In 2016, I made a crucial decision: I embarked on a sabbatical, loaded my family into a compact RV, and set off on a journey to Costa Rica.
Upon returning in 2017, I stepped down from my position as a private banker at National Bank to dedicate myself fully to my endeavor: Dividend Stocks Rock. I also took over the management of my pension account at National Bank. Since then, I’ve been publicly developing and overseeing this portfolio to function as a real-world case study.
In August 2017, my restricted retirement account contained $108,760.02. “Locked” signifies that I am unable to contribute any additional funds, so growth is solely dependent on capital appreciation and dividends. The aim of this portfolio is to openly share the realities of my portfolio management with our members, showcasing all its highs and lows. I trust you’ve found value in my experiences.
Q1 2026 Overview
I have been completely invested in stocks since 2003, and the market’s unpredictability continues to intrigue me. When posed with questions about market forecasts for “this year” or the leading investment sectors, my answer remains:
Your prediction is as good as mine
Why? Because the future is perpetually uncertain!
Once again, the stock market proves my point. Anticipating the next 12 months is pointless.
Now, let’s explore the outcomes:
Performance Summary
Here are the figures as of April 6th, 2026 (prior to the market opening):
Initial investment in September 2017 (with no additional contributions): $108,760.02.
- Current portfolio value: $321,406.88
- Dividends received: $5,329.86 (TTM)
- Average yield: 1.66%
- 2025 return: +7.34%
- VFV.TO= +12.18%, XIU.TO = +28.88%
- Dividend growth: +1.5%
Total return from inception (Sept 2017 – Nov 2025): +195.52%
Annualized return (101 months): 13.74%
Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) annualized return (since Sept 2017): 15.41% (total return 234.0%)
iShares S&P/TSX 60 ETF (XIU.TO) annualized return (since Sept 2017): 12.97% (total return 179.20%)
In my investment theme newsletter at the close of 2025, I emphasized AI as a significant trend, energy (to support AI), substantial CAPEX fueling the bull market, private equity, and gold. I failed to anticipate the unexpected capture of Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, or foresee an imminent conflict in Iran!
Notably, I did not address Iran’s opposition obstructing the Strait