Monday 30 September 2013

September 2013 Review

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%

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.