Portfolio A1 Increases Lead Over SPX as Markets Drop

After the disastrous mid-August performance, it was heartening to see Portfolio A1 outperform the benchmark S&P 500 index during last week’s market turbulence. While the margin of outperformance was small, this now means that the portfolio is up 9.6% since the February 16, 2007 inception – a period in which the SPX is down 0.1%.

Some of the portfolio’s individual holdings did not fare particularly well during the week, with the result that the stock ranking system has elected to drop DryShips (DRYS) and StatoilHydro (STO). These stocks are being replaced by China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., more commonly known as Sinopec (SNP), as well as Perini (PCR), the large Boston-based construction company. In spite of the very strong year it has had, I am not sure I would be chasing Perini at this point, but, this being a mechanical portfolio, all I can do is raise an eyebrow and be prepared to eat some crow.

There are no other changes to the portfolio this week.

A snapshot of the portfolio is as follows: