92% | 0.48% |
| PII | $118.43 | 34 | $76.53 | $2,602.00 | $4,026.62 | $1,424.62 | 54.75% | 0.47% |
| K | $62.53 | 62.897 | $51.57 | $3,243.58 | $3,932.95 | $689.37 | 21.25% | 0.46% |
| CHL | $50.45 | 77.42 | $47.44 | $3,672.95 | $3,905.84 | $232.89 | 6.34% | 0.45% |
| BVN | $13.79 | 282 | $9.23 | $2,601.60 | $3,888.78 | $1,287.18 | 49.48% | 0.45% |
| FISV | $129.43 | 30 | $100.80 | $3,024.00 | $3,882.90 | $858.90 | 28.40% | 0.45% |
| FNDE | $29.42 | 129.85 | $24.59 | $3,193.03 | $3,820.19 | $627.16 | 19.64% | 0.44% |
| FOX | $25.45 | 146 | $25.60 | $3,736.97 | $3,715.70 | -$21.27 | -0.57% | 0.43% |
| RHHBY | $28.92 | 112 | $30.80 | $3,449.74 | $3,239.04 | -$210.70 | -6.11% | 0.38% |
| CAH | $61.90 | 51 | $65.77 | $3,354.36 | $3,156.90 | -$197.46 | -5.89% | 0.37% |
| CVX | $115.89 | 27 | $86.38 | $2,332.19 | $3,129.03 | $796.84 | 34.17% | 0.36% |
| TIF | $93.62 | 33 | $60.25 | $1,988.40 | $3,089.46 | $1,101.06 | 55.37% | 0.36% |
| HPE | $13.92 | 220 | $9.77 | $2,150.40 | $3,062.40 | $912.00 | 42.41% | 0.36% |
| HSIC | $78.60 | 38 | $77.84 | $2,958.00 | $2,986.80 | $28.80 | 0.97% | 0.35% |
| DISCA | $18.88 | 157 | $22.59 | $3,546.89 | $2,964.16 | -$582.73 | -16.43% | 0.34% |
| CEO | $136.70 | 21.66 | $144.63 | $3,132.74 | $2,960.92 | -$171.82 | -5.48% | 0.34% |
| BBBY | $19.90 | 144 | $34.58 | $4,978.84 | $2,865.60 | -$2,113.24 | -42.44% | 0.33% |
| SBS | $9.12 | 307 | $4.92 | $1,510.38 | $2,799.84 | $1,289.46 | 85.37% | 0.33% |
| DE | $132.88 | 21 | $74.65 | $1,567.56 | $2,790.48 | $1,222.92 | 78.01% | 0.32% |
| PPL | $37.56 | 71.543 | $23.43 | $1,676.52 | $2,687.16 | $1,010.64 | 60.28% | 0.31% |
| DHR | $92.27 | 29 | $79.24 | $2,298.10 | $2,675.83 | $377.73 | 16.44% | 0.31% |
| PAYX | $63.79 | 41.254 | $32.72 | $1,350.00 | $2,631.59 | $1,281.59 | 94.93% | 0.31% |
| IBM | $154.06 | 17 | $133.64 | $2,271.92 | $2,619.02 | $347.10 | 15.28% | 0.30% |
| OGS | $76.98 | 29.903 | $33.44 | $1,000.00 | $2,301.93 | $1,301.93 | 130.19% | 0.27% |
| LLY | $81.94 | 28 | $35.93 | $1,006.02 | $2,294.32 | $1,288.30 | 128.06% | 0.27% |
| DLTR | $91.25 | 25 | $76.92 | $1,923.08 | $2,281.25 | $358.17 | 18.62% | 0.27% |
| HCN | $66.96 | 32.6682 | $55.10 | $1,800.00 | $2,187.46 | $387.46 | 21.53% | 0.25% |
| WBA | $66.27 | 33 | $36.78 | $1,213.89 | $2,186.91 | $973.02 | 80.16% | 0.25% |
| TLK | $30.04 | 72 | $16.17 | $1,164.01 | $2,162.88 | $998.87 | 85.81% | 0.25% |
| SAM | $178.05 | 11 | $133.65 | $1,470.10 | $1,958.55 | $488.45 | 33.23% | 0.23% |
| WLK | $84.91 | 23 | $44.00 | $1,012.00 | $1,952.93 | $940.93 | 92.98% | 0.23% |
| ORLY | $210.95 | 9 | $189.26 | $1,703.36 | $1,898.55 | $195.19 | 11.46% | 0.22% |
| TGT | $59.04 | 32 | $59.00 | $1,887.92 | $1,889.28 | $1.36 | 0.07% | 0.22% |
| FSBK | $18.65 | 100 | $4.51 | $451.00 | $1,865.00 | $1,414.00 | 313.53% | 0.22% |
| SGTZY | $4.99 | 371 | $6.45 | $2,392.73 | $1,851.29 | -$541.44 | -22.63% | 0.22% |
| WFC | $56.14 | 32 | $45.86 | $1,467.50 | $1,796.48 | $328.98 | 22.42% | 0.21% |
| BP | $40.67 | 44 | $39.34 | $1,731.17 | $1,789.48 | $58.31 | 3.37% | 0.21% |
| GGG | $131.79 | 13 | $73.00 | $949.00 | $1,713.27 | $764.27 | 80.53% | 0.20% |
| OAOFY | $43.99 | 38 | $28.59 | $1,086.23 | $1,671.62 | $585.39 | 53.89% | 0.19% |
| DXC | $91.52 | 18 | $68.10 | $1,225.77 | $1,647.36 | $421.59 | 34.39% | 0.19% |
| SJI | $33.97 | 47.9324 | $23.99 | $1,150.00 | $1,628.26 | $478.26 | 41.59% | 0.19% |
| MPC | $59.74 | 26 | $18.83 | $489.68 | $1,553.24 | $1,063.56 | 217.19% | 0.18% |
| CHKP | $117.71 | 13 | $74.85 | $973.05 | $1,530.23 | $557.18 | 57.26% | 0.18% |
| AXP | $95.52 | 16 | $59.77 | $956.29 | $1,528.32 | $572.03 | 59.82% | 0.18% |
| STRA | $93.73 | 16 | $48.00 | $768.00 | $1,499.68 | $731.68 | 95.27% | 0.17% |
| POT | $19.47 | 77 | $23.11 | $1,779.18 | $1,499.19 | -$279.99 | -15.74% | 0.17% |
| TESS | $16.00 | 88.983 | $8.99 | $800.00 | $1,423.73 | $623.73 | 77.97% | 0.17% |
| CERN | $67.52 | 21 | $47.80 | $1,003.80 | $1,417.92 | $414.12 | 41.26% | 0.16% |
| TROW | $92.90 | 15 | $67.00 | $1,005.00 | $1,393.50 | $388.50 | 38.66% | 0.16% |
| RHI | $51.77 | 26 | $36.06 | $937.56 | $1,346.02 | $408.46 | 43.57% | 0.16% |
| CICHY | $17.81 | 73 | $13.64 | $995.73 | $1,300.13 | $304.40 | 30.57% | 0.15% |
| NNN | $40.18 | 31.906 | $43.88 | $1,400.00 | $1,281.98 | -$118.02 | -8.43% | 0.15% |
| UNP | $115.79 | 11.035687 | $108.74 | $1,200.00 | $1,277.82 | $77.82 | 6.49% | 0.15% |
| BF.B | $57.02 | 22 | $45.82 | $1,008.04 | $1,254.44 | $246.40 | 24.44% | 0.15% |
| KSS | $41.76 | 28 | $43.64 | $1,221.96 | $1,169.28 | -$52.68 | -4.31% | 0.14% |
| VSS | $116.63 | 10 | $87.82 | $878.20 | $1,166.30 | $288.10 | 32.81% | 0.14% |
| MDLZ | $41.43 | 27 | $17.63 | $475.90 | $1,118.61 | $642.71 | 135.05% | 0.13% |
| DPS | $85.66 | 12.965925 | $92.55 | $1,200.00 | $1,110.66 | -$89.34 | -7.44% | 0.13% |
| MYTAY | $8.67 | 124 | $13.18 | $1,633.71 | $1,075.08 | -$558.63 | -34.19% | 0.12% |
| GPC | $88.23 | 12 | $80.00 | $960.00 | $1,058.76 | $98.76 | 10.29% | 0.12% |
| MFGP | $34.93 | 30 | $29.07 | $872.05 | $1,047.90 | $175.85 | 20.17% | 0.12% |
| SCL | $79.86 | 13 | $38.46 | $499.98 | $1,038.18 | $538.20 | 107.64% | 0.12% |
| TLSYY | $13.58 | 72 | $14.78 | $1,064.26 | $977.76 | -$86.50 | -8.13% | 0.11% |
| MRK | $55.09 | 17 | $34.30 | $583.18 | $936.53 | $353.35 | 60.59% | 0.11% |
| BIIB | $311.66 | 3 | $221.90 | $665.71 | $934.98 | $269.27 | 40.45% | 0.11% |
| BCMXY | $17.83 | 52 | $16.07 | $835.50 | $927.16 | $91.66 | 10.97% | 0.11% |
| CMP | $65.60 | 14 | $69.00 | $966.00 | $918.40 | -$47.60 | -4.93% | 0.11% |
| AAPL | $169.04 | 5 | $94.64 | $473.20 | $845.20 | $372.00 | 78.61% | 0.10% |
| SB | $3.55 | 233 | $7.99 | $1,861.40 | $827.15 | -$1,034.25 | -55.56% | 0.10% |
| HFC | $36.95 | 22 | $23.50 | $517.00 | $812.90 | $295.90 | 57.23% | 0.09% |
| ARLP | $19.70 | 41 | $26.68 | $1,094.01 | $807.70 | -$286.31 | -26.17% | 0.09% |
| PNW | $87.71 | 9.015396 | $34.50 | $311.00 | $790.74 | $479.74 | 154.26% | 0.09% |
| PDLI | $2.96 | 255 | $6.05 | $1,542.59 | $754.80 | -$787.79 | -51.07% | 0.09% |
| RAVN | $33.65 | 22 | $22.60 | $497.20 | $740.30 | $243.10 | 48.89% | 0.09% |
| PB | $65.78 | 11 | $45.43 | $499.73 | $723.58 | $223.85 | 44.79% | 0.08% |
| IDCBY | $15.90 | 45 | $12.18 | $548.10 | $715.50 | $167.40 | 30.54% | 0.08% |
| T | $33.65 | 21 | $28.77 | $604.24 | $706.65 | $102.41 | 16.95% | 0.08% |
| AEO | $13.02 | 54 | $11.93 | $644.35 | $703.08 | $58.73 | 9.11% | 0.08% |
| AMGN | $175.22 | 4 | $141.00 | $564.00 | $700.88 | $136.88 | 24.27% | 0.08% |
| EFSI | $30.98 | 22 | $22.85 | $502.70 | $681.56 | $178.86 | 35.58% | 0.08% |
| CLD | $4.25 | 158 | $9.44 | $1,492.23 | $671.50 | -$820.73 | -55.00% | 0.08% |
| ICE | $66.10 | 10 | $16.67 | $166.66 | $661.00 | $494.34 | 296.62% | 0.08% |
| KHC | $77.33 | 8 | $25.41 | $203.28 | $618.64 | $415.36 | 204.33% | 0.07% |
| WTR | $35.48 | 17.259455 | $28.97 | $500.00 | $612.37 | $112.37 | 22.47% | 0.07% |
| TSCO | $60.26 | 10 | $49.99 | $499.90 | $602.60 | $102.70 | 20.54% | 0.07% |
| IMBBY | $41.34 | 14 | $62.93 | $880.98 | $578.76 | -$302.22 | -34.30% | 0.07% |
| CCFN | $48.00 | 12 | $39.50 | $474.00 | $576.00 | $102.00 | 21.52% | 0.07% |
| WSM | $51.60 | 11 | $44.00 | $484.00 | $567.60 | $83.60 | 17.27% | 0.07% |
| BACHY | $12.46 | 45 | $11.00 | $495.00 | $560.70 | $65.70 | 13.27% | 0.07% |
| TLKGY | $15.17 | 36 | $19.78 | $711.92 | $546.12 | -$165.80 | -23.29% | 0.06% |
| NTTYY | $48.50 | 11 | $22.30 | $245.34 | $533.50 | $288.16 | 117.45% | 0.06% |
| RLI | $59.09 | 9 | $57.00 | $513.00 | $531.81 | $18.81 | 3.67% | 0.06% |
| HSY | $106.18 | 5 | $90.47 | $452.35 | $530.90 | $78.55 | 17.36% | 0.06% |
| LB | $43.04 | 12 | $42.00 | $504.00 | $516.48 | $12.48 | 2.48% | 0.06% |
| LANC | $125.22 | 4 | $117.75 | $471.00 | $500.88 | $29.88 | 6.34% | 0.06% |
| HRL | $31.16 | 16 | $31.00 | $496.00 | $498.56 | $2.56 | 0.52% | 0.06% |
| TJX | $69.80 | 7 | $69.00 | $483.00 | $488.60 | $5.60 | 1.16% | 0.06% |
| FFIV | $121.27 | 4 | $116.00 | $464.00 | $485.08 | $21.08 | 4.54% | 0.06% |
| OMC | $67.19 | 7 | $70.00 | $490.00 | $470.33 | -$19.67 | -4.01% | 0.05% |
| MPLX | $35.26 | 13 | $8.59 | $111.66 | $458.38 | $346.72 | 310.51% | 0.05% |
| BCS | $9.84 | 46 | $14.02 | $644.92 | $452.64 | -$192.28 | -29.81% | 0.05% |
| MRO | $14.22 | 27 | $29.92 | $807.79 | $383.94 | -$423.85 | -52.47% | 0.04% |
| NAT | $4.44 | 82 | $19.64 | $1,610.79 | $364.08 | -$1,246.71 | -77.40% | 0.04% |
| IEMG | $55.78 | 6.25 | $49.67 | $310.46 | $348.63 | $38.17 | 12.29% | 0.04% |
| HNNMY | $4.96 | 61 | $6.53 | $398.52 | $302.56 | -$95.96 | -24.08% | 0.04% |
| DYN | $12.45 | 24 | $29.77 | $714.50 | $298.80 | -$415.70 | -58.18% | 0.03% |
| TRGP | $41.50 | 7 | $27.35 | $191.42 | $290.50 | $99.08 | 51.76% | 0.03% |
| ESV | $5.39 | 52 | $9.43 | $490.42 | $280.28 | -$210.14 | -42.85% | 0.03% |
| CPLP | $3.42 | 75 | $8.53 | $639.48 | $256.50 | -$382.98 | -59.89% | 0.03% |
| LYG | $3.69 | 50 | $3.24 | $162.00 | $184.50 | $22.50 | 13.89% | 0.02% |
| GSH | $29.02 | 4.59 | $20.75 | $95.24 | $133.20 | $37.96 | 39.86% | 0.02% |
| MVC | $10.70 | 11 | $8.84 | $97.28 | $117.70 | $20.42 | 20.99% | 0.01% |
| VTI | $132.33 | 0.77589 | | | $102.67 | $102.67 | #DIV/0! | 0.01% |
| TSCDY | $7.29 | 11 | $14.33 | $157.63 | $80.19 | -$77.44 | -49.13% | 0.01% |
| AMC | $13.90 | 5 | $18.00 | $90.00 | $69.50 | -$20.50 | -22.78% | 0.01% |
| PTR | $65.50 | 0.97 | $99.24 | $96.26 | $63.54 | -$32.73 | -34.00% | 0.01% |
| BIVV | $56.50 | 1 | $37.77 | $37.77 | $56.50 | $18.73 | 49.57% | 0.01% |
| BK | $51.45 | 1 | $25.01 | $25.01 | $51.45 | $26.44 | 105.72% | 0.01% |
| QCCO | $0.44 | 113 | $3.63 | $410.25 | $49.72 | -$360.53 | -87.88% | 0.01% |
| LGCY | $1.64 | 28 | $15.62 | $437.22 | $45.92 | -$391.30 | -89.50% | 0.01% |
| EVEP | $0.61 | 32 | $21.84 | $698.97 | $19.52 | -$679.45 | -97.21% | 0.00% |
| BPI | $9.68 | 1 | $17.85 | $17.85 | $9.68 | -$8.17 | -45.77% | 0.00% |
| BKS | $7.00 | 1 | $8.70 | $8.70 | $7.00 | -$1.70 | -19.54% | 0.00% |
| LQD | $121.14 | 0.04132 | | | $5.01 | $5.01 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| ALN | $0.33 | 15 | $2.11 | $31.65 | $4.95 | -$26.70 | -84.36% | 0.00% |
| VGIT | $64.44 | 0.06918 | | | $4.46 | $4.46 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| TIP | $113.80 | 0.0315 | | | $3.58 | $3.58 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| SJNK | $27.92 | 0.08178 | | | $2.28 | $2.28 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| VNQ | $82.20 | 0.01435 | | | $1.18 | $1.18 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| VCSH | $80.04 | 0.00396 | | | $0.32 | $0.32 | #DIV/0! | 0.00% |
| ZAHLY | $0.01 | 23 | $6.64 | $152.72 | $0.23 | -$152.49 | -99.85% | 0.00% |
| DPK | $13.04 | -100 | $16.15 | -$1,614.79 | -$1,304.00 | $310.79 | 19.25% | -0.15% |
| FAZ | $13.45 | -100 | $34.42 | -$3,441.54 | -$1,345.00 | $2,096.54 | 60.92% | -0.16% |
| EDZ | $10.12 | -200 | $10.40 | -$2,080.00 | -$2,024.00 | $56.00 | 2.69% | -0.24% |
| ERY | $11.17 | -300 | $13.49 | -$4,047.39 | -$3,351.00 | $696.39 | 17.21% | -0.39% |
| TZA | $13.31 | -550 | $20.03 | -$11,015.32 | -$7,320.50 | $3,694.82 | 33.54% | -0.85% |
My transactions in October are listed as follows:
| Stock | Action | Cost | Price per share | % of Portfolio | Current price | P/L (%) |
| ESRX | Add | $4,275.20 | $57.77 | 0.40% | $61.29 | 6.09% |
| CVS | Add | $2,061.50 | $73.63 | 0.19% | $68.53 | -6.92% |
| CAH | Add | $1,707.28 | $63.23 | 0.16% | $61.90 | -2.11% |
| UHS | Add | $1,498.60 | $107.04 | 0.14% | $102.70 | -4.06% |
| SRCL | Add | $1,057.00 | $70.47 | 0.10% | $70.85 | 0.54% |
| IJR | Add | $1,046.85 | $74.78 | 0.10% | $74.86 | 0.11% |
| NKE | Add | $1,025.00 | $51.25 | 0.10% | $54.99 | 7.30% |
| DISCA | Add | $993.22 | $19.47 | 0.09% | $18.88 | -3.05% |
| GIS | Add | $700.00 | $51.49 | 0.07% | $51.92 | 0.84% |
| K | Add | $650.00 | $62.39 | 0.06% | $62.53 | 0.22% |
| OMC | New Buy | $490.00 | $70.00 | 0.05% | $67.19 | -4.01% |
| FFIV | New Buy | $464.00 | $116.00 | 0.04% | $121.27 | 4.54% |
| BBBY | Add | $456.96 | $21.76 | 0.04% | $19.90 | -8.55% |
| BDX | Add | $328.09 | $202.14 | 0.03% | $208.67 | 3.23% |
| XOM | Add | $300.00 | $82.77 | 0.03% | $83.35 | 0.70% |
| AFL | Add | $300.00 | $81.69 | 0.03% | $83.89 | 2.69% |
| YORW | Add | $247.40 | $35.67 | 0.02% | $35.20 | -1.33% |
| VMI | Add | $218.59 | $159.55 | 0.02% | $158.90 | -0.41% |
| DPS | Add | $204.94 | $90.55 | 0.02% | $85.66 | -5.40% |
| UNP | Add | $204.47 | $113.05 | 0.02% | $115.79 | 2.42% |
| BMTC | Add | $200.00 | $44.65 | 0.02% | $43.85 | -1.79% |
| EMR | Add | $200.00 | $63.88 | 0.02% | $64.46 | 0.91% |
| NVS | Add | $200.00 | $86.39 | 0.02% | $82.58 | -4.41% |
| SNY | Add | $200.00 | $49.91 | 0.02% | $47.28 | -5.27% |
| SON | Add | $200.00 | $50.34 | 0.02% | $51.79 | 2.88% |
| PPL | Add | $27.97 | $37.95 | 0.00% | $37.56 | -1.03% |
| PEP | Add | $22.39 | $111.74 | 0.00% | $110.23 | -1.35% |
| SJI | Add | $12.96 | $35.23 | 0.00% | $33.97 | -3.57% |
| VTI | Add | $5.05 | $130.32 | 0.00% | $132.33 | 1.54% |
| VEA | Add | $3.20 | $43.42 | 0.00% | $44.18 | 1.75% |
| VWO | Add | $0.61 | $44.43 | 0.00% | $44.63 | 0.45% |
| LQD | Add | $0.31 | $120.16 | 0.00% | $121.14 | 0.82% |
| VGIT | Add | $0.29 | $65.17 | 0.00% | $64.44 | -1.12% |
| TIP | Add | $0.23 | $111.11 | 0.00% | $113.80 | 2.42% |
| SJNK | Add | $0.18 | $27.40 | 0.00% | $27.92 | 1.91% |
| VNQ | Add | $0.11 | $80.29 | 0.00% | $82.20 | 2.38% |
| ESV | Reduce | -$4.58 | $5.73 | 0.00% | $5.39 | -5.85% |
| EDZ | Sold Short | -$2,080.00 | $10.40 | -0.19% | $10.12 | -2.69% |
| Bought | $19,302.40 | | 1.80% | | $36.10 |
| Sold | -$2,084.58 | | -0.19% | | $56.27 |
| Net | $17,217.82 | | 1.60% | | $92.37 |
Beginning this month, I am also including the current price (at the end of the month) and percentage profit/loss from the transaction price. This is to promote greater transparency and also to serve as a means to assess whether I traded at a good price or not.
Purchases
Healthcare stocks were on sale this month, so I added to positions in ESRX, CVS, CAH, UHS near 52-week low. I also added to SRCL, NKE, DISCA, GIS, K, and BBBY near 52-week low. I initiated new positions in OMC and FFIV near 52-week low. The rest are part of my monthly investment plans and dividend reinvestment.
My timing has been hit or miss. ESRX and NKE were well-timed, as they are now up 6 and 7 percent from my purchase price. On the other hand, I bought CVS, UHS, OMC, and BBBY a bit too soon, as these are now down at least 4 percent from from my purchase price. Overall, I did make $36.10 net profit from all the purchases made this month, which is not bad.
Sales
I reduced my position in ESV as part of cash-in-lieu of fractional shares due to acquisition of my old position in ATW. ATW was a poor investment which turned out to be a value trap. I am now down 43% in this position.
I sold short some EDZ, the 3x EM bear ETF. EM stocks remain undervalued and I expect the rally to continue.
Here is how my assets, liabilities, and net worth have changed over the past month:
| Beginning balance
on 10/1/2017 | + Cash inflow
/(outflow) | + $ P/L | = Ending Balance
on 10/31/2017 | % P/L | % Equity |
| ASSETS | | | | | | |
| Current assets | | | | | | |
| Cash | 30,174.67 | (8,212.13) | 0.00 | 21,962.54 | 0.00% | 2.00% |
| Bonds | 20,035.65 | (883.28) | 374.45 | 19,526.82 | 1.87% | 1.78% |
| Stocks | 767,338.55 | 18,637.48 | 9,052.15 | 795,028.18 | 1.18% | 72.49% |
| Total current assets | 817,548.87 | 9,542.07 | 9,426.60 | 836,517.54 | 1.15% | 76.27% |
| Tax-deferred retirement account | 184,130.70 | 1,515.23 | 2,824.70 | 188,470.63 | 1.53% | 17.18% |
| Roth IRA | 74,344.84 | | 569.14 | 74,913.98 | 0.77% | 6.83% |
| Gold | 13,774.40 | | (90.68) | 13,683.72 | -0.66% | 1.25% |
| Other non-current assets | 500.00 | (500.00) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Total assets | 1,090,298.81 | 10,557.30 | 12,729.76 | 1,113,585.87 | 1.17% | 101.54% |
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | |
| Current liabilities | 10,658.71 | (127.00) | 0.00 | 10,531.71 | | 0.96% |
| Long-term liabilities | | | | | | |
| Student loan | 6,332.10 | (22.78) | 0.00 | 6,309.32 | | 0.58% |
| Other non-current liabilities | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | | 0.00% |
| Total liabilities | 16,990.81 | (149.78) | 0.00 | 16,841.03 | | 1.54% |
| Equity (net worth) | 1,073,308.00 | 10,707.08 | 12,729.76 | 1,096,744.84 | 1.19% | 100.00% |
During this month, my net worth increased 2.18% to $1,096,744.84, due to a combination of P/L (1.19%) and net cash inflow (0.99%).
Below is a chart of my net worth since I started tracking on a monthly basis:
My monthly performance against the S & P 500 is shown below:
| 2017 | My Portfolio Return | S & P 500 TR | |
| Jan | 2.39% | 1.90% | Good |
| Feb | 2.08% | 3.97% | Bad |
| Mar | 0.97% | 0.12% | Good |
| Apr | 2.22% | 1.03% | Good |
| May | 0.01% | 1.41% | Bad |
| Jun | 0.59% | 0.62% | Bad |
| Jul | 1.52% | 2.06% | Bad |
| Aug | 0.01% | 0.31% | Bad |
| Sep | 2.92% | 2.06% | Good |
| Oct | 1.19% | 2.33% | Bad |
| YTD | 14.75% | 16.92% | Bad |
I trailed the index by more than 1 percentage point this month, as high-flyer tech stocks like AMZN, FB, GOOGL, AAPL rallied hard and my portfolio was underweight in these stocks. I am not a believer in these new-era tech stocks and think that they are significantly overvalued. Apparently, the market disagrees with me, for now. O well. I rather sleep well than play the greater fool game. Given that YTD I am trailing the index by more than two percentage points, it is unlikely I will catch up with the index this year, unless the aforesaid high flyers come crashing down (which is unlikely).
Nice portfolio. Have a question, when you add to your CVS or CAH, do you consider that AMZN planning to get into medical business or would you drop them as noise and keep investing. I guess I would like to know more about your stock selection process to invest.
ReplyDeleteI see some growth stock and some div stock, usual suspects, but don't see other usuals like O, T etc in size. So wondering what your selection process is and also how you handle market news (as changing business environment or as noise). Thanks
Richard,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I did not give much consideration to AMZN getting into the medical business. It is mostly noise to me. I typically just buy high quality stocks (consistently growing earnings and book value, good margins and ROE, relatively low debt, low payout ratio) near 52-week low.
I'm not a big fan of high-yielders like O, T etc in the REIT, telecom, and utility sectors anymore. I used to favor high yields, but have learned that they are often value traps and the high yield is often illusionary and more than offset by low growth.
Also, dividends are taxed at 15% rate and capital gains can be deferred indefinitely, so I'd rather invest in companies that buy back shares and reinvest for growth instead of paying out dividend. The very fact of paying a high dividend says that the company has no better use for the cash. That said, high quality stocks that do not pay dividends are rare. Dividend growth stocks yielding less than 1.5% are great alternatives.
I take market news that drive down stock prices as opportunities for buying on the cheap, as long as the bad news is not fraud related. Usually, if something makes the news, especially the front page of a non-financial national newspaper, there is blood on the street. And that is the best time to buy. As for good news that drive up stock prices, typically if a stock gaps up on positive news, it is already too late to buy, as the potential downside would outweigh any additional upside potential.