Our portfolio updates for the week ending on September 21, 2024 are as follows.
Summary:
- Reinvested QRTEP Dividends
- Sold All of CME
- Bought CenturyLink Bonds
- Increased Our BulletShares
- IEP Good News
- MPW Good News
Reinvested QRTEP Dividends
QRTEP paid us our quarterly dividend in cash and we used the proceeds to add to our TRMD position in the retirement portfolio.
Since QRTEP was below my $45 buy-up-to point we reinvested the QRTEP dividends in the Van Life Portfolio and received 6 additional shares taking our share count from 122 to 128.6.
That doesn’t seem like a lot, but with QRTEP, 6 shares is $48 more in dividends each year.
We’ve held QRTEP since 11/2022 and over the course of time we’ve increased our share count from 92 to 128. That equates to an additional $288 a year in divies.
AHHH the power of compounding.
>> Learn why compounding is the eighth wonder of the world <<
Sold CME
In the retirement portfolio, we exited our CME position, because we’ve only gained 0.25 shares with two dividend payouts and this money can be used better elsewhere.
We did get a saucy little 6% gain for the almost 5 months we held CME.
With CME’s proceeds, we’ve picked up 2 CenturyLink bonds for $661.54 per bond. Remember…
Bonds are sold for $1,000 at par value
This bond is at a steep discount, and at a discount for a reason. Yes, it’s a bit risky with only a C rating (junk bond status 😅), but worth it in my opinion.
>> What Exactly Is A Junk Bond? <<
BulletShares are a great place to hold idle cash
>> How To Choose The Right BulletShares Fund <<
IEP Good News
We didn’t buy or sell anything here, but IEP had a good week. A court case stemming from the short seller report of nefarious activities at IEP was thrown out with prejudice.
The SEC and now the federal courts have found nothing wrong with IEP’s accounting and investing strategies.
Read more details at Yahoo Finance or in Icahn’s Full News Release
Here’s hoping you bought the dip because things could get juicy with IEP in the next 6-12 months.
We’ve held throughout the roller-coaster ride and reinvested the dividends. That’s why we have an absurd amount of shares now.
If this news (coupled with what Carl Icahn is stating that’s contrary to the media; IEP is not issuing additional shares) does what I expect it to do, we’ll have to make a decision about selling in the near future.
An increased price will push our position size vastly above my 5-6% portfolio limit, which is risky. We’ll keep you updated.
MPW Good News
We didn’t buy or sell anything here either, but MPW also had a good news to report.
MPW reached a deal with it’s largest tenant Steward (which declared bankruptcy) where MPW can transfer ownership of the real estate currently rented by Steward to other tenants.
>> Read More About MPW and Steward’s Deal <<
That means the balance sheet will look much much better going forward.
Share prices of MPW could, and should, double and maybe triple over the next few months. I fully expect a couple of dividend hikes too as MPW only yields 5% currently.
Here’s hoping you held and bought the dip.
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