Wow, has it really been over a year since I last updated this site!?
Since the start of 2018 I've been on a hell of a learning curve, and a costly one at that! Last year saw me absolutely battered in percentage terms, figures of the like I hope I never see again! It was quite a volatile year on the markets all round, but a combination of getting whipped out of stocks on sharp falls through stop losses, then me trying to chase back that lost money, only to be whipped out again meant I went on a real losing streak. This culminated in ending 2018 with a loss of around 23% in my SIPP, and a whopping 60% in my ISA!!! Don't get me wrong, both portfolios were pretty low in value (both 4 figures) so percentages are always going to be high one way or another due to the number of holdings at a relevantly high percentage holding to PF value. Even so it was still an eye watering time for large parts. It was at this point I started to look at the bigger picture. What was I doing wrong? What was I doing right? Where can I improve and actually works? I feel like I was simply looking too short term, I was too reactivate to what the general day to day prices were doing. It was at this point I started to zoom those charts out, no longer was I looking at 3 months, 6 months, or even 12. I zoomed out 3 years, even 5 years in some cases. I looked only at the figures given in half year and full year results. I looked at the language used in RNS'. I basically tried to "block out the noise". It felt like I'd almost reset the way I was looking at companies. Most of what I do in how I find shares to research hasn't actually changed, there have been a few tweaks for sure, but the core of what I'm doing is still much the same. Now obviously only time will time if what I'm now doing will help. I've certainly made a positive start. Both ISA (now boosted in funds somewhat) and SIPP are both up around 21% this calendar year, on the backdrop of an ever improving FTSE. The real test will come when those volatile times return, which they will, who knows when. I feel like I'm going to be less affected by these movements now as I feel I hold some real solid companies who are demonstrating good profit increases year on year. I'm not sure if I'll pick up with the updates on here, I'll just have to see how I continue psychologically in my attitude towards my investments. I feel sometimes it led to me overtrading and I certainly don't want a return to that. If I feel I can overcome that, then I'll certainly update you more. I won't be into too much detail of individual investments, but to give you an idea on the backdrop of last years terrible run, current holdings now include the likes of CCC, D4T4, GAW, JDG & SSY which are all showing profits of over 10%, while JD. shows a very positive run leaving me up over 55% currently. These are the sort of companies I'm happy to carry on holding, even if the market did take a turn for the worse. Until next time (maybe)...
1 Comment
11/27/2020 09:27:40 am
Stock trading is not child's play. There are actual risks of losing every penny you have like the I got ripped me off of everything because I did not learn well enough. I have improved a lot by doing it myself and that's what you should do.
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AuthorConfessions of a Crap Trader is a blog following a regular investor trying to make profit via the London Stock Exchange. Follow his journey as he attempts to hopefully one day pay his mortgage off in full! Archives
April 2018
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