Strong US Performance Boosted Portfolio’s 1H Return to 5%. Record 1H Dividends.

This quarter was a resounding success! Both the US and Singapore portfolios delivered positive returns, pushing the overall portfolio’s year to date return to 5.0%.

Leading the charge was the US portfolio, continuing its stellar run with a return exceeding 20% and surpassing the S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: SPY). The Singapore portfolio, while benefiting from its steady dividends, still lagged behind the SPDR Straits Times Index ETF (SGX: ES3).

Record 1H Dividends

My dividend portfolio is thriving! Dividend is up 18% over 2023, and nearly 70% since the inception of this portfolio!

This is the beauty of dividend investing: I benefit from the companies’ success through their steady dividend payments, regardless of short-term stock price fluctuations. As long as the businesses are fundamentally sound, I can expect a reliable income stream that may even grow over time.

The Chiongsters

A chiongster is a person who aims to be the best at whatever they do. They always ‘chiong’ (speed/rush) to the finishing line, beating all their competitors to a pulp.
– Urban Dictionary

Fuelled by the US bull run and the AI frenzy, US tech stocks are dominating the percentage gain charts! But don’t count out Singapore banks just yet. Their steady dividends helped them secure spots in the top 5 for absolute values, with United Overseas Bank Ltd (SGX: UOB) reaching number 6. This highlights the importance of a well-diversified portfolio for long-term success.

The Laggards

“A laggard is a stock or security that is underperforming relative to its benchmark or peers. A laggard will have lower-than-average returns compared to the market.“
– Investopedia

While Mapletree REITs occupy the bottom 5 performers list, I believe the market is overreacting. Their performance has been commendable considering the challenging environment. This negative sentiment could be a buying opportunity for long-term investors, like myself who have recently added them to my portfolio.

On the other hand, companies like iFAST Corporation Limited (SGX: AIY) and Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), despite strong recent results, face short-term volatility due to their high valuations. Continued positive performance could propel them back up the charts by year-end.

Finally, AEM Holdings (SGX: AWX) and Micro-Mechanics (Holdings) Ltd (SGX: 5DD) remain stuck in the the semiconductor down cycle. Their outlook might be brighter from next year.

Coming Up

With earnings season just around the corner, I’m optimistic to receive positive reports from most of my holdings. Additionally, I’m looking forward to attend the upcoming Annual General Meetings of the Mapletree REITs and The Hour Glass (SGX: AGX), which will provide valuable insights into their strategies and future outlook.