The Motley Fool: The Boring Portfolio

ANN ARBOR, MI, April 19, 1996 -- The NASDAQ gained 2.4 points (+0.21%) today to close at a record high of 1138.70. Percentage-wise, the S&P did a bit better, rising 0.23% on the day. But the Borefolio nosed them both out, up 0.27%.

LCS Industries gets credit for today's win. LCSI gained $1 1/4 on Friday, and $3 for the week. LCSI is now within a point and a half of pushing back into the black in preparation for its quarterly earnings report in early May.

Indeed, all seven Borefolio holdings gained ground for the week, with the portfolio's value increasing by $2,200, not including accumulated interest and dividends. That translates into a 4.49% gain for the week beginning April 12, outpacing both the S&P (+1.29%) and the NASDAQ (+3.43%).

If it appears that I'm harping on the Borefolio's performance, it's because frankly there isn't a lot else to report. After some very nice earnings news from Green Tree Financial and Lam Research earlier in the week, not much happened.

Well, analysts did raise their earnings forecasts for Borders, with the stock responding accordingly. And the board of Texas Industries reaffirmed the $.10 quarterly dividend on the stock. Also, the newest addition to Borefolio, Shaw Group, managed to bend its way into the plus column in its first week here. Oh, yes, Prime Medical hit an all-time high. And I already mentioned LCSI's 14% surge. Hey, maybe it wasn't such a boring week after all!

What's in store for the coming week? For myself, I've got a bit more research to do, as I continue guiding the Borefolio toward being fully invested in stocks. By mid-week, we should have a more precise fix on when PMSI will be issuing its earnings report, according to the company. Former Borefolio holdings Kulicke & Soffa and Potash Corp. are also slated to report quarterly earnings next week, if you're curious. (I am.)

The crocuses are finally abloom here in Michigan, and the daffodils are ready to make their move any day now. All in all, definitely a week-end for hitting the trails. I'm outta here. Have a great one!

TODAY'S NUMBERS

BGP + 1/8 ...GNT + 1/8 ...LRCX - 1/4 ...LCSI +1 1/4
...PMSI - 1/8 ...SHAW - 1/4 ...TXI - 1/8 ...
*
                   Day   Month    Year  History
        BORING   +0.27%   3.93%   2.33%   2.33%
        S&P 500  +0.23%  -0.07%   3.77%   3.77%
        NASDAQ   +0.21%   3.39%   9.39%   9.39%
    Rec'd  #   Security     In At       Now    Change
   3/8/96 400 Prime Medic    10.07     14.38    42.75%
  2/28/96 200 Borders Gro    22.51     31.13    38.27%
  1/29/96 100 Texas Indus    54.52     64.13    17.61%
   2/2/96 200 Green Tree     30.39     34.00    11.89%
  4/12/96 300 The Shaw Gr    18.84     19.38     2.84%
  3/25/96 200 LCS Industr    26.14     24.75    -5.32%
  2/23/96 100 Lam Researc    48.02     37.50   -21.91%
    Rec'd  #   Security      Cost     Value    Change
  2/28/96 200 Borders Gro  4502.49   6225.00  $1722.51
   3/8/96 400 Prime Medic  4027.49   5750.00  $1722.51
   2/2/96 200 Green Tree   6077.49   6800.00   $722.51
  4/12/96 300 The Shaw Gr  5652.49   5812.50   $160.01
  3/25/96 200 LCS Industr  5227.49   4950.00  -$277.49
  2/23/96 100 Lam Researc  4802.49   3750.00 -$1052.49
  1/29/96 100 Texas Indus  5449.99   6412.50   $962.51
                             CASH  $11465.11
                            TOTAL  $51165.11