In 2021-2022, from peak to trough I lost 60% of my portfolio…and not through doing “dumb” things like using margin, but because so many stocks dropped by 60%+. I know people who lost 80% and even 90% in the same down-turn, and I don’t doubt that there are some people in the world who due to leverage or some other underestimated risk, lost 100%. I share all this to say, please be careful out there with your life’s savings…try to understand what risks you’re taking. I would start by asking yourself: “How much volatility is acceptable?”
However, I’m realizing…When I first started posting monthly portfolio reviews, I got a lot of feedback and advice, and it was well meaning and maybe wise, but I still had to make my own mistakes and learn this craft myself. And I’m still learning, and I’m still getting feedback, and for the most part I’m still learning things the hard way. If there’s one thing I’ve done right, it’s not copying anybody. And doing these reviews has helped a ton.
In September I thought I would try something. Trading Amazon (trimming and adding opportunistically) has gone really well, so I thought I’d try the same with MSFT and GOOG, which both happened to be down earlier in the month.
I got rid of the index fund. I think trading AMZN and MSFT and GOOG is just more my style.
I cut Axon and Peloton and MercadoLibre to remove the clutter. I’d be willing to get back in at some point if they drop, maybe.
I added a little to TMDX and NU, which were down. And I added back a tiny ZS position since it was down so much.
I added new try-out positions in Root and in Castle Bio.
But Robinhood and Reddit are my biggest new positions, because I see a lot more upside than downside. I haven’t really discussed them on the board much, but maybe I will in the future.
Apology
As I said, my monthly reviews helped me figure out stock-picking over the years, but now I find I don’t have the enthusiasm to do them anymore. I’m not quitting yet, but I’m considering it. The September summary above is not worthy of this board. Look to other posters, or my older posts, as a better example. But mostly, write up your own thoughts on the companies you own, and figure all this out yourself. That’s what has worked for me, anyway.
Happy October, everybody!
Bear
“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.” - Attributed to Albert Einstein
Previous Month Summaries
Dec 2016 (contains links to all 2016 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio at the end of 2016 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2017 (contains links to all 2017 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through Dec 2017 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2018 (contains links to all 2018 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through Dec 2018 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2019 (contains links to all 2019 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through Dec 2019 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2020 (contains links to all 2020 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through Dec 2020 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2021 (contains links to all 2021 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through 12/2021 - Saul’s Investing Discussions - Motley Fool Community
Dec 2022 (contains links to all 2022 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through 12/2022
Dec 2023 (contains links to all 2023 monthly posts): Bear's Portfolio through 12/2023
Jan 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 01/2024
Feb 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 02/2024
Mar 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 03/2024
Apr 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 04/2024
May 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 05/2024
Jun 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 06/2024
Jul 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 07/2024
Aug 2024: Bear's Portfolio through 08/2024
