Kirk, the 3 funds I mentioned were messed up in my post.
In case you care they are BSCFX up 49% ytd, MNGCX up 65% ytd and TIGEX up 23% ytd obviously outperforming VTSMX up 18% ytd.
Thanks Marc. Still, a very timely purchase on your part last yr!! 8)
After asking how you have done, I went and tried to deconvolve my equity portfolio returns from my total return. As you pointed out, I did take a hit with BOWG, but I have made up most of it with timely purchases recently where it is now more than 3 times it low point for the year and seems to be going up strongly as we are really doing well. (for a nut company, that means more hits for less bucks and ahead of schedule.)
After some algebra to do the deconvolution, I calculate I am up 28% YTD assuming an averaged fixed rate of return of 6%. (overall is about 22%) I have the math and formulas here:
suite101.com
What is interesting is I did this WITHOUT any VonWagoner, Barron or Janus Internet heavy funds. I just buy mostly DOW stocks, a few S&P500 stocks and a few semiconductor capital equipment stock when out of favor and take profits when overbought (sold SOME HWP at $114 and LRCX at $84). Recent purchases of UTEK (thanks again to Bob for pointing out a company with good potential) at $15 have paid really well short term too, but pail in comparison to the BOWG shares bought under $1.000 8) Of course, the BOWG shares could go right back down, so the amount is not significant and would only change my totals by maybe 1% either with a double or a halving.
What is scary to me is many have "market returns" but are doing it with a few funds that have mostly internet stock in them. I wonder if these funds are diversifying or just getting more funds from people impressed with the returns thus giving positive feedback to the already "bubbly" internet sector?
I prefer to do the risky US investing myself...but let the funds do the International (my PRASX us up 64% YTD)as I know next to nothing about individual stocks and valuations in foreign countries.
To reemphasise, I am getting good returns wihout buying internet companies such as yahoo, aol, amazon or other highly valued stocks subject to heavy falls anytime.
BTW, my spreadsheet lists VTSMX as up 16.7% YTD if you add in the $0.22 dividend.
have a good weekend!
Kirk
PS I expect someone like Alan to tell us how well you CAN do with internet stocks... just I don't sleep that well if I have them in my portfolio. My more modest returns are fine for me. 8) |
