Saturday, January 09, 2010

Update of Mechanical Approach - Jan 8 2010

Thought I'd give a quick update of the mechanical portfolios. As a reminder to my faithful readers, every weekend I look at the top 30 and top 50 screens from the MFI website. If a stock is new to the list in the past 52 weeks, I add it to the appropriate mechanical portfolio. I at the same time add the S&P 500 and then I track it over the next year. I am coming up on my second year of this mechanical approach to MFI and it has crushed the benchmark averages and out-performed the average movement of MFI stocks. All-in-all the top 50 average stock is up 22.9% versus 3.1% for the S&P 500. You would be up an average of 14.6% if you bought 50 mfi stocks each month. In addition, as I have mentioned here several times, I am transitioning my portfolio to more of a "mechanical" approach. I am not taking every stock (that would be too many) but I consider each Monday (and even sometimes mid-week) buying a stock that is new to the lists. That is starting to work very well for me.

Finally, I also track the top 50 stocks over 100m each month for a stock year and I have done that since January 2006. I did go back to that database (starting in January 2007) and only used stocks that hadn't been on the list in the past 12 months. It also outperformed there, up an average of 7.0% per stock year vs 2.9& for the broader MFI universe and -2.0% for Russell 3000. I don't know about you, but I think this makes a pretty strong case for the vaunted holy grail of taking the MFI list an doing even better.

Here is a listing of both my Mechanical Portfolios that I use to monitor performance. We are actually at a zenith, the stocks that were added between January and March of 2009 are up an average of 93%. It is intriguing how the two portfolios are almost perfectly in sync. That suggests that it doesn't make much difference if you select from top 30 or top 50.

Top 50

Symbol
Original Current Dividend S&P O S&P D Stock Chg S&P Chg Diff
HPY 1/24/09 8.54 15.00 - 83.11 2.18 75.6% 40.5% 35.2%
HLIT 1/31/09 5.15 6.51 - 82.83 2.18 26.4% 40.9% -14.5%
HGT 1/31/09 13.06 17.54 0.65 82.83 2.18 39.3% 40.9% -1.7%
CNU 2/8/09 1.96 4.37 - 86.98 2.18 123.0% 34.2% 88.7%
SJT 2/8/09 19.05 18.87 0.55 86.98 2.18 1.9% 34.2% -32.3%
SGU 2/8/09 2.55 4.14 0.20 86.98 2.18 70.4% 34.2% 36.1%
TC 2/8/09 4.33 14.31 - 86.98 2.18 230.5% 34.2% 196.3%
bioc 2/14/09 3.72 4.37 - 82.76 2.18 17.5% 41.1% -23.6%
FORR 2/14/09 17.56 25.95 - 82.76 2.18 47.8% 41.1% 6.7%
ZYXI.OB 2/14/09 1.20 1.18 - 82.76 2.18 -1.7% 41.1% -42.7%
FRD 2/21/09 4.95 6.09 - 77.42 2.18 23.0% 50.8% -27.8%
SOLR 2/21/09 4.22 5.95 - 77.42 2.18 41.0% 50.8% -9.8%
MTXX 2/21/09 17.90 4.67 - 77.42 2.18 -73.9% 50.8% -124.7%
TYPE 2/21/09 3.02 9.58 - 77.42 2.18 217.2% 50.8% 166.4%
PTIE 2/21/09 5.41 5.16 - 77.42 2.18 -4.6% 50.8% -55.4%
PDO 2/21/09 3.19 5.21 - 77.42 2.18 63.3% 50.8% 12.5%
SAPE 2/21/09 3.38 8.31 - 77.42 2.18 145.9% 50.8% 95.1%
VDSI 2/21/09 5.25 6.50 - 77.42 2.18 23.8% 50.8% -27.0%
IGTE 2/21/09 2.99 10.19 - 77.42 2.18 240.8% 50.8% 190.0%
DECK 2/28/09 41.27 111.99 - 73.93 2.18 171.4% 57.9% 113.4%
KTII 2/28/09 55.48 113.52 - 73.93 2.18 104.6% 57.9% 46.7%
INT 2/28/09 29.01 53.96 - 73.93 2.18 86.0% 57.9% 28.1%
ICAD 2/28/09 0.90 1.64 - 77.42 2.18 82.2% 50.8% 31.4%
EXBD 3/6/09 12.96 23.88 - 68.92 2.18 84.3% 69.4% 14.9%
DISH 3/6/09 9.27 21.16 - 68.92 2.18 128.3% 69.4% 58.9%
QLTI 3/6/09 1.41 4.76 - 68.92 2.18 237.6% 69.4% 168.2%
SRDX 3/6/09 16.87 21.11 - 68.92 2.18 25.1% 69.4% -44.3%
INFI 4/16/09 5.83 6.55 - 87.08 1.62 12.3% 33.4% -21.1%
CRAY 5/1/09 3.98 6.46 - 87.89 1.62 62.3% 32.2% 30.1%
TWX 5/1/09 22.84 28.76 - 87.89 1.62 25.9% 32.2% -6.3%
RST 5/1/09 29.83 18.62 - 87.89 1.62 -37.6% 32.2% -69.8%
ulcm 5/1/09 8.72 9.91 - 87.89 1.62 13.6% 32.2% -18.5%
AAV 5/15/09 3.41 7.29 - 88.71 1.62 113.8% 31.0% 82.8%
AMED 5/29/09 30.43 50.12 - 92.53 1.62 64.7% 25.6% 39.1%
UTA 5/29/09 7.90 10.63 - 92.53 1.62 34.6% 25.6% 9.0%
PFE 6/5/09 14.51 18.68 - 94.55 1.62 28.7% 22.9% 5.9%
VM 6/5/09 4.55 5.50 - 94.55 1.62 20.9% 22.9% -2.0%
ONTY 6/11/09 2.60 5.85 - 95.08 1.62 125.0% 22.2% 102.8%
BPI 6/19/09 16.74 15.42 - 92.04 1.10 -7.9% 25.7% -33.6%
GME 6/19/09 22.95 20.29 - 92.04 1.10 -11.6% 25.7% -37.3%
SHAW 7/10/09 23.69 32.96 - 87.96 1.10 39.1% 31.5% 7.6%
RTN 7/24/09 45.39 52.45 0.62 98.06 1.10 16.9% 18.0% -1.0%
CBZ 7/31/09 6.54 7.52 - 98.81 1.10 15.0% 17.1% -2.1%
CBI 7/31/09 13.95 22.59 - 98.81 1.10 61.9% 17.1% 44.9%
DRC 7/31/09 29.11 33.58 - 98.81 1.10 15.4% 17.1% -1.7%
JEC 7/31/09 40.98 41.74 - 98.81 1.10 1.9% 17.1% -15.2%
NPSP 7/31/09 3.89 3.37 - 98.81 1.10 -13.4% 17.1% -30.4%
ASGN 7/31/09 4.23 7.41 - 98.81 1.10 75.2% 17.1% 58.1%
AGX 8/7/09 12.35 14.70 - 98.81 1.10 19.0% 17.1% 2.0%
BBND 8/7/09 4.00 3.58 - 98.81 1.10 -10.5% 17.1% -27.6%
LHCG 8/7/09 24.55 32.44 - 98.81 1.10 32.1% 17.1% 15.1%
RGR 8/7/09 11.45 10.41 - 98.81 1.10 -9.1% 17.1% -26.1%
PRIM 8/7/09 6.95 7.70 0.05 100.79 1.10 11.5% 14.8% -3.2%
SEPR 8/7/09 18.12 23.00 - 100.79 1.10 26.9% 14.8% 12.2%
CEU 8/21/09 5.10 7.09 - 102.96 1.10 39.0% 12.3% 26.7%
CYTK 8/21/09 3.04 3.33 - 102.96 1.10 9.5% 12.3% -2.8%
CMFO 8/28/09 4.55 8.00 - 102.96 1.10 75.8% 12.3% 63.5%
NAVR 9/4/09 1.79 2.14 - 102.60 1.10 19.6% 12.7% 6.8%
WTW 9/11/09 26.00 29.37 0.35 104.77 1.10 14.3% 10.4% 3.9%
MIPS 9/18/09 3.72 4.65 - 106.72 1.10 25.0% 8.4% 16.6%
ESI 10/30/09 90.35 100.07 - 103.56 0.59 10.8% 11.2% -0.4%
VRSK 10/30/09 27.43 30.00 - 103.56 0.59 9.4% 11.2% -1.8%
APOL 11/6/09 55.99 60.50 - 107.13 0.59 8.1% 7.5% 0.6%
CBST 11/6/09 17.60 18.78 - 107.13 0.59 6.7% 7.5% -0.8%
SNTA 11/6/09 3.20 4.52 - 107.13 0.59 41.3% 7.5% 33.8%
IMMU 11/6/09 3.61 4.05 - 107.13 0.59 12.2% 7.5% 4.7%
PBH 11/13/09 6.95 7.74 - 109.62 0.59 11.4% 5.1% 6.3%
IDCC 11/20/09 23.56 26.53 - 109.43 0.59 12.6% 5.2% 7.4%
PDLI 11/27/09 6.63 6.75 - 109.57 0.59 1.8% 5.1% -3.3%
CBPO 12/4/09 9.06 12.92 - 111.01 0.59 42.6% 3.7% 38.9%
XOMA 12/4/09 0.72 0.70 - 111.01 0.59 -3.0% 3.7% -6.7%
SHE 12/31/09 5.15 7.38 - 111.44 - 43.3% 2.8% 40.5%






Top 50 Portfolio







Totals 22.9% 3.1% 19.9%
53.4% of stocks beat the S&P 500 Benchmark
Closed 12.1% -9.1% 21.2%
S&P C

114.57

Open 46.3% 29.2% 17.1%

Top 30

Symbol
Original Current Dividend S&P O S&P D Stock Chg S&P Chg Diff
COH 2/14/09 13.97 37.27 - 82.76 2.18 166.8% 41.1% 125.7%
DELL 2/21/09 8.41 14.85 - 77.42 2.18 76.6% 50.8% 25.8%
SOLR 2/21/09 4.22 5.95 - 77.42 2.18 41.0% 50.8% -9.8%
DECK 2/28/09 41.27 111.99 - 73.93 2.18 171.4% 57.9% 113.4%
FWLT 2/28/09 15.04 34.82 - 73.93 2.18 131.5% 57.9% 73.6%
HCKT 2/28/09 2.56 2.63 - 73.93 2.18 2.7% 57.9% -55.2%
MWW 2/28/09 6.59 18.91 - 73.93 2.18 186.9% 57.9% 129.0%
PTIE 2/28/09 4.53 5.16 - 73.93 2.18 13.9% 57.9% -44.0%
TRLG 2/28/09 10.22 21.26 - 73.93 2.18 108.0% 57.9% 50.1%
qlti 3/6/09 1.41 4.76 - 68.92 2.18 237.6% 69.4% 168.2%
exbd 3/6/09 12.96 23.88 0.74 68.92 2.18 90.0% 69.4% 20.6%
FIX 3/13/09 9.73 13.16
76.09 2.18 35.3% 53.4% -18.2%
DBTK 3/13/09 6.65 9.90 - 76.09 2.18 48.9% 53.4% -4.6%
LOOP 3/13/09 5.77 10.17 - 76.09 2.18 76.3% 53.4% 22.8%
PRO 3/27/09 4.29 9.77 - 81.61 1.62 127.7% 42.4% 85.4%
ACN 4/9/09 27.71 42.57 - 85.81 1.62 53.6% 35.4% 18.2%
INFI 4/16/09 5.83 6.55 - 87.08 1.62 12.3% 33.4% -21.1%
TSRA 5/1/09 14.52 20.29 - 87.89 1.62 39.7% 32.2% 7.5%
RST 5/1/09 29.83 18.62 - 87.89 1.62 -37.6% 32.2% -69.8%
ulcm 5/1/09 8.72 9.91 - 87.89 1.62 13.6% 32.2% -18.5%
TYPE 5/1/09 3.80 9.58 - 87.89 1.62 152.1% 32.2% 119.9%
CRAY 5/1/09 3.98 6.46 - 87.89 1.62 62.3% 32.2% 30.1%
INT 5/8/09 41.90 53.96 - 92.98 1.62 28.8% 25.0% 3.8%
IPHS 5/15/09 15.03 22.52 - 88.71 1.62 49.8% 31.0% 18.9%
GNI 5/29/09 86.75 93.99 3.60 92.53 1.62 12.5% 25.6% -13.1%
UTA 5/29/09 7.90 10.63 - 92.53 1.62 34.6% 25.6% 9.0%
FRX 6/5/09 23.66 31.04 - 94.55 1.62 31.2% 22.9% 8.3%
ONTY 6/11/09 2.60 5.85 - 95.08 1.62 125.0% 22.2% 102.8%
VM 6/11/09 4.24 5.50 - 95.08 1.62 29.7% 22.2% 7.5%
BPI 6/19/09 16.74 15.42 - 92.04 0.51 -7.9% 25.0% -32.9%
MTXX 7/2/09 5.77 4.67 - 91.84 0.51 -19.1% 25.3% -44.4%
JTX 7/2/09 5.74 5.06 - 91.84 0.51 -11.8% 25.3% -37.1%
GIGM 7/24/09 4.98 3.31 - 98.06 0.51 -33.5% 17.4% -50.9%
CBI 7/31/09 13.95 22.59 - 98.81 0.51 61.9% 16.5% 45.5%
BR 7/31/09 17.27 22.71 0.28 98.81 0.51 33.1% 16.5% 16.7%
LO 7/31/09 73.72 77.95 - 98.81 0.51 5.7% 16.5% -10.7%
ITWO 8/7/09 14.36 19.14 - 101.20 0.51 33.3% 13.7% 19.6%
BKE 8/14/09 26.54 31.91 2.00 100.79 0.51 27.8% 14.2% 13.6%
GTLS 8/14/09 20.73 20.67 - 100.79 0.51 -0.3% 14.2% -14.5%
PRIM 8/14/09 6.95 7.70 0.05 100.79 0.51 11.5% 14.2% -2.7%
SEPR 8/14/09 18.12 23.00 - 100.79 0.51 26.9% 14.2% 12.8%
PVSW 8/14/09 5.00 5.49 - 100.79 0.51 9.8% 14.2% -4.4%
CEU 8/21/09 5.10 7.09 - 102.96 0.51 39.0% 11.8% 27.3%
cytk 8/28/09 3.04 3.33 - 103.38 0.51 9.5% 11.3% -1.8%
jcom 8/28/09 22.14 20.10 - 103.38 0.51 -9.2% 11.3% -20.5%
AMED 9/4/09 35.00 50.12 - 102.06 0.51 43.2% 12.8% 30.4%
MIPS 9/18/09 3.72 4.65 - 106.72 0.51 25.0% 7.8% 17.2%
MHP 9/25/09 23.67 33.95 0.23 104.45 0.59 44.4% 10.3% 34.1%
AGX 10/16/09 12.50 14.70 - 108.89 0.59 17.6% 5.8% 11.8%
BBND 10/30/09 3.70 3.58 - 103.56 0.59 -3.2% 11.2% -14.4%
FLR 10/30/09 44.42 49.76 - 103.56 0.59 12.0% 11.2% 0.8%
RGR 10/30/09 10.62 10.41 - 103.56 0.59 -2.0% 11.2% -13.2%
RTN 10/30/09 45.28 52.45 0.31 103.56 0.59 16.5% 11.2% 5.3%
VRSK 10/30/09 27.43 30.00 - 103.56 0.59 9.4% 11.2% -1.8%
immu 11/6/09 3.61 4.05 - 107.13 0.59 12.2% 7.5% 4.7%
cbst 11/6/09 17.60 18.78 - 107.13 0.59 6.7% 7.5% -0.8%
snta 11/6/09 3.20 4.52 - 107.13 0.59 41.3% 7.5% 33.8%
CNU 11/13/09 3.10 4.37 - 109.62 0.59 41.0% 5.1% 35.9%
IDCC 11/20/09 23.56 26.53 - 109.43 0.59 12.6% 5.2% 7.4%
PDLI 11/27/09 6.63 6.75 - 109.57 0.59 1.8% 5.1% -3.3%
ARO 12/4/09 28.95 33.56 - 111.01 0.59 15.9% 3.7% 12.2%
CBPO 12/4/09 9.06 12.92 - 111.01 0.59 42.6% 3.7% 38.9%
SHE 12/31/09 5.15 7.38 - 111.44 - 43.3% 2.8% 40.5%
















Totals 27.4% 8.4% 19.0%
66.4% of stocks beat the S&P 500 Benchmark
Closed 11.8% -9.7% 21.5%
S&P C

114.57

Open 42.5% 26.0% 16.5%

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