INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS
Pros conclude follow-up on portfolio picks

Advertiser Staff

Three months ago, The Advertiser asked a handful of Hawai'i financial professionals to offer readers a look at what they might invest in in today's market.

Many were wary — concerned that in the rush to earn more, investors might blindly follow tips that were not appropriate for their situations.

The professionals were given a three-month timeframe for their investment portfolios, which have appeared every Sunday in The Advertiser's Business section.

Since September, they have offered recommendations to a theoretical investor who inherits $25,000 and wants to put it into stocks, mutual funds or bonds to increase the value.

They selected five investments of $5,000 each on Sept. 12 and were allowed to make changes only once a month.

The weekly chart has tracked the value of their investments amid a particularly turbulent market, and allowed the professionals to comment on their picks and what they would do differently if the investments were for the long term.

Only two professionals made gains on their investments — and one by only 7 cents.

As the investment period ends today, the professionals say they welcomed the opportunity to participate but remind readers that the rules of this portfolio, including allowing trades only once a month, made it difficult to build equity. The Advertiser will be considering possible revisions to the rules as we look to continue this feature in the future.