Quote:
Originally Posted by barrrf
MMmkay then............I guess back to Investing 102
Question about diversity (just searched and found that Greg likes to be as diverse as possible and like 8 segments). Im in 5 different segements - is that enough? Its the bulk of the paltry $100k I have put away since starting work 10 years ago.
Banking
Energy (solar)
Tech
Industrial (Aerospace Mfg)
Shipping (Rail - not sure if this the right category though)
Looks good? Thoughts on those sectors?
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There is no way to always follow every "rule" -- which really should be thought of as "guide lines" rather than rules...
Owning 5 different sectors is excellent overall.
But what's really important -- is which names you own in each sector.... Do they pay you to own them (do they pay a dividend)?.... and what's the name you own TOTAL RETURN over a longer period of time (5 and 10 years) as compared to the other companies in that sector (in other words - their competitors).
Doing this research yourself -- gets you involved in understanding the possibilities and can affirm (or not - LOL) why you are invested in them.
Investing is about MAKING MONEY.... and MAKING MONEY LONG TERM. So take a look at every name you're invested in - and look at PERCENTAGES more than dollar amounts -- because you can directly compare percentages. Obviously 10% is better than 2% -- but you might have a gain of $10,000 on the 2% earner.... and only a gain of $1,000 in the 10% earner. Obviously you'd be way farther ahead having that reversed!
But what you're really looking for is the TOTAL RETURN on your investments. That's the ultimate metric. That's a combination of the dividend (if any) and the growth of capital. It doesn't make any difference where that total return comes from - as long as it compares favorably to what else you could have invested in.
Just looking at Bank of America (BAC) vs Wells Fargo Bank (WFC) over the last 5 years ---
Total return for BAC -- 33.7%
Total return for WFC -- 131.7%
So both are "Financials" --- one more than doubled your money in 5 years -- one only added a 1/3rd
There is no better comparison than TOTAL RETURN on your investment IMHO. You need to look at everything you own and make these kinds of comparisons and see how your's stack up. Sometimes it's a real eye opener.