I have just purchased the insurer Beazley. It has an undemanding P/E, good dividend and looks to be a boring type share. I just missed the recent dividend payment, but that may be why the price dropped back recently. Boring share for boring people.
Another one that has been doing ok for me recently is HVN Harvey Nash, the recruiter. In its favour, I have noticed more jobs on the internet job sites. Even I am being courted by agencies. Also, many of my acquaintances who were out of work last year are not, and the word in my circles is that things are improving. Indeed, I hear that some financial organisations who sucked the taxpayer dry are firmly over the minor setback of the credit crunch. Anyway, HVN has a low PE, no debt and pays dividends, so it seems to meet favourable buying criteria.
Investing wise, I don’t think my performance has been that good last year, as I have been buying shares without writing down my reasons, straying from fundamental investing, sometimes buying based on momentum yada yada. Consequently, I think I have missed out on some really good investments, and I haven’t devoted my time to research like I used to. Busy at work excuse again and again.
In the spirit of disclosing my mistakes, I must admit I had a position in Alterian, and got sucked up by the ‘great new world’ story. I even ignored large director sells. What a pillock I am.
SIPP back at £15,100 – not good considering the market – I am going to give myself a good whipping.
