Back from India visit

Recently back from a trip to India. Lot to write about the experiences there, what I did, what I did not etc etc.

Newton's 4th law of motion - All that falls down, comes up (barring some bad apples)

So much has happened in last 2-3 months.
- Totally unexpected jump in the markets.
- Totally unexpected election results
- Made an inter-state move of household
- and much more...(satyam... )

My portfolio is now up 26% over acquisition cost. Lot of this gain is courtesy my BFSI-weighted portfolio (helped a lot by ICICI Bank).

Another pleasing thing is my Hotel portfolio is looking good. My investments made in Indian Hotels around 26/11 (more to show solidarity) are paying off. I think I will donate the profits from Indian Hotels to charity since that investment was not made from a profit perspective.

Another biggest winner in the pack was my investments in JM Basic MF which saw impressive gains

These are my top 12 sector-wise holdings by market value. If you compare that with my Feb holding distribution, you will see substantial jump in Oil & Gas and reduction in Gold

More later, the biggest question now is, does one take profits off the table or not? Its been a long wait, have been patient for last 18 months, in fact shown some guts in adding to the portfolio in this period. Having survived the worst moment, do I chicken out now or is now the time to really reap the benefits. Catch-22 situation. Will ponder over it for a while, will stay put till then.

I did sell some itsy bitsy investments - sold M&M (with intention of picking it up again, below 500). Also sold Reliance Ind.

Lots more to write, will be back soon....

Back after a long hiatus

I will be back blogging by this weekend after a 2 months long hiatus

Additions to the blog page

Hangman at the top of the screen - verrrry addictive

How to play hangman - In the 'Your Guess' field, type a letter. If it is part of the word in question, it will go and fill up one of the dashes, else it will go to the garbage bin, and the condemned will move one step closer to being hanged (or hung;)

Basically on 10th wrong attempt, its all over

Word of the day to the left of the screen

Log on everyday to check the new word of the day, you can also hear how it is pronounced

Gold Bug

Came across a nice article today on the net

http://247wallst.com/2009/02/21/800-or-1200-gold-panic-vs-inflation-etfs-gld-ugl-dzz-dgp-dgz-gdx/

Mutalik and Valentine's Day

Just could not resist writing about this.

This is one of those rare times when self-declared social police have not been allowed to get away with such unlawful decrees. Thanks for media and ever present camera-men, the mangalore pub attack attracted lot of attention.

The underlying message is scary - we are being talibanized and we should resist it to the fullest extent.

My full support to those who came up with this 'pink chaddi' campaign i.e. Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women :) http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/

May I say, I see a bit of Gandhism in this form of response!

I have been reading a few comments on this campaign on the internet. I had thought this would be very well received, but contrary to my expectations, it has received non-approval from lots of folks (males I guess). Shows how much conservativeness we have shed (not shed) even among internet users.

I am glad for people like Susan. Great work...

For those who do not know what I am writing about.. check this link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100624625

Comments welcome....

Rock on...

Listening to classic rock after ages..

Nirvana
Floyd
Led Zep
Dire Straits
Santana...

Feels good