May saw my net worth increase by 1.1%, due to positive savings and higher pension & property valuations.
The value of my investment portfolio was down around 0.5%, with decreases in Europe and emerging markets ETFs. There were a number of dividends received in the month, but not enough to offset the lower portfolio value.
My pension fund unit values were up around 1% in what seemed to be quite a volatile month.
Property rental income was paid in full & on time. I've recorded a small increase in the value of my existing property following a recent valuation. My new property investment is expected to complete in June or July, at which point i'll be looking to rent it out as soon as possible.
Cash balances were higher, with average savings and no new investments. There was a reasonable amount of planned travel expense in the month.
Year to date net worth growth: 15%
Year to date savings rate: 76%
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Thursday, 30 April 2015
April 2015 Review
April saw my net worth increase by 1.4%, with strong savings, pension & investment performance.
The value of my investment portfolio was around 2% higher, despite a fall in the last couple of days. Equities and currencies (with affect a number of my ETFs) have been very volatile in the past week or so, so i'm on the look out for investment opportunities (despite most of my cash being tied up in a potential property purchase).
My pension fund unit values were up around 3% following a strong month in a number of major equities markets.
Property rental income was paid in full & on time. A new property investment is in progress but i expect it will take a few months to complete. There are likely to be some one off costs associated with the purchase but all should easily be absorbed by monthly savings.
Cash balances were lower following a tax payment and a small investment, although savings were quite reasonable. Income was strong but this was offset by some travel and entertainment costs during the month.
Year to date net worth growth: 14%
Year to date savings rate: 79%
The value of my investment portfolio was around 2% higher, despite a fall in the last couple of days. Equities and currencies (with affect a number of my ETFs) have been very volatile in the past week or so, so i'm on the look out for investment opportunities (despite most of my cash being tied up in a potential property purchase).
My pension fund unit values were up around 3% following a strong month in a number of major equities markets.
Property rental income was paid in full & on time. A new property investment is in progress but i expect it will take a few months to complete. There are likely to be some one off costs associated with the purchase but all should easily be absorbed by monthly savings.
Cash balances were lower following a tax payment and a small investment, although savings were quite reasonable. Income was strong but this was offset by some travel and entertainment costs during the month.
Year to date net worth growth: 14%
Year to date savings rate: 79%
Thursday, 23 April 2015
IAPD.L Purchased
After spending most of the year sitting on the sidelines & watching most equities markets rally, i've decided to re-enter the market to top up an existing holding.
IAPD is an Asia Pacific high dividend ETF, with a heavy weighting towards Australia & New Zealand. Its price has fallen recently, i think largely due to fx movements, as the Australian Dollar has weakened to a multi year low against GBP.
It yields well over 5%, and my long term views for Australia remain positive given its core economic strength. It therefore offered relatively good value in comparison to the other main core holdings in my portfolio, and now becomes one of the largest individual holdings.
The purchase price of this tranche was around GBP20.05.
IAPD is an Asia Pacific high dividend ETF, with a heavy weighting towards Australia & New Zealand. Its price has fallen recently, i think largely due to fx movements, as the Australian Dollar has weakened to a multi year low against GBP.
It yields well over 5%, and my long term views for Australia remain positive given its core economic strength. It therefore offered relatively good value in comparison to the other main core holdings in my portfolio, and now becomes one of the largest individual holdings.
The purchase price of this tranche was around GBP20.05.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Property investment update - offer accepted
I've mentioned a few times in the last year my plans to use some of my cash reserves to add a new property investment to my assets.
This is partly due to a positive experience with my existing property investment, partly my reluctance to materially increase my stock market investments, and partly due to my desire to earn a greater yield than that available on cash. My cash reserves have also been well above my target for some time.
Following some on and off research starting last summer i've finally got around to putting in an offer on a property, which has just been accepted.
In terms of numbers, it isn't huge, but does yield well above my existing property with a potential gross yield over 6% and a net yield after taxes & costs over 4%. It looks to be in excellent condition so it should be possible to get it onto the rental market quickly after completion.
Away from the numbers, i found it refreshingly easy & emotionless bidding for a property purely as an investment rather than somewhere i would be living. Hopefully the legal side will run as smoothly over the coming weeks.
This is partly due to a positive experience with my existing property investment, partly my reluctance to materially increase my stock market investments, and partly due to my desire to earn a greater yield than that available on cash. My cash reserves have also been well above my target for some time.
Following some on and off research starting last summer i've finally got around to putting in an offer on a property, which has just been accepted.
In terms of numbers, it isn't huge, but does yield well above my existing property with a potential gross yield over 6% and a net yield after taxes & costs over 4%. It looks to be in excellent condition so it should be possible to get it onto the rental market quickly after completion.
Away from the numbers, i found it refreshingly easy & emotionless bidding for a property purely as an investment rather than somewhere i would be living. Hopefully the legal side will run as smoothly over the coming weeks.
Monday, 30 March 2015
March 2015 Review
March saw my net worth increase by 8.9%, mainly a result of larger than expected lump sum income.
The value of my investment portfolio was around 1% higher, with a lot of volatility during the month. There were no new purchases as i struggle to see value following rallies across most markets. A lot of my ETFs also paid dividends during the month.
My pension fund unit values were fairly flat, there seems to be some time lag for equities market movements flowing into to the pension unit prices, so these don't always move in line with the market on a day to day basis. They are up over 4% for the year though, which is consistent with the year to date increase in my investment portfolio.
Property rental income was paid in full & on time. I've been actively pursuing new property investments during the month. I'll separately post about these should there be any progress.
Cash balances were materially higher due to a large lump sum income. I've spent a lot of time this month updating how i manage my cash in light of this increase. This has seen all funds not being held back for emergencies & investments being placed in longer term time deposits at higher interest rates. That being said, i've kept a lot of cash available at short notice for a potential property investment, so the overall cash yield has stayed fairly flat.
The spike in income has temporarily distorted up my year to date savings rate to 82%. This should drift back down towards 60% as the year progresses.
Year to date net worth growth: 12%
Year to date savings rate: 82%
The value of my investment portfolio was around 1% higher, with a lot of volatility during the month. There were no new purchases as i struggle to see value following rallies across most markets. A lot of my ETFs also paid dividends during the month.
My pension fund unit values were fairly flat, there seems to be some time lag for equities market movements flowing into to the pension unit prices, so these don't always move in line with the market on a day to day basis. They are up over 4% for the year though, which is consistent with the year to date increase in my investment portfolio.
Property rental income was paid in full & on time. I've been actively pursuing new property investments during the month. I'll separately post about these should there be any progress.
Cash balances were materially higher due to a large lump sum income. I've spent a lot of time this month updating how i manage my cash in light of this increase. This has seen all funds not being held back for emergencies & investments being placed in longer term time deposits at higher interest rates. That being said, i've kept a lot of cash available at short notice for a potential property investment, so the overall cash yield has stayed fairly flat.
The spike in income has temporarily distorted up my year to date savings rate to 82%. This should drift back down towards 60% as the year progresses.
Year to date net worth growth: 12%
Year to date savings rate: 82%
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