Artful Investing

First portfolio review of 2005. For the first time in the history of the blog all four of my holdings have increased in value over the month. Dana Petroleum and Chaucer have shown huge rises. Since the start of the year, Dana has risen from 417.5p to 491p and Chaucer from 48p to 52p. Shares in Chaucer were at one point this week selling for as much as 55p, above my highest purchase price of 54.75p.

The amount of money 'earned' this month has been the largest monthly gain I've ever enjoyed, over £1,500 and more than I've ever earned in full-time employment. Let's see if I how much of it I can go on to lose in February.

Though the gains this month have been fantastic, it's ironic that I've managed more than half of the gain I enjoyed in 2004 in the space of one month of 2005. If the excitement level of 2004 was at the level of a five-year coma, this month's events must be a night on the tiles with Oliver Reed. Make no mistake however, this month's gains are exceptional, don't expect a repeat performance in every other month this year.

My original purchase price is displayed along with the most recent price in the market in brackets.

Portfolio standing at 31/12/04:

Ben Bailey, 20/02/03 at 178p (422p)
Ben Bailey, 21/06/04 at 390p (422p)
Chaucer Holdings, 06/10/03 at 42.88p (48p)
Chaucer Holdings, 06/04/2004 at 54.75p (48p)
Dana Petroleum, 20/11/03 at 223.75p (417.5p)
Mayborn Group, 15/03/04 at 282p (258p)
+ cash holdings

Porfolio at 29/01/05:

Ben Bailey, 20/02/03 at 178p (423p)
Ben Bailey, 21/06/04 at 390p (423p)
Chaucer Holdings, 06/10/03 at 42.88p (52p)
Chaucer Holdings, 06/04/2004 at 54.75p (52p)
Dana Petroleum, 20/11/03 at 223.75p (491p)
Mayborn Group, 15/03/04 at 282p (260p)
+ cash holdings


Return for the year to date: +7%

Here's to February!

The Artful Dodger