This page is designed to share the knowledge I've gained over the years that has given me a competitive advantage in the stock market. Interestingly, I don’t have a degree in finance. My background is in agriculture—I hold a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and have taken master's units in Agricultural Economics, which gave me a solid understanding of the time value of money. Additionally, my lo
ve for mathematics made the learning curve in stock investing less steep. My journey began in 2013 as a forex and commodities trader while living in New Zealand. The appeal of working from home and trading full-time drew me in. I studied tirelessly, learning to read charts and understand technical indicators like candlestick formations, moving averages, MACD, stochastics, Ichimoku Cloud, and Fibonacci. I took online courses, purchased books, and dedicated countless hours to mastering these tools. Yet despite all my efforts, I consistently lost money. Everything changed in 2017 when I stumbled upon a used copy of Peter Lynch’s One Up on Wall Street at Savers in one of Melbourne, Australia’s used books store. It reignited my interest, but this time, in stock investing. I realized that while the potential rewards of stock investing might be smaller compared to forex trading, the risks were also far more manageable. In my spare time, I devoured resources on stock investing, from online articles to YouTube videos. It was during this period that I decided to shift from being a trader to an investor, focusing more on long-term value than short-term gains. By the end of 2017, I had developed my own investment strategy, blending both fundamental and technical analysis. I use fundamental analysis to identify high-quality companies, and technical analysis to time my entry points—and occasionally, my exit points. I describe by strategy as “segurista” because I have several layers of criteria before I buy any stocks to ensure a high success rate. I began investing in stocks through my superannuation (retirement) fund here in Australia. In March 2019, I decided to branch out and start investing outside of superannuation. My family and I pooled together small amounts of funds monthly into a brokerage account, which allowed us to build a solid investment portfolio. However, between 2022 and 2023, we sold off most of our stocks to invest in property. Now that all our children are adults, we’ve set up individual brokerage accounts. Below is a snapshot of the family portfolios I manage, with figures as of October 5, 2024:
• Portfolio 1: The oldest account (2.52 years) with a 68.61% return since inception (includes dividends) and a 34.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). stocks, and 2 Australian exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• Portfolio 2: A 1.44-year-old account with a 12.28% return since inception (includes dividends) and a 17.87% CAGR. The owner is more conservative and prefers ETFs over individual stocks. This portfolio is solely invested in 2 Australian ETFs, tracking the NASDAQ 100 and the top 200 companies worldwide.
• Portfolio 3: An 8-month-old account with a 4.45% return since inception and a 9.56% CAGR. It consists of 4 U.S. stocks and 2 Australian ETFs.
• Portfolio 4: The youngest account, only 3 months old, with a 3.18% return since inception (including dividends) and a 19.00% CAGR. Though it was negative last week, it has since recovered. Given its age, the portfolio’s performance can fluctuate significantly, but it should stabilize after a year. In addition to my stock investing experience, earlier this year (2024) I completed the Registered Financial Planner Program conducted by the Registered Financial Planners Philippines. This course equipped me with valuable tools to help clients plan for retirement, using various investment vehicles to achieve their financial goals. Stock investing can be a powerful tool for building wealth when done correctly. However, it requires time, patience, and the right mindset. You also need a strategy that delivers above-average returns while minimizing risks. A Few Important Notes:
While I’m happy to share my experiences, please remember that every investment journey is unique. What worked for me may not work for you, and our results will vary. I’m not a financial advisor, accountant, or attorney, and the content on this page should not be interpreted as financial advice. I highly encourage you to seek personalized guidance from a professional who understands your financial situation. Respectful Interaction is Key:
This space is for constructive dialogue. Please be respectful of others’ views, and let's keep this platform a place for learning and positive interaction. Disclaimer:
The information shared on this page is for educational purposes only. This is not a space for get-rich-quick schemes, MLMs, or any form of financial shortcuts. Always conduct your own research and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions. Thank you for being here, and I look forward to learning alongside you!