Apologies for the lack of updates. No real excuse - just giving priority to other matters like getting my novel "finished" and sent a professional copy editor.
January was a terrible start to the year with the portfolio down by 5.84%. February saw a small recovery of 0.35% and March a much stronger 5.11% increase. For the year to date, I am down 0.4%, which is less than difference between expenses and my part time income.
Here are the details:
1. my Hong Kong/China equity portfolio is still below where it was at the beginning of the year. I have added shares in HSBC (HK:5), Swire Pacific (HK:19) and Rosedale Hotels (HK:1189) and sold my shares in Herald Holdings (HK:114);
2. my AU/NZ equities appreciated. I purchased additional shares in Fletcher Building (NZX: FBU);
3.my equity ETFs fell slightly (India, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China) in line with the local markets. I sold my interests in the Vietnam ETF at a loss;
4. my commodities are about flat for the year. Silver is my only position;
5. all tenants are paying on time. We are back to full occupancy with one tenant agreeing to a small increase in rent for a new lease. The US rate rise has had no impact on Hong Kong mortgage rates;
6. the NZD and the AUD are currently flat against the HKD/USD;
7. my position in bonds remains small;
8. expenses were moderate for the first three months of the year. I expect expenses to be higher with high travel expenses in July and December and, possibly, some tuition fees starting later in the year;
9.there were no transfers to Mrs Traineeinvestor.
My cash position improved slightly due to low expenses. I currently hold 35.0 months of expenses in HKD cash or equivalents.
