As an aside, I currently do not own any of the stocks mentioned in this article, I merely dabble with portfolios for fun, because, really I’m having a hard enough time getting my wife to let me take our precious skimpy savings and invest it. If I listed a company, I provided their ticker symbol also in case you want to do your own research before purchasing a stock.
My Geekpolio as I named it, is in absolute shambles.
On October 23rd of 2008, I started what I deemed a Geekpolio, a stock portfolio chock full of geek tech and goods from different areas, with Seven thousand dollars of “seed money” buying only 10 shares in each stock. I thought that it would be impregnable, people HAVE to buy these products, at the least GEEKS would have to keep these products and keep the companies looking good right? I was wrong.
Apple (APPL): Down 16.77% since the purchase with the starting money, this was a bust, I thought maybe the ipod/phones and Macs emergence as gaining market share over PCs might keep up on a positive run wasn’t what I’d had hoped for. Though, I would only cling onto it, because honestly, it’s a friggin CHEAP buy compared to highs, which would be double or triple of what it is currently.
Activision Blizzard (ATVI): Until a year or so ago, these were two separate before they merged. I bought the 10 shares thinking that World of Warcraft, and its huge and still growing subscriber base would funnel into a win in the stock market. Sadly, the hawks that watch the market are still skeptical of these companies, even though Blizzard products shatter all lives when they are released onto the shelves. What kind of loss am I sitting at here? 24%, someone needs to gank these stock noobs who don’t bring up the share price. Currently, at under 10 bucks, I still consider this a buy for when the economy gets better.
Diageo ADR Reptg 4 Ord Shs (DEO): What the hell is this you ask? Liquor, straight up. This is one of the biggest seller of liquor, spirits, whatever you can think of in the world. Geeks gotta drink too, we’re not like those nerds who just sit over math problems for fun. Alcoholics around the world disappoint me, this is stinking up to a 11.48% loss.
Google (GOOG): If you don’t know google, you are a sad panda. This is down 12% since 10/23/08 when I bought it, but, its still about ¼ of what it used to be, if it goes back to those number, CA-CHING!
Microsoft (MSFT): The same from Google, applies to Microsoft, shoot yourself in the gut if you don’t know these guys. Down 15% since the first buy, this is obviously a long term investment stock.
Marvel (MVL): X-men, Spiderman, Iron Man, The Hulk? All failed to stop the might super-villain, Portfolio Crushing Man, from crushing the stock since I bought it, though it has a 10 of 10 Scouter rating (meaning a very, very good buy) its still getting hammered in this violate and panicky market, though, at least our super heroes kept it from being really bad. This is down 6%
PepsiCo (PEP): Geeks drink soda all the time, some LIVE off the stuff, also, Pepsico makes Doritos! You would think this is recession proof! I thought we were all grossly fat and obsessive about our snack foods! Down 5%, eat more chips and drink more Pepsi you lazy bastards!
Papa Johns Pizza International (PZZA): I lived off this crap during college, having a friend that worked there, and a coupon that never seemed to expire, or leave my wallet, gave me cheap food for a couple of years. Geeks live off pizza, Italy weeps saucy tears, down 13%.
Research in Motion (RIMM): OH GOD YES! They don’t call them ‘Crackberrys’ for nothing, and Obama declared they have to pry his from his hands when he becomes president. Stock is UP (yes, one is doing good) since I bought it, to the tune of 8.01% why did I include the .01? Anything that makes this horrible portfolio look better is good in my book. This company is pretty solid, and I think won a couple of patent lawsuits, which is REALLY good for my stock.
Sony Rep 1 Ord Shs ADR (SNE): Actually, you can’t buy the ‘real’ Sony stock, they are traded in Japan, but, in the sates, you get to buy what I call partial stocks. Basically, you are buying a percentage of what the actual stocks are in Japan on each share, but at least you’re getting SOME exposure into the company. This is the only other stock that is up in my Geekfolio, 6.5% to be exact, its nice to have a couple of winners in a sea of losers.
Overall, the whole portfolio is down some 11.35%, which if you look at how horrible things have been in the stock market lately, is actually good. I consider these all long-term stocks, something you buy, and hold onto for 5 or 10 years before you sell. They are all extremely cheap right now, and if you have guts, and can learn to buy and turn away, maybe check them every couple of months, you’ll come out a winner.
Me, I’m still trying to get my wife to keep my guts from spilling out as I’m screaming about jumping into the market against her judgements.
I welcome any suggestions of companies you might think should fit into the Geekfolio, since it’s not my actual money going into it, I welcome the addition to my research. I actually like doing research on companies for possibly stock buying purposes. Far, far too much.