Portfolio
Most of the time "portfiolio" on personal sites (especially for developers) means a list of links to or explainations of projects I've worked on and site's I've built. But since I'm not looking for a job (I've already got three companies to run thanks!) and since this blog is largely my ramblings about investing.... my portfolio here is for full disclosure on what individual stocks I own and why...
Microsoft (MSFT)
Ironically, this is the stock that I have been most hammered on, but the one I feel most comfortable with long term. I was a buyer starting at around $23 and have continued to add to my position as the stock price has erroded. I last bought at $19.75 and it even touched the $18s for a few days. I'd gladly keep adding at this point if I didn't already feel so heavy in this one. Definitely a buy at anything under $23.
Pfizer (PFE)
Good pharma company, nice dividend at about 8%. I got in at $16.25 after watching it for a while and waiting for it to get down there.
Royal Carribean (RCL)
Probably my riskiest pick. I probably would not be a buyer again at this point. They slashed their hefty dividend after I bought it. Still I think this is definitely one that could pay off in the 3-5 year term. I think it could double from the $12 price I bought at. After crashing well below $10 after they slashed the dividend it is around the same price I bought it at now, so I don't feel too bad.
Wendy's-Arby's Group (WEN)
My only regret is not buying more! I really liked this company but made too meager of an investment here. It dropped to $2.80 at one point after the merger. It was really illogically low compared to its financials and its competitors. It has gone up 90% since I bought it at $3.00. It shot up to $4 and then went back down to under $3 for a short time before bouncing back... at this writing is approaching $5. I am praying that we have another free fall and I can pick it up again int he low $3s because I will definitley add a lot to my position.
Dr. Pepper-Snapple (DPS)
I watched this thing around $22 and wanted it and vowed to buy it when it went under $20. Then they had a bad quarter and it hit $18 and I decided I could wait al ittle longer. I had some patience and finally pulled the trigger around $13.75. That was its lowest day and it has popped back up significantly since to around $16 at writing. They make Dr. Pepper, Snapple, 7-Up, Canada Dry, Motts, Hawaiian Punch, Venom Energy Drink, Sunkist, and more.
General Electric (GE)
First bought this one a little early, but who knew it would go so low?? I added to the position around $16 after first buying around $20.75 and then added more at $13.25. Great dividend, which has been reassured for 2009, is reason enough to buy it. But the fact that, even given its exposure to financials, it is one of the largest, oldest, and most diversified companies in the world makes it a solid long term investment. So I plan to sit and enjoy the dividends for years and then eventually unload it once it is above $35 again. But hey maybe even then its worth holding (depending on how the company's doing) for another 20 years!
Diageo (DEO)
Love this company! The largest spirits company in the world making Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Guiness, Johnny Walker, and many other top brands. They have great management and growth. They are based in London and have expanding sales worldwide, especially in Latin America. Big international play. Hell of a buy anywhere under $60. I have added to my position as it saw low $50s in November.
EZ Corp (EZPW)
Bought the first trading day of 2009. It promptly went up 12% and then crashed down 15% a few days later! They are expanding by buying new chains (such as one in Florida, ValuePawn) and it seems like a good business to be in a hurting economy--lots of people pawn stuff! I also hear it's somewhat of a gold play because they melt so much of thag gold down, but that doesn't weigh in to why I own it. I'll probably look to unload it on any major strength. Not long this stock.
BP Oil (BP)
Bought at $41.86 when yielding just over 8%. This is a great company, stable, and historic. They of course have been beaten up as oil prices have fallen, but oil demand is not going anywhere for a while. Plus they have established positions in alternative energy so are also a play on the future energy sources.