Herman VanGenderen looks back into the various mistakes and successes in his portfolio, with the goal of helping readers out there actively managing their own off-farm investments.
Tag Archives stocks
Smashes and setbacks line the path to a successful investment portfolio
Investing for Fun and Profit: The personal portfolio quadrupled in the equivalent of eight years, despite numerous mistakes
The Titanium Strength Portfolio keeps plugging along
Investing for Fun and Profit: The portfolio achieved a nice double by its seventh anniversary
If, seven years ago, you had told me all the extenuating circumstances to come, I might have been hesitant predicting what I did at the time about this model stock portfolio.
USDA lowers soybean/corn acreage estimates, wheat up from March
Quarterly stocks data also out
Farmers in the United States planted slightly less soybeans and corn than earlier intentions in 2025, according to updated acreage data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released June 30.
AAFC ups canola exports, but leaves ending stocks unchanged
no title
Canadian canola exports in 2024/25 will be at least a million tonnes above earlier projections, but ending stocks remain to be seen as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada had to make some creative calculations in their latest supply/demand report.
Let’s revisit the basics of investing in stocks
Investing for Fun and Profit: Three ways to invest, three culprits for poor performance — and three antidotes
This week we’re looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the three main ways to invest in stocks, as a path to achieve higher returns compared to cash, GICs or bonds. As investment vehicles go, pension funds are out of control of their individual investors, so let’s quickly move the discussion to areas where we have control.
AAFC adjusts grain/oilseed balance sheets slightly
Canola carryout revised higher, wheat down
Updated estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, released Feb. 19, included only minor revisions to the supply and demand projections for the country’s major crop.
Wish not for a weak Canadian dollar
Investing for Fun and Profit: Weak currency is symptomatic of weak investing confidence in a country
There exists what I believe is a very common misconception that a weak currency is good for the economy. Statements by news media and politicians often parrot this theme because on a short-term basis, exports become cheaper for foreign buyers and imports more expensive for domestic purchasers, theoretically enhancing domestic production. However, what’s missing in […] Read more
AAFC lowers canola ending stocks estimate
Canadian canola ending stocks for the 2024-25 marketing year are forecast to be tighter than earlier expectations, according to updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released Oct. 21.
What good are bonds?
Bonds and Risk: The price for the greater security bonds provide is that they do pay less on an historical basis compared to stocks
Bonds have long been scorned by investors lured by the seemingly higher returns of stocks. To be honest, on a historical basis, comparing returns over decades, stocks do pay more than bonds — but those stocks pull off this feat with much more pain and suffering. With the higher reward goes the higher risk. For […] Read more
Can Canada’s banks and telcos maintain as reliable performers?
Investing for Fun and Profit: Also includes an update on the latest status of the Titanium Strength Portfolio
This is my 100th column over the past six years for Grainews. I hope you’ve enjoyed the wit and wisdom, albeit limited, and that my musings helped your off-farm investing success. This is also the first column written following the May 15 anniversary of the Titanium Strength Portfolio (TSP). At its outset, the purpose was […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
