Portfolio Transactions (October 2020)

Updates for my Portfolio for October 2020

Work has been really stressful and tiring recently, I even have some issues sleeping and eating well as a result. Doesn't help I am on night shift.

But glad that the stock markets are providing buying opportunities to grab some companies at a decent price, hopefully it helps me in getting closer to FIRE once the global economy recovers. Have to keep maintaining the savings rate.

ANT Financial begins trading on Thursday, might be worth looking at. Ping An's Lufax didn't do well though.

• Buy Mastercard at 300
• Reasons 
• Mastercard fell to a reasonably attractive valuation on poor results.
• Been trying to get into some payment processors to take advantage of the increased in eCommerce and shift towards epayments.
• That being said, I was queuing at 285, then switched to 300 (which was around a support region) to take advantage of the plunge. But now it is almost 285. FML
• I actually switched from Axos Financial to this counter.
  
• 
• Sell AX Calls at 0.77
• Reasons 
• Been selling in-the-money (ITM) calls to squeeze out some premium as I have been trying to sell the shares.
• Finally triggered.
  
• Axos Financial Call Exercise at 25
• Reasons
• Trimming away a weaker position to raise cash and switch to better counters (Mastercard).
• The company has been having greater and greater competition in the retail banking service, plus with interest rates reduction, the margins are getting compressed.
• The company has also increased focus on property loans where prices are skyrocketing. Even though, their metrics to qualify takers of the loan to be sound. I am quite uncomfortable with it considering the current pandemic situation.
• Growth is rather limited as well.
  
• Sell PSQ Calls at 0.05 and 0.17
  
• Reasons
• Just selling a Call for some pocket money, I am still wonder should I just take the 50% loss on my PSQ position though.
  

That's all for my money for now.

The US market are having a correction pending the election. The Singapore market is red too. Hopefully more value arise that I can take advantage of. Let's hope the ANT Financial first day of trading provides some nice prices to grab some.

On a side note, there's more and more drama with Eagle Hospitality Trust with MAS ousting the manager.

I also just realised that the scrip dividends from Lion Rock Group, Leftfield Printing trades in 3000 shares but the amount I have is slightly above 3000. That sucks man. I guess it will end up like First REIT in my portfolio and just leave it to collect dust. Maybe just wait for the market to recover and see if I can let it go at a better price.

Conclusion

I am trying to accumulate better quality companies as this pandemic drags on.

My portfolio YTD is now down ~1%, with the long term XIRR now zero.

My cash position is currently at about 15%. Probably keep an eye out for opportunities while conserving cash (there's still a balance transfer the size of about 10% of my portfolio ready).

Related Posts:

• Portfolio Transactions Update (September 2020)
  
• Portfolio Transactions Update (August 2020)
  
• Portfolio Transactions Update (July 2020)
  
• Portfolio Transactions Update (June 2020)
  
• Portfolio Transactions Update (May 2020)