$9,685 (Q3 2008) Peformance Update

It has been one rough ride with weakness across the board. The two most punishing stocks to the portfolio have been Research in Motion (RIMM) and my once high flier Southern Copper (PCU). The company currently demonstarting relative strength is TurkCell (TKC) of all companies.

All sights seem to be on the vote for the bailout bill. Less attention is being paid to some of the basic economic factors. Jobless claims are at a 7 year high, and the ISM Manufacturing index which reports overall manufactuing activity within the US came in at 43.5 (anything below 50 is a contraction).

Performance to date:

Taking the approach of easing-in, trying to pick those well managed companies seems to have limited the damage. Compared against the S&P500 the portfolio is fairing better:

Back to work...