Railroad Fund – Status as of 12/31/19
It’s the end of the quarter and time to report on the railroad fund. The fund started on 10/21/19, but I’m resetting the fund’s timing to the end of the quarter so that future quarterly reports tie to actual calendar quarters. The market value of the fund is $10,392.74, and I started with $10,000 71 days ago. Thus, I’ve earned approximately $5.53 per day since inception. My cost basis is currently $10,270.32, driven by one sale of stock on 11/15/19 and receipt of dividends.
I sold Canadian Pacific because it reached my target sales price. I bought the stock on 10/21/19, the first day of the fund, for $219.99, including a $1 per share transaction fee, and sold it on 11/15/19 for $241.47, along with a cost of $1 per share, netting the fund $240.47 per share. The gain per share was $20.48. Since I only invested $2,500 into this stock, my total gain was $232.74. Also, during this quarter, I earned $37.58 in dividends; therefore, my total growth equals $270.32.
The current fair market value of the fund is allocated as follows:
- CSX Railroad 103.60774 Shares at $72.36 for a total of $7,497.06
- Norfolk Southern Railroad 13.52375 Shares @$194.13 2,625.37
- Cash 270.32
Total market value is $10,392.74 (1 penny mathematical difference). My current target selling prices are as follows:
- CSX – $80.52
- NSU – $206.46
Thus, since its inception, this fund has grown at a slightly higher rate than 20.13% annualized.
If you have been following along so far, there are only five Class I railroads that are currently publicly traded. There is a seventh, but the entire railroad is currently owned by Berkshire Hathaway. All six are truly comparable, as none deviate from the primary business of transporting goods.
This fund uses value investing principles centered on business ratios to make buy/sell decisions; the value investing principles I advocate for long-term steady growth. The fourth quarter and annual results will be out in early February, and I’m looking forward to evaluating the investments and comparing all six again. Right now, the market is performing well, all six railroad companies are doing well in the market, and all six are at or near the historical highs. No railroad is currently depressed in price, offering a buy opportunity.
Looking forward to some great year-end information. ACT ON KNOWLEDGE.