I thought I would do a new series on the blog, looking at how my portfolio is growing throughout the year. I am going to do these type of updates at the end of every quarter, so I can see how it changes and (hopefully) grows over time.
I love seeing other investors and what their portfolios contain, to see if we have similar holdings or for inspiration to do research in different shares that I perhaps wouldn’t have considered. My portfolio is another branch of our early retirement plan, in the sense that I am investing in dividend paying shares, along with some funds, so that it begins to produce another stream of income. And, over time, when the magic snowball effect starts to come into play, the numbers should be quite significant.
|
Stocks |
||
|
Company |
No. of shares |
Dividend? |
|
BT |
100 |
Yes |
|
ITV Plc |
100 |
Yes |
|
Lloyds Banking Group |
150 |
Yes |
|
Marks and Spencer |
16 |
Yes |
|
Morrisons Supermarkets |
150 |
Yes |
|
Next |
9 |
Yes |
|
Sirius Minerals |
1000 |
No |
|
Vodafone |
17 |
Yes |
|
Whitbread |
40 |
Yes |
|
Funds |
||
|
CF Woodford Equity Income |
129.48 |
|
|
Vanguard LifeStrategy 60% Equity |
5.37 |
The weighting in my stocks and shares ISA is currently Equities 78.7%/Funds 20.1%/Cash 1.2% which is slightly different to the weightings I originally planned on. I did plan on having more that 20% of funds, but I haven’t found any more that I want to invest it, as of yet. The Sirius Minerals investment is a bit of a gamble in a way; I bought them at 15p a share so they haven’t cost me much but I’m hoping that they’ll grow in cost, as they are not currently a dividend paying stock. I have been keeping an eye on them and the company, and I think they should do quite well in the long term. However, we shall see.
With all the dividends received throughout the year, I intend to buy more shares in other companies. I am hoping to top up my position in Next and Whitbread, but they’re the two most expensive shares I own so at the moment, they are outside of my reach. I would like to own at least 100 shares in each of these companies, but that might take some time.
I am still very much in the mindset that buying stocks that pay dividends is the way forward at this point in time. The fact that you can buy tiny parts of a company and then they pay you for owning that tiny part is incredible. I know that dividends are not always a guarantee and that they can be cut or decreased at any stage. However, as a dividend growth investor, that is something I need to keep my eye on! But, being paid mini pay checks for not doing anything is amazing. £10 will become £50, then £100 and so on. Once the dividend income could pay for certain bills, then the ball will really be rolling. I’m so excited to see that happen.
How has the first quarter been for your investing?
Congrats Nicola. That lists of stocks is incredible. I must commend you on the number of stocks you bought. Good luck!
Congrats Nicola. That list of stocks is incredible. I must commend you on the number of stocks you bought. Good luck!
I like the fact that you are planning different income streams. I am doing the same. I know that many American bloggers swear by index funds and base their plans on withdrawing 4% per year, but as far as I am concerned it is much safer to have different sources of income, so if one dries up there’s a backup plan. Maybe it’s because I am a conservative European 😉
I haven’t got very far with different income streams, but it’s definitely something I am working on!
This blog is a good start 😉 well done
Great post! I’m really enjoying your blog and looking forward to seeing how you build on this