Monday, December 29, 2008

Painful 2008, and a rude awakening/answer

Well, it's been a painful 2008. I have seen my portfolio dwindle to less than one-third YTD. 

I have stopped blogging for a few months, partly because of the losses, and partly because I am lazy. and busy 

2008 also offers a rude awakening and an answer to my hypothetical question I have often posed to myself. Is my 2007 returns due to skill or luck? 2008 answers "luck". And so, I am the fool. Hopefully, I will emerge smarter.

While I am still surviving and suffering investing pain, I am still investing. In equities. 

Probably I have this belief. 2009 will be a better year for equities. If not, 2010. 

And yes, my portfolio. I have sold Cacalo, C&G and Valutronics. Buys are China Ziano and China Fish ,which may be higher quality businesses than what I have sold. Presently, I am looking to buy a REIT, given the interesting high yield. 

Finally, I have recently read a brillant book. It is "Outliers" by Malcolm Galdwell.

Lowering Risk of Bad Outcomes

As one's net worth gets larger, lowering the risk of bad outcomes becomes more relevant and important. For example, if you have retired ...