Stock portfolio, 2009Q1

The main portfolio page has been updated.

Commentary

There was quite a bit of action this quarter, as this credit crunch caught up with various banks. After denials of the need to improve their capital situation, first RBS, then HBOS and now Bradford & Bingley have passed the begging bowl round to shareholders, holding rights issues and converting dividends to scrip, which means that instead of cash, we get paid in shares. In my book, that's all right provided it is (a) a one-off, and (b) they don't mess around with the dividend per share to "compensate".

Apart from that, LogicaCMG changed its name (a result, like so many odd company names, of a merger between Logica and CMG) to Logica, which is a far nicer name to deal with. Perhaps one day, Lloyds TSB will get around to dropping the TSB bit; after all, it's not like anyone remembers the Trustee Savings Bank any more.

Dividends were also in full flow this quarter, as April is the end of the financial year for many companies. The Bradford & Bingley (0.62p per unit) and Lloyds (0.57p) dividends, the process for which started last quarter, were paid this quarter, as well as the Barratt Developments (0.23p) and Trinity Mirror (0.39p) dividends announced last quarter. Logica (0.30p), whom I only bought last quarter, had also released results and paid out their final dividend, and Marston's paid out just at the end of June (0.20p). The total dividends received over the quarter were 2.32p per unit.

As a result, another nicely-earned teaching bonus combined with the dividends meant that I was able to buy another three shares this quarter. They were Old Mutual, an insurance group with activities in the US and South Africa as well as the UK; Brixton, a company which lets industrial and warehouse properties around the UK; and Home Retail Group, the company responsible for Argos and Homebase.

Activity report

Apr 08
No activity of note.

May 08
Receive dividend 14.3p per share from BB.
Receive dividend 24.7p per share from LLOY.
Receive dividend 3.5p per share from LOG.
Receive dividend 12.23p per share from BDEV.

Jun 08
Receive dividend 15.5p per share from TNI.
Receive dividend 4.8p per share from MARS.
Buy OML (Old Mutual) at 92.84p.
Buy HOME (Home Retail Group) at 213.00p.
Buy BXTN (Brixton) at 234.83p.

Outlook

There are dividends already announced to be paid in 2009Q2 from Tate & Lyle, United Utilities and BT; these total 0.76p per unit. Additionally, United Utilities disposed of its electricity arm recently, and is returning the capital to shareholders, so I'll have some extra money to work out what to do with. It won't be noted as a dividend, but will be noted as a buy. I think my best idea so far is to send it into National Grid, which pays a dividend and will replace the area of business lost by the sale.