Dan's portfolio

[earthtodan]

Here's my introduction by way of my portfolio. I'll try to keep it brief while I describe my target allocations, strategy, and some lesser known stocks, in no particular order.

First, I have all my positions assigned to one of four categories, by yield:
- High Yield (over 5% yield).
- Balanced (2% - 5% yield). This includes the blue chip dividend growers.
- Growth (0% - 2% yield). This can include fast dividend growers, or non-dividend paying stocks as long as they have fast earnings growth.
- Speculative. This is my play money.

Here is my target allocation by category, according to my spreadsheet (not including cash).


Next, I don't use DRIPs. Instead I use MerrillEdge with Platinum Privileges, which gives me 30 free trades per month, so I can redirect dividends anywhere I want. I can make small purchases to add on dips, and I don't have to worry about commissions.

Finally, I don't own any businesses I find objectionable. PM, MO, KO, PEP, MCD, WMT, MON, are out. I can't decide whether socially conscious investing actually matters, and I'm leaning toward that it doesn't, but regardless, I can still build a successful portfolio out of businesses I feel good or neutral about.

Here's the list of my target allocations. At 35 positions it's kind of long, and it could be a lot of work to keep tabs on all of them, but then again, I don't feel like I need to sign up for email updates on a blue chip company like 3M.



Total weighted yield = 3.72%

I'm 32 and I figure I have 3+ decades until I start taking dividends.

Dan