In 2016, I made a life-changing decision: I embarked on a sabbatical, relocated my family into a compact RV, and we traveled all the way to Costa Rica.
Upon my return in 2017, I resigned from my position as a private banker at National Bank and dedicated myself entirely to my endeavor: Dividend Stocks Rock. Furthermore, I opted to oversee my pension account at National Bank, developing a real-world case study that I have publicly monitored since 2017.
In August 2017, I received $108,760.02 in a locked retirement account which could only appreciate through capital gains and dividends. I disclose the performance of this portfolio to demonstrate my management through its achievements and challenges. My aim is for readers to benefit from my experiences.
The year 2025 was thrilling. With increased capital available, I have notably reinvested into Dividend Stocks Rock. Presently, I am concentrated on enhancing my liquid assets and have expanded my Smith Manoeuvre and opened a new account, prompting me to assess my holdings.
Here are the returns as of December 9th, 2025:
– Initial investment: $108,760.02
– Current portfolio value: $323,127.52
– Dividends received: $5,227.85 (TTM)
– Average yield: 1.62%
– 2024 performance: +26.00%
– Dividend growth: +12.22%
– Total return since inception: +197.10%
– Annualized return (97 months): 14.42%
Following adjustments, I currently maintain 34 positions, keeping my portfolio within 30 to 40 stocks to ensure substantial impact and oversight.
In my Smith Manoeuvre strategy, I’ve opted to enhance monthly contributions. I also divested from stocks that didn’t fit my core strategy and concentrated on robust dividend growers.
Recent transactions in my pension plan include selling Starbucks and purchasing Automatic Data Processing and LeMaitre Vascular, utilizing the proceeds from Starbucks.
Looking ahead, I will boost my monthly contribution as I enter a new stage of life. My focus is on fine-tuning my portfolios with an emphasis on flourishing companies with strong dividend growth.
Since its creation, my portfolio has generated a total of $33,723.42 CAD in dividends, exclusively from the stocks without any extra capital.
I remain optimistic about the positioning of my investments for the upcoming year and wish everyone a delightful holiday season.
Best,
Mike