Boring Portfolio Report
Thursday, October 31, 1996

by Greg Markus (MF Boring)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Oct. 31) -- The market gave the Boring Portfolio a treat today, in the form of a solid one percentage-point gain in net asset value. That outpaced the Dow and the S&P 500, which were up approximately 6/10ths of a percent in value. Five Boring stocks advanced today, while two (quiet Carlisle Companies and Prime Medical Services) lost ground.

The Borefolio lagged a bit behind the Nasdaq, which rocketed ahead more than 15 points (1.27%), fueled by a bullish report last night from the Semiconductor Industry of America. That report forecast global chip sales to increase by 7.5% next year, to $138.8 billion. Looking beyond 1997, the report projected 17.1% growth in 1998 and an additional 21.6% in 1999, to just under $200 billion.

Hey, I'm doing my part. Last week, I ordered a new Mac clone, decked out with 48-meg of RAM and assorted other goodies. It's due next week, and I can't wait!

The Borefolio's technology sector, consisting of Cisco Systems and Solectron, moved up nicely today. Cisco rocked the casbah, leaping $3 5/8 on strong volume ahead of Tuesday's quarterly earnings report.

Shares of Borders Group more than made up for yesterday's loss, booking a $1 3/8 gain. No news.

There was also no news from PMSI or Carlisle. Trading in those two issues was light. Trading activity in Oxford Health was also quite light. OXHP rose $5/8 on no news.

The bond market rallied on Thursday, apparently on the rumor that tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls report would track yesterday's news of a slowing domestic economy. The yield on the long-bond dipped to 6.64%. Stocks in the financial services group rose accordingly, including Green Tree Financial, which grew a quarter-point.

That's about it for tonight. Not a lot of news, but a decent gain for the session.

Yikes! The trick or treaters are ringing the bell off the door. Time to go pass out the rice cakes and soy nuts. (That's all we eat here in Ann Arbor, you know.)

Transmitted: 10/31/96

Stock  Change    Bid
-------------------
BGP   +1 3/8   31.50
CSL   -1       56.88
CSCO  +3 5/8   61.75
GNT   +  1/4   39.63
OXHP  +  5/8   45.50
PMSI  -  3/8   12.25
SLR   +  5/8   53.50

       
      Day   Month    Year  History
        BORING   +1.01%  -3.54%  12.28%  12.28%
        S&P 500  +0.62%   2.61%  13.46%  13.46%
        NASDAQ   +1.27%  -0.44%  17.34%  17.34%


    Rec'd   #  Security     In At       Now    Change

  2/28/96  200 Borders Gr    22.51     31.50    39.92%
   2/2/96  200 Green Tree    30.39     39.63    30.40%
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi    10.07     12.25    21.66%
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst    53.90     61.75    14.56%
  8/13/96  100 Carlisle C    52.65     56.88     8.02%
  1/29/96  100 Solectron     54.52     53.50    -1.88%
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea    48.02     45.50    -5.26%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At     Value    Change

   2/2/96  200 Green Tree  6077.49   7925.00  $1847.51
  2/28/96  200 Borders Gr  4502.49   6300.00  $1797.51
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi  4027.49   4900.00   $872.51
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst  5389.99   6175.00   $785.01
  8/13/96  100 Carlisle C  5264.99   5687.50   $422.51
  1/29/96  100 Solectron   5452.49   5350.00  -$102.49
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea  4802.49   4550.00  -$252.49

                             CASH  $15252.86
                            TOTAL  $56140.36



Transmitted: 10/31/96