Stop market timing!

Best way to get good returns? Buy index funds and remain fully invested. Here’s what my portfolio looks like:

60% VTI – Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

30% VXUS – Vanguard International Stock ETF

10% BND – Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF

Today, I invested $1413.60 in Microsoft (MSFT). This amounts to 38 shares at $37.20 each. At a minimum, my 12-month forward passive income has increased by $42.56.

MSFT Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $1.12
– Entry Yield: 3.01%
– P/E at Purchase: 13.9
– Current Payout Ratio: 42%
– Dividend Raises Since: 2010

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 21.7%
2012: 15.0%
2011: 25.0%
2010: 23.1%
2009: 0.0%
2008: 18.2%
2007: 10.0%
2006: 11.1%
2005: 12.5%
2004: 0.0%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 28.11
2010: 30.95
2007: 29.86
2004: 27.45
2001: 21.69
1998: 16.39
1995: 3.76
1992: 2.38
1989: 0.37

Today, I invested $1145.28 in Healthcare Property Investors, Inc (HCP). This amounts to 32 shares at $35.79 each. At a minimum, my 12-month forward passive income has increased by $67.20.

HCP Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $2.10
– Entry Yield: 5.87%
– Forward P/FFO at Purchase: 11.9
– Current Payout Ratio: 70%
– Dividend Raises Since: 1986

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 5.0%
2012: 4.2%
2011: 3.2%
2010: 1.1%
2009: 1.1%
2008: 2.2%
2007: 4.7%
2006: 1.2%
2005: 0.6%
2004: 0.6%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 45.54
2010: 30.07
2007: 36.90
2004: 25.30
2001: 14.78
1998: 19.13
1995: 15.06
1992: 11.91
1989: 6.41

Christmas is right around the corner, and I’ve mostly finished buying gifts for my loved ones. But what better gift for myself than a solid investment in the future? Here are some stocks I’d like to buy before the end of this month. If the stocks don’t dip below these values in December, that’s okay — as long as I’m able to get them at good prices anytime in the next three months, I’ll be happy.

CVX – looking to buy under $112.00

HCP – looking to buy under $35.50

IBM – looking to buy under $172.00

GIS – looking to buy under $45.00

KRFT – looking to buy under $49.00

ARCP – looking to buy under $12.50

DE – looking to buy under $84.00

AAPL – looking to buy under $525.00

SO MANY CHOICES!

I’ve been wanting to buy shares of Target since June and I’m excited to say I’ve finally done it. All the indicators were pointing to a not-so-great Q2 earnings report, so I set aside some capital specifically for this morning in hope of a 5% dip. I got a 4% dip, which is good enough for me.

Today, I invested $1,528.80 in Target (TGT). This amounts to 24 shares at $63.70 each. At a minimum, my 12-month forward passive income has increased by $41.28.

Target Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $1.72
– Entry Yield: 2.70%
– P/E at Purchase: 15.3
– Trailing 2 Year Average P/E: 14.2
– Trailing 5 Year Average P/E: 14.1
– Trailing 10 Year Average P/E: 16.1
– All Time P/E: 17.7
– Current Payout Ratio: 35%
– Dividend Raises Since: 1968

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 19.4%
2012: 20.0%
2011: 20.0%
2010: 47.1%
2009: 6.3%
2008: 14.3%
2007: 16.7%
2006: 20.0%
2005: 25.0%
2004: 14.3%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 58.82
2010: 48.55
2007: 57.18
2004: 37.72
2001: 33.25
1998: 17.06
1995: 5.83
1992: 5.15
1989: 3.25
1986: 3.81

Today, I invested $1,273.05 in Exxon Mobil (XOM). This amounts to 15 shares at $84.87 each. My 12-month forward passive income has increased by $37.80.

Exxon Mobil is a shareholder-friendly company with excellent management. It’s a safe, solid, conservative stock. Currently it’s down over 10% from its 52-week high so there’s a great buying opportunity here!

Exxon Mobil Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $2.52
– Entry Yield: 2.97%
– P/E at Purchase: 10.8
– Trailing 2 Year Average P/E: 9.8
– Trailing 5 Year Average P/E: 11.1
– Trailing 10 Year Average P/E: 11.6
– All Time P/E: 14.9
– Current Payout Ratio: 31%
– Dividend Raises Since: 1983

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 10.5%
2012: 21.3%
2011: 6.8%
2010: 4.8%
2009: 5.0%
2008: 14.3%
2007: 9.4%
2006: 10.3%
2005: 7.4%
2004: 8.0%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 88.71
2010: 69.15
2007: 74.11
2004: 40.63
2001: 44.56
1998: 30.94
1995: 15.16
1992: 15.00
1989: 10.81
1986: 6.81

The deed is done. I’ve wet my feet in the land of REITs.

This morning, I invested $1,337.50 in Digital Realty Trust (DLR). This amounts to 25 shares at $53.50 each. At a minimum, my 12-month forward passive income has increased by $78.00.

There’s a good chance that the stock price might drop in the near future, due largely to fears around rising interest rates. But that’s okay, what matters is that I think this company is attractively valued at the moment.

Digital Realty Trust Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $3.12
– Entry Yield: 5.83%
– P/E at Purchase: 37.4
– Trailing 2 Year Average P/E: 47.9
– Trailing 5 Year Average P/E: 71.1
– Trailing 10 Year Average P/E: 124.1
– All Time P/E: —
– Current Payout Ratio: 140%
– Dividend Raises Since: 2005

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 6.8%
2012: 7.4%
2011: 28.3%
2010: 17.8%
2009: 36.4%
2008: 6.5%
2007: 8.3%
2006: 8.7%
2005: 55.9%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 68.76
2012: 66.35
2011: 52.11
2010: 50.15
2009: 31.38
2008: 38.50
2007: 34.57
2006: 22.75
2005: 13.59

This is my first blog post! To learn more about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it, click “About Me” at the top of the screen.

Today, I invested $771.12 in McDonalds (MCD). This amounts to 8 shares at $96.39 each. At a minimum, my 12-month forward passive income has increased by $25.92.

This is a very small purchase, however I plan to watch this stock closely and buy more in the future if there’s a significant dip of 10% or more. After all, the Golden Arches should be a core holding in anyone’s portfolio and yet I’m nowhere near a full position.

McDonalds’ economic moat is founded upon its strong branding and advantages in scale. It’s well-diversified geographically, with over 34,000 locations in around 120 countries.

McDonalds Stats:
– Current Annual Dividend: $3.24
– Entry Yield: 3.36%
– P/E at Purchase: 17.6
– Trailing 2 Year Average P/E: 17.6
– Trailing 5 Year Average P/E: 16.5
– Trailing 10 Year Average P/E: 18.5
– All Time P/E: 19.3
– Current Payout Ratio: 56%
– Dividend Raises Since: 1977

Recent Dividend Increases:
2013: 5.2%
2012: 10.0%
2011: 14.8%
2010: 10.9%
2009: 10.0%
2008: 33.3%
2007: 50.0%
2006: 49.3%
2005: 21.2%
2004: 37.5%

Price Snapshots:
2013: 90.12
2010: 62.78
2007: 43.87
2004: 24.79
2001: 32.94
1998: 23.82
1995: 14.56
1992: 9.81
1989: 5.84
1986: 4.40