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Dmitry's avatar

Paul, did you withdraw dividends from the account (perhaps partially) or reinvest everything in full?

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Paul Drake's avatar

What I showed here (green curve in the plot) is the sum of what is now in the account and what has been withdrawn from it. That, less the initial investment, represents the total value generated, which is what one should care about IMO.

I show both current value and the total in my monthly updates for paid members.

This past year I spent the dividends and then some, to make the changes described in the article. For 2025 I anticipate withdrawing no more than a small fraction of the dividends.

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Ryan Chavez's avatar

Hi Paul. How do you view AHH and SILA at this time? I know you held both in 2024 but no longer hold them now. I hold small positions in both but thinking of selling and adding to some energy positions. I hold those two REITs for income right now.

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Paul Drake's avatar

I think they are fine for income, but carry a bit more risk of dividend cuts (especially AHH). So if one holds them one should pay attention quarterly. I find some energy positions much more compelling today.

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Phil's avatar

"I see a reliance on total returns as much more risky within the full historical context of things that might go wrong."

I'd pay to see you and Dale Roberts in the same room...ha

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Paul Drake's avatar

Dale had an article a few days ago where he promoted dividends as a way to reduce sequence of returns risk. Definitely shattered the universe.

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Brian Gerstein's avatar

I view your performance as impressive since your portfolio of higher income, safer securities matched the performance of the S&P 500 for the past 5-year period during a strong growth/tech bull market. Please keep up the good work!

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Paul Drake's avatar

That is the intent, but time will tell.

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