The conservative portfolio was up just under 1% for the month of October. The positive action was mostly from the portfolio's stock funds, not the larger bond position, which was flat for the month. The Columbia REIT fund was the portfolios weakest position, down almost 3% for the month. Other stock funds were strong. The portfolio outperformed the "safety" portfolio mainly because of its larger stock holdings, including the recently added Vanguard Utilities Income fund which was up 3.64% for the month. Most of the weakness this month was in government bonds, which previously been strong. This portfolio is light on U.S. government bonds so the portfolio was largely unaffected.
The aggressive growth portfolio was up 3% in November . The Fidelity New Markets Income fund was up about 6%, as emerging markets bonds continue a good year compared to other asset classes. More helpful was the Gabelli Global Telecom fund, up almost 16% for the month; maybe Telecom stocks have finally bottomed (but we'll need to see some fundamental improvement in the area before we can be certain). Our biggest disappointment in the portfolio in October was the T. Rowe Price Japan fund, down over 8%. Japan still just can't seem to get its act together.
October 2002 performance review
The conservative portfolio was up just under 1% for the month of October. The positive action was mostly from the portfolio's stock funds, not the larger bond position, which was flat for the month. The Columbia REIT fund was the portfolios weakest position, down almost 3% for the month. Other stock funds were strong. The portfolio outperformed the "safety" portfolio mainly because of its larger stock holdings, including the recently added Vanguard Utilities Income fund which was up 3.64% for the month. Most of the weakness this month was in government bonds, which previously been strong. This portfolio is light on U.S. government bonds so the portfolio was largely unaffected.
The aggressive growth portfolio was up 3% in November . The Fidelity New Markets Income fund was up about 6%, as emerging markets bonds continue a good year compared to other asset classes. More helpful was the Gabelli Global Telecom fund, up almost 16% for the month; maybe Telecom stocks have finally bottomed (but we'll need to see some fundamental improvement in the area before we can be certain). Our biggest disappointment in the portfolio in October was the T. Rowe Price Japan fund, down over 8%. Japan still just can't seem to get its act together.