Month Three Performance - 4%

Despite the market gyrations on July 31st and during the first week of August, the test portfolio has held up ok.  Here's this month's results.

And here is the 3 month performance graph.

Gainers this month:  Great Canadian Gaming (GC) up a handsome 28% since portfolio inception.  Equitable Group (EQ) up a respectable 8%, Stantec (STN) up 7% and Gildan (GIL) up 6%.

Losers this month:  West Fraser Timber (WFT) continues it's decline with a loss of over 6%, CGI (GIB.A) and Linamar (LNR) both flat since portfolio inception.

Total dividends paid out to date are $34, latest from Gildan on Aug 12, and portfolio growth is now $1419.

Here's the portfolio returns for the past 3 months:

Aug: 4%, $1419

Jul: 3%, $1027

Jun: 0.5%, $186

Market pundits anticipate a mostly sideways market until October/November, so I expect September to be a less than interesting month on the markets.

Month Two Performance - 2.9%

We're on the second month of monitoring the test portfolio.  The graph below shows an upward trend but not without periodic dips.  Forward two steps and back one, it seems.  Let's hope the upward trend continues.

Here's a look at how the components of the portfolio are doing.  It's up almost 3% in two months, so the average would be about 1.5% per month.  Contrast that with the current GIC rate.  Also about 1.5% but that's what you get ~ IF ~ you hold it for 3 years.  Portfolio gain is just over $1000.

The good thing is that there's some equalization of the stocks, so the portfolio is balancing itself out.   Since last month, we see that Great Canadian Gaming (GC)  has given back most of it's gains, and West Fraser Timber (WFT) has reduced it's losses.   Gildan Activewear (GIL) is showing a decent return of almost 10% this month.  CGI Group (GIB.A)is also up a respectable 4%.  It's participation in the development of Obamacare's website seems to be paying off.  Equitable Group (EQB) and Stantec (STN)  continue to make minor contributions to the portfolio growth.

Linamar, the golden stock of 2013 is one of the poorer performers now and is continuing to be eclipsed by Magna, it's nearest competitor.  Magna is up 9% since May 16.

Another $17 has been generated in dividends this month, bringing the portfolio dividend total to $27.  Portfolio growth is now $1027.

Well, that's it for this month.  This portfolio is getting to be as bountiful as these daisies.  See you in August.

One month performance - 0.5%

Well after one month, the performance of this test portfolio has been pretty lack luster.  It's up about half on one percent (before commissions).  Two weeks ago, the portfolio had reached almost 2%, but has since given back those gains.  The $10 cash in the last table row indicates the dividend received from Linamar (LNR) and Equitable Group (EQB) during the past month. Click on any of the images to expand them.

The drag on the portfolio is attributed to West Fraser Timber (WFT) which is down almost 7% since portfolio inception.  Otherwise, the portfolio would be making a return of about 2-3% as you can see from the average returns of most of the stocks in this basket.  I would have expected West Fraser to have benefited from the continued housing gains in the U.S. meh.

Portfolio profit is $108.

It looks like the steam has run out for Linamar.  I mean 3% for the last month is nothing to sneeze at but it pales in comparison to the returns that Linamar was getting in 2013. The chart below shows a one month comparison of Linamar vs. Magna (MG).  As you can see Linamar is pretty much flat.  Magna which is up almost 8% on the month, is the another auto parts manufacturer.  Both Linamar and Magna did well during 2013 as the U.S. auto industry continues it's recovery.

The best performing stock in the portfolio is Great Canadian Gaming (GC), up over 9%, but I think this is attributable to the recent purchase of Poker Stars by Amaya Gaming group (AYA) for 4.9 billion dollars, yes billions.  The one month return on Amaya's stock is 173%.

Check back in next month to see if the portfolio has gained any footing, but I expect that the markets will go sideways over the summer months, unless something spectacular happens. Have a great day.