Sensei Michael Investments

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$68,151.90 Cash: US$364.85 Total: US$68,516.75 The portfolio here was started weak on ballast, and it really shows its weakness. Not only that, but I happened to be exposed to a bank. If not for the system I am using, the portfolio would have been torn to shreds. As it is, it dropped less than the market from its heights. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$66,748.00 Cash: US$8,027.20 Total: US$74,775.20 The increased ballast in this portfolio (which is actually a test portfolio - since it uses only QQQ as the sole counter) really showed itself. While ballasts weigh down a ship, it gives it stability while ploughing through the oceans.

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$74,112.40 Cash: US$364.85 Total: US$74,477.25 The system I use signalled further buys, but I have run out of ballast. The portfolio took a pounding, but the use of the ballast system has meant it weathered the storm better than if I had a mandate to be fully in stocks at all times. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$59,950.00 Cash: US$8,026.20 Total: US$67,976.20 Using my ballast, I mopped up another 450 shares, giving me a grand total of 2200 shares, a full 139% more shares than I began with. Buy when the market is fearful, indeed.

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$80,696.70 Cash: US$364.85 Total: US$81,061.55 The system I use signalled further buys, but I have run out of ballast. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$57,977.50 Cash: US$20,303.15 Total: US$78,280.65 I mopped up more QQQQ, even though it has risen compared to the last month. I still have plenty of ballast in this one to buy shares on the cheap.

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$77,621.98 Cash: US$364.85 Total: US$77,986.83 I have added to the portfolio an additional company, an FMCG company with a strong brand name, with the last of my ballast (cash reserve). It is interesting how the cash reserves enable me to buy in as the market continued to tank, acting as the stabiliser that it was meant to be. It is very unfortunate though, that I have run out of ballast. Could I have predicted this and set aside a larger amount of ballast? No - predictions are for prophets and market lizards, and I am not the former, nor do I want to be the latter. The system simply gave me the ability to buy when the general fund manager, mandated to be fully-invested with little spare cash, has to follow the lowering tide. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$52,204.20 Cash: US$22,964.30 Total: US$75,168.50 This portfolio was meant to be used to show how the system (I do not take credit for it - it was developed by a fine gentleman, now deceased, and I happened to be hi...

Sir John Templeton passed away on 8 July 2008 at the age of 95. Another legend has left our world, but his ideas for investing will not be forgotten. From the article " Eight Lessons From Sir Templeton " by Mr John Christy at Forbes: All investing is global . Always take a contrarian approach ... ... But make sure the fundamentals are intact . Let valuation be your guide . Don't be afraid of big bets . Don't rush into positions . Get away from the crowd. Don't worry about the direction of the market. The advice he gave still holds in today's volatile markets, and is something I will remember as I continue my journey towards my return to fund management.

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$73,675.00 Cash: US$24,193.95 Total: US$97,868.95 My stock section of the portfolio continue to slide, due to a financial company that I have invested in. The system decided to mop up another USD1300 of shares, which I placed in the financial company. It has good fundamentals and a strong brand name and I believe should be able to ride the storm. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$46,109.00 Cash: US$47,384.90 Total: US$93,493.90 Week 12 sees further weaknesses. It takes stomach of steel to buy when things are dropping, but that's the difference between a committed professional and an amateur.

Boring Portfolio Stock: US$72,783.00 Cash: US$25,649.90 Total: US$98,432.90 The market moved enough south for the system to finally trigger a buy...of about US$1600 worth of shares. I purchased an additional 50 shares of a bank. The commission of US$9.95 is still bearable. I treat it as transportation costs in a traditional FMCG business. QQQ Portfolio Stock: US$45,496.00 Cash: US$49,286.85 Total: US94782.85 The system triggered a buy of about US$1000 worth of shares. I purchased an additional 20 shares. It would be interesting to see how the two portfolios compare over the years. This portfolio has only been around about 11 weeks.