I had another down month in March to round out a very poor quarter. This was my worst quarter for returns since both Q2 and Q3 of 2002 when my returns in each quarter were nearly twice as bad as this Q1 2008. I learned a lot six years ago and think I’ve learned a good bit again and hope to continue to reduce my bad quarters’ losses and frequency again.
In my quest to reach my goals layed out last year I’m still cutting it close after losing more in March. If I can contine depositing $2,000 each month (April, May, June, July) and can bring in $2,000 in April, May and June, I’ll reach my goal with a few pennies to spare. I’m not against digging deeper in our checking account to push me over the mark if I’m close. Actually, I might have more to deposit than planned. We’re still trying to figure out what our monthly contributions can be with both of us (my wife and me) settling in to our new jobs and our insurance deduction and 401(k) contributions kicking in now.
My current account value according to Quicken is $78,311.83 and Ameritrade says my balance is $78,504.38.
Here’s how the returns break down:
- 12 month return: -7.25%
- Since my blog’s beginning (4/8/07): -7.98%
- I deposited another $2,000 on 3/12/08
According to Morningstar, here’s how I compare to the major indices:
- 12 month S&P 500 Return: -5.37%
- 12 month DJIA Return: +1.65%
- 12 month NASDAQ Return: -6.45%
- 12 month Russell 2000 Return: -13.24%
I’m ready for another good eight year run and hope I’m planning well enough not to repeat my bad quarter again starting tomorrow.
i printed out my QQQQ’s trading this March. I was beginning this daytrading style and had 4 losses at the beginning. But since then, changed my method and 8 of last 10 trading days were winners. Also, the 2 loss days were just 1 buck and 2 dollars! So I have shown some consistency. After April, i could send results for perusal if anyone is interested, possibly. For stateside people, i don’t know how you could daytrade, but in those last 10 trading days i made somewhere between 50 and 60% on my account!! I am working with a small account, but the %’s are real.
That’s awesome! It’s good to see you have a system down now that’s really working for you. Please, keep giving us updates. You’ll be back over $25k soon and will be able to do some real work then. Congrats!
Given that your performance is dependant upon securitiesmarket volatility and trends, how do you determine whether you did or did not have good or bad performance? All but those who completely shorted the markets in the first quarter are likely to be down. What relative benchmark to you use to judge your performance against the markets — about which you cannot do anything? In relative terms, a down market could have been good, depending upon your performance. Conversely, an up market could have been bad, depending on your performance.
Valid point – I base my performance opinion in comparison to the major indices I listed above. If I wasn’t actively investing I’d have my cash in ETFs that tried to mirror the indices. I try to beat those. If I’m down 10% and most indices are down 15%, I’m happy. If I’m up 10%, but the indices are up 15%, I’m not happy.