September saw my net worth increase by 1.4%, with a healthy savings rate and stronger pension fund performance.
The value of my investment portfolio was broadly flat. Whilst many unit values increased, there were offsetting foreign exchange movements.
My pension fund unit values increased helped in particular by increases in the HK equities market earlier in the month.
My property saw a change in tenant but luckily no vacant period. There were a number of turnover costs but the new rent is around 6% higher.
Cash balances increased with good income and no significant expenses or investments.
Year to date net worth growth: 33.8%
Year to date savings rate: 73%
Monday, 30 September 2013
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Current investment thoughts
I haven't been particularly active in the markets recently. After the dip around June, equities have been performing better, with the exception of a number of emerging markets where substantial fx movements have affected sentiment.
Since June, my investing activities have been limited to regular pension fund contributions (mainly global equities) and a couple of small regular monthly purchases of the HK & China index trackers. My cash reserves are still high and with savings interest rates still falling i feel like i should be investing more, but i'm finding it difficult to get back into the markets at current valuations. This isn't helped by the reaction of the markets of the Fed's decision to hold off tapering, making some of the recent increases look temporary.
The weaker performers in my portfolio have been fixed income and emerging markets, but as these already make up a big proportion of the overall portfolio i don't really want to grow these more rapidly. Instead, i might look to add some more stable high dividend ETFs to build up a larger long term income stream.
Since June, my investing activities have been limited to regular pension fund contributions (mainly global equities) and a couple of small regular monthly purchases of the HK & China index trackers. My cash reserves are still high and with savings interest rates still falling i feel like i should be investing more, but i'm finding it difficult to get back into the markets at current valuations. This isn't helped by the reaction of the markets of the Fed's decision to hold off tapering, making some of the recent increases look temporary.
The weaker performers in my portfolio have been fixed income and emerging markets, but as these already make up a big proportion of the overall portfolio i don't really want to grow these more rapidly. Instead, i might look to add some more stable high dividend ETFs to build up a larger long term income stream.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
August 2013 Review
August saw my net worth increase by 0.5%, with a medium savings rate partly offset by falls in investment and pension values.
The value of my investment portfolio decreased by around 1.5% with falls in many ETFs towards the end of the month. Gold and silver were slightly higher which cushioned the falls.
My pension fund unit values decreased broadly in line with the major equities indices.
My property remained occupied but the current tenant will be leaving in September. Whilst i don't expect any vacant period, there will be a few turnover costs as a result. However, there may also be higher rent going forward which will be of benefit in the long run.
Cash balances increased but the savings rate was lower than usual, due to some large travel and leisure expenses. Some of these were planned so i'm not overly concerned.
Year to date net worth growth: 32%
Year to date savings rate: 74%
The value of my investment portfolio decreased by around 1.5% with falls in many ETFs towards the end of the month. Gold and silver were slightly higher which cushioned the falls.
My pension fund unit values decreased broadly in line with the major equities indices.
My property remained occupied but the current tenant will be leaving in September. Whilst i don't expect any vacant period, there will be a few turnover costs as a result. However, there may also be higher rent going forward which will be of benefit in the long run.
Cash balances increased but the savings rate was lower than usual, due to some large travel and leisure expenses. Some of these were planned so i'm not overly concerned.
Year to date net worth growth: 32%
Year to date savings rate: 74%
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Some tenant turnover
I recently learned that my tenant is looking to vacate my property early to relocate with work.
Fortunately i have a good property agent that has agreed with the leaving tenant they will be liable for rent and bills up to the date a new tenant moves in, thus ensuring no vacancy losses.
I will however have to pay for the usual items with new tenancy agreements, but these should not be material and would have been incurred at the end of the tenancy anyway - ie. more of an acceleration of costs.
The good news is that after re-marketing the property for one day, a new tenant may have already been found that is prepared to pay around 6% higher rent. I'll see how this progresses over the next couple of weeks.
The benefits of a good property agent cannot be underestimated!
Fortunately i have a good property agent that has agreed with the leaving tenant they will be liable for rent and bills up to the date a new tenant moves in, thus ensuring no vacancy losses.
I will however have to pay for the usual items with new tenancy agreements, but these should not be material and would have been incurred at the end of the tenancy anyway - ie. more of an acceleration of costs.
The good news is that after re-marketing the property for one day, a new tenant may have already been found that is prepared to pay around 6% higher rent. I'll see how this progresses over the next couple of weeks.
The benefits of a good property agent cannot be underestimated!
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
July 2013 Review
July saw my net worth increase by 3.7%, following a rebound in the performance of my pension funds and investments, along with an increase in the valuation of my property.
The value of my investment portfolio increased by over 3% with most of the ETFs improving after a poor June. Metals & the China ETF continue to lag, and the only investment in the month was a small standing monthly order of the HK index.
My pension fund unit values increased by over 5% largely offsetting the falls in June, helped by a higher UK weighting.
My property remained occupied, although i'm expecting a few small expenses to come through over the next couple of months. I've increased the value i hold my property at by around 4%, the first change in almost a year, following consistently higher local market valuations.
Cash balances increased strongly with good income, average expenses and no major investments. I'm expecting my savings rate to fall as the year goes on as i'm planning a few holidays in the coming months.
Year to date net worth growth: 31.3%
Year to date savings rate: 76%
The value of my investment portfolio increased by over 3% with most of the ETFs improving after a poor June. Metals & the China ETF continue to lag, and the only investment in the month was a small standing monthly order of the HK index.
My pension fund unit values increased by over 5% largely offsetting the falls in June, helped by a higher UK weighting.
My property remained occupied, although i'm expecting a few small expenses to come through over the next couple of months. I've increased the value i hold my property at by around 4%, the first change in almost a year, following consistently higher local market valuations.
Cash balances increased strongly with good income, average expenses and no major investments. I'm expecting my savings rate to fall as the year goes on as i'm planning a few holidays in the coming months.
Year to date net worth growth: 31.3%
Year to date savings rate: 76%
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