LM portfolio as at 27/08/2021:
| Code | Sector | Date Bought | Cost | Value | Gain/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM026 LM026-2 LM026-3 |
ETF | 14/10/2020 09/12/2020 06/07/2021 |
£3430 | £4020 | 17.23% |
| LM028 LM028-2 |
'No specific industry' | 16/11/2020 10/08/2021 |
£2280 | £2650 | 16.11% |
| LM032 LM032-2 |
Industrial Transportation | 07/12/2020 20/01/2021 |
£2070 | £2760 | 33.48% |
| LM033 LM033-2 |
Health Care Equipment & Services | 04/01/2021 03/08/2021 |
£2320 | £2530 | 9.34% |
| LM034 | Food & Drug Retailers | 18/01/2021 | £1020 | £1300 | 27.42% |
| LM035 | Food Producers | 19/01/2021 | £1040 | £1200 | 15.00% |
| LM037 LM037-2 |
Life Insurance | 03/03/2021 05/07/2021 |
£2290 | £2600 | 13.67% |
| LM038 | Banks | 10/03/2021 | £1020 | £1160 | 13.30% |
| LM039 | Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 30/03/2021 | £1030 | £1160 | 13.45% |
| LM040 | General Financial | 27/04/2021 | £1020 | £1140 | 11.11% |
| LM041 | Real Estate Investment Trusts | 27/07/2021 | £1270 | £1350 | 6.44% |
| LM042 | Construction & Materials | 27/07/2021 | £1270 | £1360 | 6.95% |
The last two weeks were spent with various family members and friends enjoying a holiday within the UK due to all the continuing Covid restrictions. Whilst that might not sound as exciting as two weeks all-inclusive at a five-star hotel in the sun, it turned out to be an excellent break spent doing wholesome activities with loved ones. Something that probably wouldn't have happened if it weren't for a global catastrophe!
Should anyone be reading this in the distant future who wasn't aware of how the Pandemic affected England then allow me to explain why in 2021 many English people were holidaying in the UK or not holidaying at all.
Following 17 months of varying levels of restrictions - some reasonable, some ridiculous - the government decided that from the 19th July 2021 it was no longer necessary to wear face coverings in public places.
So now you don't need to wear a mask in Asda.
Opinions differ but for many like me, it was about bloody time. Everyone who wants to be vaccinated has been vaccinated now. The holdouts are those who believe the daft conspiracy theories or who doubt the professionalism of the world's scientific community.
Despite the lifting of the mask restrictions, several companies have decided that the government's rules do not apply to them and are insisting that customers still wear face coverings when using their services.
Some, like Tesco, will put mildly patronising signs outside their premises - "let's look after each other" - in an attempt to have all customers put masks on but it's far from compulsory and there is a mixture of those who still put on masks and those who don't.
Unfortunately airlines and airports have decided that masks have to be worn constantly within their premises or aircraft. And sadly this is not voluntary. You either wear a mask or don't fly. Which leads to the ridiculous situation of all the passengers crammed in next to each other, breathing the same recycled air whilst stiffled with fabric over their noses and mouths.
But how would you eat or drink on a 12 hour flight if you have to wear a mask the whole time?
Well I'm glad you asked.
Because I asked this too.
And the airlines have come up with a radical solution - you take off your mask whilst eating or drinking at your seat.
Then you put the mask back on when you are finished.
Please bear in mind that this is a plane full of people who have been forced to pay over-the-odds for a Covid test before they fly. And that test must be negative or they cannot board. Therefore, there shouldn't be anyone who can spread the disease on the plane.
So everybody on the plane - everyone - will at some point remove their masks and breath the air which is recycled throughout the plane thus making the wearing of masks completely redundant.
Assuming that masks prevent the virus from being expelled in someone's breath (which is debated) then the only way the plane could be kept virus-free is to ensure everyone keeps their mask on the whole time. If everyone ends up removing the mask, no matter how briefly, then we may as well scrap masks on planes. The virus will spread either way but it would be far more comfortable if masks were voluntary.
Oh well, another year of UK-only holidays for many who can't be bothered with the hassle of travelling abroad.
But fingers crossed that somebody, somewhere with some clout soon realises that Covid will be here forever, everyone over 18 who wants to be vaccinated has now been vaccinated and at some point life needs to return to "normal".
I was hoping the cutover point would be the 19th of July but there are plenty who want to continue with restrictions, seemingly forever.
Frankly we need to all start thinking it is 1997 again and forget about Covid. If the majority of scientists are to be believed this virus will be here in some shape or form forever and will return each year during "flu season". Society will just have to suck it up.
There is no rewind button.
The portfolio
So amusing to re-read my last entry where I mentioned that LM034 would likely need a new unit adding as it was rising so well. I ended up adding another unit to LM028 instead, and then LM034 jumped 15% on takeover rumours.
Oh how I did laugh.
Still, rather than consider that I missed out I am just glad I was already in LM034 and benefiting from the bump in price. In fact, all of my positions are currently in positive territory and the LM portfolio is at an all-time high so how could I possibly complain?