How did you do in the market this year?

[dmcummins]

I just looked up the last few years return on my boring 401k that is invested in various American funds, 2003 34.67%. 2004 13.07%, 2005 10.7%, 2006 18.04%, 2007 12.67%.

I retired last year at 50 and this is just one of my portfolio's. I sometime's do better with my individual stocks but of coarse I'm taking on more risk and sometimes get burned. As long as I can average around 4% plus a little for inflation I will be in good shape.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

FOR YOUR RECORD:

I currenty have approximately ONE THIRD of my total portfolio invested in TESORO and approximately ONE QUARTER of my total portfolio invested in VALERO.
I have apporovimately ONE THIRD of my total portfolio invested in the MUTUAL FUNDS listed. Just as I have posted over and over again.
Should I type it slower?

Maybe it would help.
I can see where those two hi-flyer stocks returned around that 45% your portfolio made in 2007, but I'm just trying to figure out how that other 1/3 that was in mutuals did the same?

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by fintstone

The TSP international fund is a "true index fund"...and no, I did not...unless you are trying to say from 2000 through 2002

Try the math again: 1999, 26.72%; 2000, -14.17%; 2001 5.39%; 2002 5.00%; 2003; 37.94

Of course I will take one bad year to get these returns:
1998, 20.09%, 1999, 26.72%; 2000, -14.17%; 2001 5.39%; 2002 5.00%; 2003; 37.94, 2004, 20.00%; 2005, 13.63%; 2006, 26.32%

Sheesh, what a troll.

You like "troll" don't you? You must have learned a new word (even though you often use it incorrectly) last month. Congrats.

What confuses you about 2000, 2001, and 2002 being in between 1999 and 2003? Hmmm...........does that make you a troll...or a dip*****?

I indicated that for that particular 36 month period you lost money...and you did. Actually you lost over 5% during 2000, 2001, and 2002. (I listed them in order so as not to confuse you.)

Now, I want to see if I can make you have an orgasm: troll, troll, troll, troll. Are you there yet?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by WI wide body

You like "troll" don't you? You must have learned a new word (even though you often use it incorrectly) last month. Congrats.

What confuses you about 2000, 2001, and 2002 being in between 1999 and 2003? Hmmm...........does that make you a troll...or a dip*****?

I indicated that for that particular 36 month period you lost money...and you did. Actually you lost over 5% during 2000, 2001, and 2002. (I listed them in order so as not to confuse you.)

Now, I want to see if I can make you have an orgasm: troll, troll, troll, troll. Are you there yet?

So troll...What is your point?
You were not clear in your wording ...as usual. Is English your second language?
"And between 1999 and 2003 " is pretty vague. But assuming you actually meant from Jan 1 2000 until the end of Dec 2002...you are correct, there is a slight loss...what is your point?

These are outstanding returns that greatly outperformed the market. Even my one negative year was much better than most folks did that year.

1998, 20.09%, 1999, 26.72%; 2000, -14.17%; 2001 5.39%; 2002 5.00%; 2003; 37.94, 2004, 20.00%; 2005, 13.63%; 2006, 26.32%; 2007 17.54%

One bad year out of 10...LOL What is that...an investment that has safely grown to about 4 times my original investment in 10 years?...I'll take that any day.
...and yes...you are clearly a troll.

[the]

Those are all good numbers, no doubt, and this post isn't directed to them.

But I've found that my own return numbers, when looked at on a yearly (or monthly, or stock by stock) basis like that, aren't as good as they appear at first glance, when there are losses involved.

For example:

Say you have a portfolio. It makes 50% one year, but then loses 50% the next year. Not bad, you've broken even, right?

Not exactly, when you run the numbers.

$1000, goes up 50% in Year 1: Now = $1500.

Then the $1500 goes down 50% in Year 2: Now = $750!

Now, just to rebound from that 50% loss in year 2, and get back to where I was at the end of year 1, takes a lot of work. In year 3, I need to make a return of 100%!

The $750 goes up 100% in Year 3: Now = $1500

[fintstone]

Yes, It takes a 100% gain to overcome a 50% loss. That is why tight stoplosses are so important when investing in individual stocks...and why it is important to look at gains over longer periods.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Yes, It takes a 100% gain to overcome a 50% loss. That is why tight stoplosses are so important when investing in individual stocks...and why it is important to look at gains over longer periods.

I see that in your previous post you finished with the word "troll" once again. Does that mean that you did not reach climax? Too bad, keep it "up" and you may yet suceed.

Per your recommendation in this post: Yes, we all use "stop loss" for individual stocks, but how exactly do you execute a "tight stop loss" in your Federal Employee Thrift Saving Plan I Fund (a TSP) since that is seldom an option?

By the way, my personal investments for 2007 were not really close to your TSP. Until taking early retirement in early 1997 I was in manufacturing so I try to stick with those type stocks. Last year I was into the "FL" area. 40% of my lump sum was in FLS and FLR. Sold FLR a bit too soon (in Sept.) and missed the
high and still have FLS but maybe I should have sold. Oh well, a 91.27% gain is not quite as good as I did in 1999 but it did beat the market a bit last year.

Also beat the average "index fund" and TSP I believe.

If you are interested, I will advise you on what stock symbols I will soon be getting into. Have not made a final decision yet but am leaning toward the "ST" area for the first two letters this year.

Please advise.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by WI wide body

Maybe it would help.
I can see where those two hi-flyer stocks returned around that 45% your portfolio made in 2007, but I'm just trying to figure out how that other 1/3 that was in mutuals did the same?

You seem to be struggling with now vs. then.
I detailed what I have invested now. I also detailed what i had invested at ther beginning of 2006, namely nearly 50/50 in TSO and VLO. Did you real that thread I linked to a page or two back? It's in there.

At first I thought you were just curious, but now I'm getting the impression that you don't believe me. Don't go there. too many details to prove you wrong. juast because someone else can't invest doesn't mean I can't.

One more data point for your ammusement, this was a direct quote from www.914club.com sometime in 2005. It was a result of the gas prices starting to climb http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=36878&hl=valero&st=20

There are many other posts there and on this board if you want to search:

Several years ago on the bird board (pelican) and also on this board IIRC, I predicted this would happen based on demand outpacing supply and also the removal of MTBE from the gasoline pool.
I also stated that I sunk every spare penny i had into three different independant oil company stocks.

To make a long story longer, I love the high gas prices. Valero (VLO) has gone up over 400% since I first posted about it. Tesoro TSO has gone up almost 500% since i bought into it.
Sunoco hasn't done as well, but still outpaced every other sector by at least double.
Every time the gas prices go up a penny i make around $1500 on my stocks.

i can't wait til $4 a gallon, i'll be able to retire comfortably. BTW, I aint smart, just blind ass lucky enough to work in that industry at the time and see what was going on. Anyone who read my posts and followed suit has also done very well. I'm not sure but I personally don't think it's too late to enter the oil sector. Just a hunch, don't take my word for it

Am I bragging? maybe a little, but it isn't based on anything did that was special, I'm just so damned happy about it i need to tell somebody.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

You seem to be struggling with now vs. then.
I detailed what I have invested now. I also detailed what i had invested at ther beginning of 2006, namely nearly 50/50 in TSO and VLO. Did you real that thread I linked to a page or two back? It's in there.

At first I thought you were just curious, but now I'm getting the impression that you don't believe me. Don't go there. too many details to prove you wrong. juast because someone else can't invest doesn't mean I can't.

One more data point for your ammusement, this was a direct quote from www.914club.com sometime in 2005. It was a result of the gas prices starting to climb http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=36878&hl=valero&st=20

There are many other posts there and on this board if you want to search:

Yeah Sammy, I must have missed when you went from the 50/50 in TSO and VLO to the mutuals and then back in and then back out in 2006 to where you now are only 1/3 and 1/4 in them. But no matter.

I am curious about a couple things:

First you said that you expect to make at least 25% this year. Since nearly 1/2 of your portfolio is in VG funds...is Vanguard expecting the same terrific results as you for their 2008 funds?

Second, you mentioned that in the not so distant past your stocks have went up 6 or 7 fold and some have even "doubled" about 6 (SIX) times. Gosh, doubling 6 times turns $100K into $6 million. And you did not mention any bad years. This started in 1998. Now if you only had $500K or even $200K back in 1998 (and you NEVER take any out) you must have a mountain of a pile of cash in that account. And good for you. I got lucky sometimes also. Mostly in 1999.

But my question is in relation to what you said about still "working" and being pretty far "down the food chain" at either TSO or VLO: why on God's good earth are you still working???

Per your self description you are not at CEO level or even fly-business-class level so that 45% you made last year surely must equal about 10 years of your salary.

Of course you could be one of those guys who simply loves "working" or perhaps you are immensely jealous of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. But even if that's true you would certainly have a better chance of reaching Billy G and Warrren B by picking stocks. Hell, just imagine what that 45% last year would have been if you were not wasting your time "working" at a plebian job "far down the the food chain" and instead were devoting your full attention to your portfolio.

[sammyg2]

You are bound and determined to try and twist my words around, aren't you? Sour grapes and pettiness it all it is. The gloves are off and i'm through trying to help you, you poor little man. Many times over the past several years I posted how well I was doing with these stocks. I was onto something and told others in case they wanted to try their hand at them. I started posting in this thread to help but that was wasted on the likes of people like you. I hope it helped others but you sir can go pack sand for all I care.
If you can't invest your way out of a paper bag that's no reason to be petty and jealous of those who have had better luck.

VLO is up twelve-fold since I got into it. I had just about everything in UDS way back when (around 1999 or so), when it was trading at around $22 or $23. It turned into VLO (one for one), a couple of years later it went through the roof, you do the math and cry yourself to sleep on your little pillow.
I got into TSO soon after when it was still low and played it seasonally until it also went through the roof in early 2007. You hate that, don't you?

I'm done with you, I'd wish you well but that would be a lie.

[Moneyguy1]

I made a little bit but I am not obsessed with precise numbers. I have a higher total amount of assets than I did a year ago.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

You are bound and determined to try and twist my words around, aren't you? Sour grapes and pettiness it all it is. The gloves are off and i'm through trying to help you, you poor little man. Many times over the past several years I posted how well I was doing with these stocks. I was onto something and told others in case they wanted to try their hand at them. I started posting in this thread to help but that was wasted on the likes of people like you. I hope it helped others but you sir can go pack sand for all I care.
If you can't invest your way out of a paper bag that's no reason to be petty and jealous of those who have had better luck.

VLO is up twelve-fold since I got into it. I had just about everything in UDS way back when (around 1999 or so), when it was trading at around $22 or $23. It turned into VLO (one for one), a couple of years later it went through the roof, you do the math and cry yourself to sleep on your little pillow.
I got into TSO soon after when it was still low and played it seasonally until it also went through the roof in early 2007. You hate that, don't you?

I'm done with you, I'd wish you well but that would be a lie.

Why do you get so indignant when I ask some very reasonable and not diffiuclt questions? Me thinks that speaks volumes.

But good luck with your TSO, VLO, and the 3 VG mutuals this year and your 25% expectations of said 5 positions.

And you should reconsider your "working" when you don't need to.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by Moneyguy1

I made a little bit but I am not obsessed with precise numbers. I have a higher total amount of assets than I did a year ago.

Yeah Bob, the older one becomes the easier it is to see what's truly important. I've had some great years, some fair years, and some bad years since retiring in early 1997.

The good news is that I've never had to sell any of my 911's, never missed a meal, and never got up in the morning and thought..."Gee, I wish that I had to go to work today."

You wrote very little but said far more than most of the posts. I think.

Take care.

[Moneyguy1]

Sometimes we all forget what is really important.

I dealt with $$$ all my life. Time to enjoy what I have and not regret what I do not!!

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by WI wide body

...Per your recommendation in this post: Yes, we all use "stop loss" for individual stocks, but how exactly do you execute a "tight stop loss" in your Federal Employee Thrift Saving Plan I Fund (a TSP) since that is seldom an option?...

Your question just shows your ignorance. How would you possibly execute a stop loss on an index fund comprised of many stocks? Obviously if I am unhappy with the share price, I can always move the balance to another fund by the folllowing day.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

...I'm done with you, I'd wish you well but that would be a lie.

Agreed. You are wasting your time trying to explain even simple concepts to the intellectually inferior. No more feeding the troll in this thread for me either.

Funny how early in this thread he found a 17.54% return amazing...but now tells us he had gains over 91% in a year. LOL

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Your question just shows your ignorance. How would you possibly execute a stop loss on an index fund comprised of many stocks? Obviously if I am unhappy with the share price, I can always move the balance to another fund by the folllowing day.

Yes genius, that's exactly why I asked why you were putting out that (rather elementary) bit of advice when you do not trade stocks. Go figure.

[Mo_Gearhead]

These (financial) threads (how much money do you have, how did you make it, prove it, liar!...etc.) reminds me of visiting the ape house at the zoo. Lots of chest beating, posturing, noise, baring of teeth ...grunts.

Everyone move along ...nothing more to see here.

[HardDrive]

I dumped most of my stock this past fall, but this is what I have left. I do have a tiny bit of WFMI in an IRA that I lost about 8% on because I bought it in August07. Very hard to calculate an overall gain/loss, because we have diverse investment set. Wild guess would be 12-14% gain on the year

The remaining stocks have done pretty well!

[WI wide body]

I do have one rather sad story (for me) per the stock market results of 2007.

I worked for Owens-Illinois for over 38 years and then did short assignments for them after I retired. No complaints...they treated me great.

Naturally, when I took the lump sum at early retirement all the "smart" guys said to get rid of most of my OI stock since it was waaay too large of a percentage of my retirement portfolio from which I would immediately be withdrawing funds.

Now check the top stock performers of 2007.