When I last posted one of these weekly updates two weeks ago, I suggested that I would attempt to post an update on schedule last week, despite my being on vacation. I even intended to post that update, right down to the final minutes. Unfortunately, at the last moment, I realized I hadn’t brought the key spreadsheet that contains my data, so I shelved that update. Today, we’ll let bygones be bygones and post a one-time special super-duper biweekly update! Why settle for one week of confusing changes in prices and values when you can have two? Let’s roll.

I tried to come up with a way to summarize the past two weeks of movement in the portfolios. That didn’t go so well. Let’s look at a slightly less brief summary: Some stocks were up, and others were down. Precious metals were down, but Caribou, holding gold, magically went up. Decision Moose didn’t do much of anything. So much intrigue, but don’t worry, as I’ll be explaining it all below.

If you were hoping that the past two weeks would convince me to make a slate of confusing changes to the comparison, you won’t be disappointed! Actually, I’m just kidding. The only changes this week are to accommodate the rather peculiar two weeks of data. Since I don’t expect this pattern to continue into the future, the changes will be reverted next week. I’m sorry. Anyway, let’s look at the table and the chart:

Portfolio 2 Weeks Ago This Week % Chg Total Gain CAGR
Magic Formula $868.75 $874.53 +0.67% +$124.53 +17.86%
TMW $829.86 $818.83 -1.33% +$68.83 +21.27%
Precious Metals $797.19 $771.80 -3.18% +$21.80 +32.05%
Caribou $759.33 $765.18 +0.77% +$15.18 +4.72%
Berkshire Hathaway $736.20 $759.29 +3.14% +$9.29 -11.79%
Decision Moose $744.00 $744.00 0.00% -$6.00 -3.85%

After two weeks, I was hoping for something slightly more drastic. Oh well. At least the chart looks pretty.

Portfolio Comparison: 2009-07-03

It’s been so exceedingly long since I last wrote about any of these portfolios (fourteen days), that I barely remember anything about what’s going on. As time goes on, I’m certainly getting less of a feel for each of the portfolios, and comparing them on such a short time scale is becoming increasingly difficult. Nonetheless, this time I’ve got two weeks of data to work with, so I should, in theory, have something to say about it:

  • It was a mixed bag in the world of stocks, but the Magic Formula portfolio continued its dominance, even gaining slightly during the past two weeks. Nonetheless, it is currently down from its peak, but I expect that to change sometime in the future.
  • Also up in the world of stocks was Berkshire Hathaway. It even clawed its way back into something other than last place, leaving poor Decision Moose to take that crown. I read a post somewhere suggesting that BRK-B may be a somewhat uncertain investment until a clear successor for Warren Buffett is apparent. It makes sense to me, anyway.
  • Finally, TMW failed to join in on the stock-rising fun, and fell slightly. However, it did receive a dividend of over four dollars, which helped stem some of the hemorrhaging.
  • The precious metals were down, leading to the associated portfolio also falling during the past two weeks. I continue to claim that at some point, the price of both gold and silver will shoot upward, but I’ve given up attempting to predict when that will happen.
  • Despite moving into GLD almost two weeks ago, the Caribou portfolio is inexplicably up. This is actually a result of buying gold later in the week, after it had already fallen somewhat.
  • Finally, Decision Moose continues to remain in cash. While that doesn’t make for much excitement, it also doesn’t make for much in the way of nominal losses.

Despite the lackluster performance the past couple of weeks, Caribou will be remaining in GLD this week. No other asset seems to currently stand much of a chance of being the next selection, though as the next couple of months pass, that may change rapidly, especially as last year’s crashes move further than 45 weeks in the past. For now, let’s instead entertain ourselves by examining the MFI portfolio details:

Stock Purchase Date Cost 2 Weeks Ago Current Dividends Gain
CTCM 2009-04-08 $5.80 $10.59 $10.92 $0.00 +88.28%
MSB 2009-03-10 $6.06 $11.77 $11.03 $0.38 +88.15%
QLTI 2009-03-10 $1.44 $2.32 $2.13 $0.00 +47.92%
PTIE 2009-03-10 $3.96 $5.06 $5.41 $0.00 +36.62%
QCOR 2009-05-07 $4.44 $4.73 $5.27 $0.00 +18.61%
CHKE 2009-05-07 $18.75 $18.61 $19.64 $0.50 +7.41%
ELNK 2009-04-08 $7.08 $7.60 $7.50 $0.00 +6.01%
VSNT 2009-05-07 $14.68 $14.79 $15.35 $0.00 +4.56%
HSII 2009-01-22 $16.79 $17.70 $17.28 $0.26 +4.50%
ENDP 2009-06-11 $17.59 $17.73 $17.89 $0.00 +1.71%
GHM 2009-06-11 $13.95 $13.88 $13.00 $0.00 -6.81%
KSW 2009-01-22 $2.95 $2.60 $2.69 $0.00 -8.82%
PRGX 2009-04-08 $3.25 $2.66 $2.91 $0.00 -10.46%
SCMP 2009-06-11 $6.43 $5.76 $5.68 $0.00 -11.66%
KHD 2009-01-22 $10.17 $8.35 $8.46 $0.00 -16.80%

It was a rather mixed bag these past two weeks, with some stocks up and others down. It’s difficult to draw any distinct conclusions. I noticed that one of my other test portfolios received a dividend from GHM, but in this portfolio, I must have purchased too late to receive that benefit. Also, it is somewhat disconcerting to watch MSB continue to stumble from its astronomical highs. I can only hope that it returns to its former glory before the full year passes.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, I should be returning to my weekly posting interval next week. In addition, the time has come for yet another round of MFI stock purchases, so I will be posting about those selections as soon as I run the numbers, perhaps on Tuesday or Wednesday.