Each month I update the Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP). The table below reconciles the PCP from beginning of period to end of period for August 2009, Year-To-Date (2009) and Life-To-Date. The Portfolio Returns line provides the calculated return for the three displayed periods.| Description | August-2009 | Year-To-Date | Life-To-Date |
| Beg. Portfolio Value | 8,449.83 | 3,395.62 | - |
| Online Cash Receipts | 1,089.83 | 5,789.61 | 9,337.95 |
| Online Expenses | - | (30.00) | (116.23) |
| Gross Profit | 1,089.83 | 5,759.61 | 9,221.72 |
| Dividends | 13.58 | 101.9 | 127.06 |
| Interest Income | 1.13 | 8.38 | 14.53 |
| Subtotal | 1,104.54 | 5,869.89 | 9,363.31 |
| Gain/(Loss) | 54.71 | 343.57 | 245.77 |
| Ending Portfolio Value | 9,609.08 | 9,609.08 | 9,609.08 |
| Portfolio Returns | 0.70% | 9.84% | 8.74% |
The portfolio continued to do well in the month of August generating positive returns. Online earnings in August surpassed the $1,000 mark for the first time. A large portion of the increase related to continued strong interest in D4L-Premium Services.
During the month of August, I purchased 28 shares of Genuine Parts Co. (GPC). This will provide me $44.80 in annual earnings at the current dividend rate. Including GPC, my annual PCP dividend income is now $360.46 at the current dividend rates. I ended the month with $1,042.42 in cash, enough to purchase my ninth PCP stock in September. It is my goal to have sufficient earnings to purchase a stock at least eight times a year. Through August I have purchased six stocks this year, including four in consecutive months since May 2009.
My PCP holdings are always available by selecting the Holdings option from the menu in the header. The next PCP update will be mid-October.
(Photo: sanja gjenero)
