Saturday 4 January 2014

December 2013: Portfolio Update.

So here we are and thats another year complete so I need to take a final look at the portfolio and its FTSE comparator.

Nice to see the FTSE notch up a cheery 14.43% for 2014 which is seeing it once again approach the 7000 mark.
For myself an even more satisfying 30.08% for 2014.

Over 4 years thats now 113.93% v. the FTSE's 24.69%.

December brought its usual dividend flow into my portfolio with contributions from BAE, William Hill, Microsoft, Tesco, and BP.

The strength of the dollar continues to suppress my US gains (Apple, Microsoft, GE), and I also seem to have 3 depressed sectors in utilities: SSE; Centrica, Supermarkets: Tesco; Morrison's, and the recently introduced Tobacco: BAT and Imperial Tobacco.

I'm not overly concerned about any of them but must confess to getting a little bored by the lack of any momentum in supermarkets so, they are on watch for any life given the improving environment and may be removed should continuing bad news depress profits.

Plenty of strong double digit performances led by Rolls-Royce with 45.96%, Microsoft, 37.14%, and IG, 36.89%.
BAE, BP, Aviva, Vodafone, and BG Group all sprang back into life with new strategic plans, financial performances and deals.

I think I have also been slightly more active than previous years with 8 trades.
I have an additional trade in Royal Mail but have not shown or included it here.


Merchant Adventurer's Index
Forecast 1 month YTD 36 mth
Price % holding Div. yield % gain % gain % gain
R-R 1275.00p 32.73% 2.69% 10.87% 45.96% 104.65%
National Grid 788.00p 13.47% 5.35% 0.45% 12.09% 42.50%
Aviva 449.70p 10.26% 3.31% 0.13% 20.56% 33.10%
Apple ** $561.11 5.89% 1.95% 4.37% 5.39% 33.34%
BP 488.05p 5.52% 4.67% 1.11% 13.95% 7.74%
Vodafone 237.00p 4.62% 4.49% 5.57% 26.92% 25.19%
IG Group 616.00p 4.30% 3.88% 0.41% 36.89% 29.09%
William Hill 401.90p 3.55% 2.88% 0.25% 22.01% 118.22%
Imperial Tobacco 2338.00p 2.55% 5.45% 0.39% 3.49% 3.49%
BAT 3238.00p 2.39% 4.39% -5.76% -3.47% -3.47%
General Electric ** $28.03 2.14% 2.34% 4.19% 30.79% 73.56%
Microsoft ** $37.43 1.81% 2.34% 2.88% 37.14% 26.62%
Centrica 347.70p 1.69% 4.96% -1.61% 4.23% 4.86%
BAE Systems 435.00p 1.69% 4.67% -4.33% 29.12% 31.82%
BG Group 1297.50p 1.47% 1.33% 1.88% 28.15% 0.12%
SSE 1370.00p 1.47% 6.41% -3.25% -3.39% 11.84%
Morrisons 261.00p 1.28% 4.93% -7.32% -0.76% -2.47%
Tesco 334.35p 1.04% 4.39% -8.20% -0.49% -16.19%
Cash 2.14% 0.00%
100.00% 3.51%
1 Month YTD 36 mth
Virtual Portfolio gain (incl. Dividends)
- 1 month gain   2082.68 - 2139.28 2.72%
- YTD gain         1644.62 - 2139.28 30.08%
- 36 month gain 1264.20 - 2139.28 69.22%
- 48 month gain 1000.00 - 2139.28 113.93%
FTSE gain (excl. Dividends)
- 1 month gain   6650.57 - 6749.09 1.48%
- YTD gain         5897.81 - 6749.09 14.43%
- 36 month gain 5971.01 - 6749.09 13.03%
- 48 month gain 5412.88 - 6749.09 24.69%
Transactions:
02/12/2013
Div
BAE @ 8p per share
06/12/2013
Div
William Hill @ 4.52p per share
17/12/2013
Div
Microsoft @ 14.62p per share
20/12/2013
Div
BP @ 5.8p per share
20/12/2013
Div
Tesco @ 4.63p per share
Notes: 
*     US Dividends are adjusted for exchange rate and 15% withholding tax
**   Sterling : Dollar exchange rate = £1: $1.6512 as at 31/12/13



For a little interest I've added the 3 year performance of Invesco Perpetual's High Income Fund as a comparison which, many of you will be aware, is a fund I have monitored closely although the recently announced plan to depart by its manager, Neil Woodford has rung the changes.

Click to enlarge, close to return.

I have also included a second chart showing my portfolio's performance since I started monitoring it in this fashion. 
It includes an aggregated first year performance for both my portfolio and the FTSE100, and the baseline start date is 31 December 2009, not long after the credit crunch.

Click to enlarge, close to return.


So in 4 years I have notched up annual gains of 26.42%, 11.5%, 16.68%, and the current year's 30.08%. Year on year on year this amounts to a 113.93% gain on my starting sum over 4 years.

Its not been totally smooth with lots of speed bumps along the way but I continue to have confidence that the New Year will bring new gains if I hold my discipline.
My strategy has a foundation based upon steady, sure gains over a longer term horizon, (hopefully with dividends), which seems to be working.

I may look to add a couple of sectors this coming year with House builders, and Banking finally coming back onto my radar, and I would still like a Pharmaceutical should the sector experience a wobble and present a buying opportunity.

But, the New Year brings new hope and promise of further economic recovery so may I wish you all a Happy, and Prosperous New Year!



Earlier Posts:
November 2013: Portfolio Update.
October 2013: Portfolio Update.

September 2013: Portfolio Update.
August 2013: Portfolio Update.
- July 2013: Portfolio Adjustment (for new funds).
July 2013: Portfolio Update.

20 May 2013: Portfolio milestone.
April 2013: Portfolio Update.
March 2013: Portfolio Update.
February 2013: Portfolio update.
January 2013: Portfolio Update.
December 2012: Portfolio Update (2012 Year-end).