How are we doing so far this year?
As of Friday’s close:
The S&P 500 is up 2.8%.
The Russell 2000 is up 2.1% (Small cap index)
My portfolio is up 23.5%. This is ahead of the S&P by 20.7%, and ahead of the Russell by 21.4%, in less than five months. We have not relied on a booming market for our gains, as the indexes have been almost flat.
I doubt that we can continue this pace, but it sure is nice for now! 
Saul
Last time I checked (in March at quarter end?) I was at around +6%, which is ahead of the S&P and I was very happy. (My port is more diversified / sedate.)
I will check again and get back to you.
Karen
Hi Saul,
I’m doing very well - as of last Friday’s close, my portfolio is up 15.0% YTD.
I agree that we may not be able to continue this pace and that it’s very nice for now! :^)
Cheers,
Chris
Hi
17.6% for me. Happy trading/investing to all
Andy
Let me say that without MF, in general, and Saul’s Investing Discussions Board, specifically, I have learned, and continue to learn, more than I ever dreamed I would about investing. Well, I am up:
Not the best return but I will take it. Much gratitude for all the teachers on this Board!!!
Fool On,
Htownrich
I doubt that we can continue this pace, but it sure is nice for now!
The pace is accelerating. S&P500 is up 3.0% YTD. My portfolio is up 2.6% TODAY!
Chris
Well Chris, I know you are doing better than I am, with your intelligent use of options for more leverage, but I’m up 27.7% on the year without options, (beating the S&P by 23.4% so far this year).
Saul
Up 20% YTD.
So much better than the beating from last year. I owe it much to the lessons and wisdom given out by Saul and the many truly excellent posters here.
It really is a lot of fun digging into the financials of companies and learning about them. So thanks to all of you.
Especially the antagonists to certain stock picks here, who give their sound reasoning behind going against a stock.
It's good to be questioned - if you can answer satisfactorily, you can be even surer of your picks.
Actually, a large portion of the gains are from ELLI and AMBA, bought 16-20 months ago, both brought to my attention from Saul's posts on other boards.
Question in regards to calculating portfolio returns.
I have read the FAQ about it. I do it slightly differently and I'm wondering if it's pretty much the same thing, or if I'm throwing in massive inaccuracies.
This is how I do it:
(Current Portfolio Value - Total Funds Added this year) / Portfolio Value Jan 1st
For instance.
Portfolio Value Jan 1st = 100
Current Portfolio = 140
Total added funds throughout the year = 20
(140-20)/100 = 1.2
20% gain.
I guess it's probably the same?
Question in regards to calculating portfolio returns.
I have read the FAQ about it. I do it slightly differently
What I personally find easiest is to treat my portfolio like a mutual fund, which has a share value. You just pick a starting value, like 1000/share – it doesn’t matter.
Then when you add cash, you buy shares of your mutual fund. When you withdraw cash, you sell shares of your mutual fund. The share value of your personal mutual fund is not affected by cash going in or coming out. Your share price only goes up or down based on your fund’s performance.
Your actual portfolio value then is the share price of your fund times the number of shares you own.
That’s how I do it, anyway.
Neil
Question in regards to calculating portfolio returns.
I have read the FAQ about it. I do it slightly differently and I’m wondering if it’s pretty much the same thing, or if I’m throwing in massive inaccuracies.
Hi Billy, As Neil already pointed out, it’s unfortunately not the same. It gives you a rough approximation only. You need to take into account the price of your “mutual fund” when you add, and make sure it doesn’t change. The accurate way to do it is the way described in the FAQ, but it’s your money, and you can do it as you like.
Saul