I had to strike again

The first quarter of 2025 is over. In March, real assets recorded declines, both in equities and ETFs and especially in cryptocurrencies. The markets have become increasingly volatile. While many are panicking, I have been enjoying the first signs of spring, hiking and continuing to winter bathe diligently.

For the past month of March 2025, I present the following points:

➡️ SHARES

➡️ ETFS

➡️ DISTRIBUTIONS

➡️ CASHBACK

➡️ AFTER-PURCHASES

➡️ P2P CREDITS

➡️ CRYPTO

➡️ AND OTHER?

➡️ OUTLOOK

➡️ Shares

There was a considerable setback in March, and not just in equities. The reason for this is the customs issue, on which I have already formulated my thesis, which many believe to be correct. To summarize briefly: Markets are being depressed to get investors into bonds, which lowers bond yields and allows US debt to be refinanced at a lower interest rate. After the refinancing of short-term US government bonds, the tariffs are put into perspective and the next upswing follows, which Trump can boast about. Whether this assumption is correct remains to be seen. However, it would make sense in the long term to slash US spending. Even if the D.O.G.E. does a good job, you can't cut everything without incurring the displeasure of the population.

A look at the depot shows the front-runner $AVGO (+17.44%) and its companion $NFLX (+9.52%) both currently only 150% up, despite a significant setback. I am unimpressed by this development, as the capital market is always facing worse times, which will be followed by better ones. According to André Kostolany, it is now the "shaky hands" that are significantly triggering the sell-off. Yes, change your perspective: the red sign in your portfolio is irrelevant, now is the time to buy more. Enormous overvaluations in tech stocks have been reduced and they may now be available at a fairer price. There are also attractive defensive value stocks on offer, ideal for a dividend portfolio.

Second and fourth place in my individual share portfolio are still occupied by $WMT (+9.75%) and $SAP (+9.54%) . Walmart can now prove that it acts as a stable anchor in the portfolio even in bad times. In sixth place is a stock that I did not expect to be in the top 10. Like me, many of you have shares in $WM (+3.04%) but the stock I am looking for is its competitor: $RSG (+1.35%) . I have been watching the rise of this stock even before the pressure from Trump and I am happy about it. This is an example of a defensive stock. Garbage collection is necessary and Republic Services, like Waste Management, will literally turn garbage into gold for shareholders 50 years from now. Anyone complaining about their portfolio being down 50% probably has too much tech and too little defensive. My overall portfolio currently stands at around -12%. That's OK in the current macro environment.

Which brings us to the subject of performance: $NKE0 and $DHR (+8.77%) returned around -39% at the end of March.

➡️ ETFs

They are also recording significant losses. It is important to remain calm and continue investing. Such phases are part of the game. I will not repeat further details.

➡️ Distributions

In March, I received 31 distributions on 15 payout days. I am grateful for this additional income stream. Everyone should build up such additional income.

This time, the distributions from my three large ETFs were not made on March 31, but in the first few days of April. This means that there should theoretically be 34 distributions. Numerous corrections and cancellations of dividends from REITs were not taken into account. With $O (+3.37%) , $OHI (+0.03%) , $LTC (-2.03%) and $STAG (+7.3%) there were therefore some cancellations and new dividend distributions. Although this was a major bureaucratic effort, it was usually a cause for celebration. This is because the REITs initially distribute dividends from current net income. If there are then corrections in the following year, it is determined that a distribution is also made from the already taxed retained earnings. This subsequently reduces the company's tax burden and I have noticed that I pay less capital gains tax and solidarity surcharge. So more cash in my pocket for reinvestment.

➡️ Cashback

In March, I received a small amount of income from an expense report, which I invested directly in my custody account. More on this under subsequent purchases.

➡️ Subsequent purchases

The additional purchases were financed from the expense report and, above all, from the bonus paid out by my employer. I am grateful for this, as my employer is not doing well at the moment.

I made numerous additional purchases in several ETFs that are in my small old portfolios. I invested smaller sums $GGRP (+8.82%) , $JEGP (+9.58%) , $SPYW (+5.99%) , $FGEQ (+0.99%) and $SPYD (+7.05%) and bought a larger sum in shares of the $IWDP. On the last Friday in March, I checked my portfolio and realized that, despite careful use of the surplus, there was more cash left than I had expected. I therefore made a small additional purchase in the $VNA (+1.8%) . For me, Vonovia (like the REITs) is a kind of hedge against my own rising rent.

➡️ P2P loans

With my last P2P platform, Mintos, there were no interest or redemption payments. I still intend to withdraw all funds where released. I would even accept a full write-off to get out of the platform. The remaining amount is no longer relevant to me.

➡️ Crypto

Crypto investors continued to experience significant volatility in March. The double top predicted by some does not seem to be materializing and the indicators do not currently point to a steep rise. I am studying the charting and the macro environment for crypto, although I still have a lot to learn here. Patience and calm are still required. I am sticking to my cycle strategy, the macro situation confirms me, so there is no need for me to take any action.

➡️ And what else?

I'm currently deepening my knowledge of AI. The posts on my Instagram channel that I published in March (and others that will follow in April) were created with the help of AI. I explained my approaches, beliefs about finance and the frugal lifestyle, and my goals to AI. The AI then created suggestions for Instagram posts, including prompts and allowing for a week break at the end of the month.

There is still a lot for me to learn. I am using AI more and more intensively and deeply in my professional and private life. While colleagues are happy that an AI can write emails for them, I use it much more extensively, for example to have technical content and its effects on departments and companies explained to me at work or to have economic relationships explained to me in my private life. In addition to ChatGPT, I particularly like Grok by X, as this AI always asks questions and thus enables a fluid conversation. The AI doesn't just reproduce facts, but also evaluates my ideas and classifies them, for example whether I should already use part of my nest egg to buy more quality stocks at favorable prices. Her suggestion was perhaps to wait until after the refinancing of short-term US government debt, when there might be less downward volatility in the market. This recommendation is based on my thesis mentioned above.

March was also a month of fasting for me, not for religious reasons, but because I want to and always intend to. I like to use the time after fasting to change my habits, adjust my diet and vary my sports units and routines. For me, this is particularly easy after fasting - the time afterwards generally feels like a new beginning.

➡️ Outlook

In April we will continue to see negative signs in the portfolio. I have now placed a limit order, which I hope will be triggered. The annual electricity bill is also due. I'm curious to see how much will be returned, the refund will certainly go into the custody account. It will also become clear whether I will increase my discount due to higher electricity costs. Until then!

Links:

Social media links can be found in my profile, you can also take a look at the Instagram version of my review.

Automatic reinvestment of dividends with Ing.

From €75 for ETFs and free of charge.

I like it

Last year, there was a distinct lack of snow in December. Instead, the portfolio did really well and I made progress with my crypto sell-off strategy. A small cold in the fall, despite taking good precautions, set me back in terms of ice bathing and hiking, but fortunately I was healthy again by Christmas. Unfortunately, that wasn't all... Time for a look back.

I present the following points for the past month of December 2024:

➡️ SHARES

➡️ ETFS

➡️ DISTRIBUTIONS

➡️ CASHBACK

➡️ AFTER-PURCHASES

➡️ P2P CREDITS

➡️ CRYPTO

➡️ WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT

➡️ OUTLOOK

➡️ Shares

$AVGO (+17.44%) is back on the tube. Wow, at +276%, the stock is now up for me. After the share cooled down a little, it went to the moon again in December.

$NFLX (+9.52%) and $SAP (+9.54%) are on a par with the previous month in terms of performance and are still in 3rd and 4th place in terms of volume. $WMT (+9.75%) . The retail chain will soon become a doubler for me.

The red lanterns will once again go to the usual suspects $NKE (+10.96%) , $DHR (+8.77%) and $CPB (+3.99%) . In terms of performance, all three stocks are down between -30% and -20%. They are the smallest positions in my main share portfolio with the $DHL (+7.9%) However, across all portfolios, the smallest positions are the new additions $SHEL (+6.45%) and $HSBA (+6.28%) .

➡️ ETFs

The ETFs are doing their thing as usual. This month, I immediately invested a refund from the previous year's utility bill in the $GGRP (+8.82%) and $JEGP (+9.58%) invested. I'm always expanding this asset class in particular with cash inflows. I don't care about timing. The money should go into the assets so that the stream of distributions keeps growing. I buy income and want cash flow.

➡️ Distributions

I received 34 distributions on 14 payout days in December. I am grateful for this additional income stream. My minimum target has been met anyway in this high-distribution month. The snowball rolling down the slope is getting bigger and bigger.

I already donated part of the dividend at the beginning of the month. This is based on the conviction that you can (and should) give something back, no matter how small, if you have the opportunity to do so.

➡️ Cashback

In November, I received €6 from redeemed Payback points, the equivalent of which I transferred from my grocery account to my settlement account. As already mentioned, there was also a credit from the utility bill. REWE and Penny have now separated from Payback, while Edeka, Netto Markendiscount and Marktkauf have joined. All three new stores are not in my immediate vicinity, which is why I will earn fewer Payback points in future. I will most likely collect the points mainly at DM. REWE and Penny now have their own bonus programs. REWE's will be exciting, as I can also save up credit with my purchases. I will deduct this discount from my grocery account and invest it in the same way as before. I'll see over the year whether it pays off more than Payback did back then.

➡️ Subsequent purchases

As already mentioned, there were additional purchases at $JEGP (+9.58%) , $GGRP (+8.82%) and $SPYD (+7.05%) . I always invest every little return or leftover money to further increase my portfolio. This buys me freedom.

➡️ P2P loans

I was finally able to get rid of Peerberry. Now only Mintos is hanging on my leg like a log. A mid-double-digit amount, which has long since defaulted, is still waiting to be refunded or written off.

This asset class will soon be history for me.

➡️ Crypto

All in all, December was another exciting month for crypto investors. Limit orders were triggered again for me. The last tranches $LINK (-2.42%) have left me, as has a first tranche $UNI (-2.51%) and a first tranche $BTC (-1.52%) . I have invested the proceeds in $HSBA (+6.28%) and $SHEL (+6.45%) invested in the separate portfolio. I have already explained my underlying strategy in detail, which you can read about in my articles. Recently, the crypto market has been in a sideways phase again. I'm hoping for another breakout in January to trigger further limit orders, as I still need to buy a security so that the separate portfolio pays me a return each month. So far, only two out of three quarterly months are covered. The two new stocks have even performed well in this short period of time, gaining around +3.6% within a month. The last purchase will perhaps be an ETF. You will see more about this in the coming reviews. I am already looking forward to collecting again in the coming bear market and will then certainly write an extra post with the levels at which I will gradually enter again.

➡️ What is really important

I remember December as a good month in financial terms, but unfortunately Christmas was overshadowed by tragic events this time.

After recovering from my cold at the beginning of the month a few days before Christmas Eve and getting back to my daily routine (consisting of work, running, ice swimming, hiking and my love of finance), I received the terrible news from Magdeburg. I am simply stunned and ask myself "why?". I am not affected, I am not one of the bereaved and I don't know any of the victims, the wounded or the bereaved personally, yet this event brought me down on the evenings around the Christmas holidays. Loyal readers know that I am working on a closer relationship with my ex's kids. Even though my blood doesn't run through their veins, questions ran through my mind about what if they were affected by the horrific act, or me? It could have happened anywhere. At least in the event of my untimely demise, I also made appropriate arrangements in the last few days of the year to ensure that what I leave behind ends up where I want it to be. I spent the turn of the year with the kids and the time I spent with them was the best end to the year imaginable. It's nice when connections continue to exist and you remain part of the life of the Kampfzwerge and can continue to accompany them through life.

➡️ Outlook

New year, new luck. I'll be surprised what the new year will bring. There will be a separate post for the evaluation of 2024 as a whole. I'm particularly happy because I exceeded an important goal despite a few expenses.

Links:

Social media links can be found in my profile, you can also check out the Instagram version of my review.

Weekly at TR

$GGRP (+8.82%)
$TDIV (+6.44%)
$JEGP (+9.58%)
$JEPQ (+10.85%)
$FGEQ (+0.99%)

It continues at Ing, but only monthly

On the 7. $SPYD (+7.05%)
$VUSA (+10.34%) and $HMWO (+9.11%)

I hope I can keep up the pace with the savings plans 🤣 as they say @Simpson ? "For a simple man" (and I count myself among them) this will be a challenge. If so, and I hope nothing extraordinary comes up, then that's a great sum for me/us to put aside and create value.

Oskar is still marginally involved with the VL, but my employer is a bit stingy about that.

Happy new year, good luck in 2025 and, above all, stay healthy, otherwise it's all for nothing anyway. What you do for

Disclaimer: No investment advice or recommendation, this article is for information purposes only. Before you decide on an ETF, take a closer look at it in terms of positions

take a closer look at positions, sampling, regions, etc. I can't describe all of this

I can't describe everything, as it would go beyond the scope of this article

Part 1 (definition, categories & Z-score and quality factor): https://getqu.in/RCSY4a/

Part 2 (Value ETF): https://getqu.in/Nfnhqb/

Part 3 (Low Volatility ETF): https://getqu.in/Ub7KpG/

Part 4 (Momentum ETF): https://getqu.in/CNMgGw/

Part 5 (Small and Growth ETF): https://getqu.in/0NoqmW/

What are dividend ETFs?

Abbreviated what dividends are, since everyone here probably knows this: distributions by a company to its shareholders, the amount is usually voted on at the annual general meeting and is usually paid out of profits, but does not have to be (if it is paid out of the substance, this is often counted as a bad indicator).

Dividend ETFs are therefore primarily ETFs that distribute the dividends paid by companies to the ETF holders; they are also referred to as distributing ETFs (Dist.). In contrast, an accumulating (Acc.) ETF uses the dividends to buy more shares, i.e. it reinvests.

Because the dividend ETF distributes money, I get cash flows back from my investments, usually on a quarterly basis. These ETFs are celebrated - especially on social media - as a form of passive income and have their advantages but also disadvantages, which we will examine in more detail below.

Dividends as a value premium (CAPM /French Fama model)

Short recap (in more detail in part 5): French Fama's 3 factor model raises beta (volatility), size- and value-premium as factors to determine the expected return of an investment. Dividends are not explicitly mentioned as a factor, but they are indirectly included in the value and beta factors, as a company must first be able to afford to pay dividends.

must first afford to pay dividends. Growth and small-cap companies

often do not yet pay dividends, as the revenue generated is used for more growth

growth or the balance sheets are not yet as sustainable. Dividend payers often have a stronger balance sheet, which makes them less volatile to changes in interest rates, for example (although this reduces the expected return according to the CAPM). Exceptions are high dividend payers, which are often riskier and reward investors with a high dividend for holding the share.

The fact that dividends also count as a quality factor can be clearly seen in the dividend aristocrats. These are companies that have been paying dividends continuously for 25 years and increase them annually. This makes them particularly attractive, which is why they can also be invested in via individual products such as the $SPYD (+7.05%) are investable.

Dividends are also included as a valuation factor in the Quality ETF as a positive valuation criterion (see also Index Methodology Part 1)

Historically, several studies for the US market show an outperformance of dividend stocks, especially even high dividend payers:

https://www.hartfordfunds.com/insights/market-perspectives/strategic-beta-etfs/what-drives-dividend-stock-performance.html

https://www.globalxetfs.com/content/files/High-Dividend-Stocks-In-Rising-Interest-Rate-Environments.pdf

In the recent past, however

However, high-dividend stocks have underperformed in the recent past, with the ACWI High

Dividend has significantly underperformed the MSCI ACWI over the last 10 years (- 100 %).

Classes of dividend ETF?

In my view, dividend ETFs can be roughly divided into 3 categories:

- Dividend as a windfall: The focus of the ETF is not on dividends, but some companies are included in the index that pay dividends and these are then distributed to the holder. A classic example is the dividend-paying $VWRL.

- Quality dividend: The focus is on achieving dividends, but these are accompanied by quality factors such as dividend aristocrats or quality dividend ETFs

- High Dividend: The highest dividend yields are targeted here, whereby quality factors may play less of a role.

Why high dividend yields can be a problem

Unfortunately, I have often overheard conversations that sound like: "VW is so cheap, you get a 10% dividend yield, you can't go wrong". But that brings us to the problem of high dividend yields, because these are often a signal of structural weakness in the company and/or a sharp fall in the share price. If the dividend yield remains at this level, this could seriously jeopardize the company's long-term financial strength. If the dividend yield remains

and is even reduced, the original investment case is invalidated.

So even if the unsystemic individual risk in ETFs often "diversifies away", it is important to take another look at the largest positions and check whether this is not a structurally weakening company.

Advantages of dividends

In addition to the potential value premium mentioned above, dividends fulfill a different purpose at an individual level, depending on the stage of life: for most people reading this, this purpose is likely to be psychological, as they are not dependent on the cash flow from dividends.

cash flow from dividends. The dividends are then a nice motivational effect and

offer the "peace of mind" of a steady income even in the event of market setbacks

and therefore less worry about declining book profits.

Once you have reached an advanced age, the dividend offers a high comfort factor. This means that there is often no need for rebalancing or a withdrawal plan, as would be the case with accumulating ETFs. The dividends are then used as additional income for retirement; of course, withdrawals can also be made, but not to the same extent as would be necessary with accumulating ETFs.

would be necessary.

Disadvantages of dividends

Taxes! Because payments are distributed to the holder, capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge (26.375% in total) and, if applicable, church tax are also due. This tax is first deducted before I can reinvest the dividends, and reinvesting the dividends costs extra (even with neobrokers via the spread between the ask and bid price). Dividends therefore have a detrimental effect on the compound interest effect of the ETF's profits.

Although accumulating ETFs have been brought somewhat into line with dividend ETFs in terms of taxation with the advance lump sum taxation, they still offer the advantage that the tax burden is always lower than for dividend payers (if the dividend ETF has distributed less than the advance lump sum, an advance lump sum is also charged).

Another negative aspect that goes hand in hand with the above is market timing. Often not every small dividend is reinvested directly, but accumulated until, for example, EUR 1,000 is reached in the clearing account. If the market has then run away, you wait for a setback and may miss the entry or at least lose the lost performance where the money was sitting in the settlement account without earning interest.

account without interest. There is also more work involved in the savings phase due to the necessary reinvestments.

Tax comparison high-dividend vs accumulating (example 2024)

Assumption that the tax-free amount has already been exhausted

Investment amount: 100,000

ETF1: Vanguard FTSE ACWI High Dividend ($VHYL (+5.77%))

ETF2: iShares MSCI ACWI ETF ($ISAC (+7.85%) )

Tax Burden High Dividend:

Price at the beginning of the year: EUR 57

Shares: 100,000 / 57 = 1,754.39

Dividend per share: EUR 1.94

Absolute dividends: EUR 3,403.51

Partial exemption ratio: 30%

Tax (26.375 %) = EUR 628.38

Tax burden accumulating ACWI

Fund value at the beginning of the year: EUR 100,000

Prime rate 2023 (for 2024): 2.55%

Base yield (70%): EUR 1,785

Partial exemption rate: 30%

Up-front lump sum: EUR 1,249.50

Tax (26.375%) = EUR 329.56

There is a tax disadvantage of around EUR 300, which is thus withdrawn from compound interest.

For whom are dividend ETFs worthwhile?

In summary, the disadvantages of strongly dividend-oriented investing outweigh the advantages for me. Of course, there are many shades of gray between focusing on high dividends and reinvesting. Dividends as an addition - especially as they often come with a premium - make perfect sense, but the explicit focus on high dividends can be dangerous and has tax disadvantages.

Dividend ETFs are therefore primarily for investors who want to generate income regardless of the current market phase and appreciate the stability of the cash flow. If the dividends also ensure that you can sleep better at night when the market fluctuates and are not tempted to panic sell, then the small tax disadvantage is no reason not to invest.

the small tax disadvantage is no reason not to invest in dividends. Also

It also has its charm to have a less intensive withdrawal phase in old age.

withdrawal phase. So if you are emotionally affected by market fluctuations, appreciate regular income and are convinced of the dividend premium (as part of the value premium), then dividend ETFs are just right for you.

👉Dividends-ETFs:

Performance comparisons incl. dividends

$VHYL (+5.77%) (World | TER 0, % | Tracking Difference -0.04 % | DivRendite 3 %| EUR 5 bn invested volume | 3Y underperformance vs. MSCI World - 5 %pt | 5Y underperformance vs. ACWI - 30 %pt | 10Y underperformance vs. ACWI -100%pt)

• Index methodology: Based on the FTSE All-World Index, which includes large and mid-cap companies from developed and emerging markets worldwide. REITs are excluded. Companies are sorted according to the expected 12-month dividend yield and the stocks with the highest dividend yield are selected. The aim is to achieve around 50% of the market capitalization of the original index and then to weight these companies according to their size in the index.

$TDIV (+6.44%) (World | TER 0.38 % | TD 0.47 % | Div yield 4.3 % | EUR 1.2 bn invested | 3Y outperformance vs. ACWI + 18 %pt | 5Y underperformance vs. ACWI - 7 %pt | 8Y underperformance vs. ACWI - 38%pt)

• Index methodology: Screening for consistent dividend payers with ESG relevance. Weighting by dividend max. 5% per share and max. 40% per sector. Selection of 100 stocks with the highest dividend yield. Semi-annual rebalancing

$SPYD (+7.05%) (US | TER 0.35 % | TD -0.07 % | Dividend yield 1.5 % | 3.5 bn invested | 3Y underperformance vs. S&P 500 -23 %pt | 5Y underperformance vs. S&P 500 - 63 %pt. | 10Y underperformance vs. S&P 500 - 283%pt.)

• Index methodology: Includes components of the S&P Composite 1500, then selects for companies with the highest dividend yield whose dividends have been increased for the last 20 consecutive years. Furthermore, minimum requirements for market capitalization and liquidity of the share must be met. Maximum weighting per share 4%.

$SPYW (+5.99%) (Europe | TER 0.30 % | TD -0.35 % | DivRendite 3.7 % | 3Y underperformance vs.

Eurostoxx 600 - 1 %pt. | 5Y underperformance vs. Eurostoxx 600 - 24 %pt | 10Y underperformance vs. Eurostoxx 600 - 28 %pt.)

• Index methodology: Based on the S&P Europe Broad Market Index, companies must have increased or maintained stable dividends for 10 consecutive years, selection of the 40 companies with the highest dividend yield and weighting accordingly. Max. 5 % per share, 30 % per country/sector.

Conclusion - what remains: A balanced strategy with dividends as an admixture can make sense, whereby the focus should be on quality dividends rather than high payouts.

#smartbeta
#etf
#dividende

$SPYD (+7.05%) my last outstanding dividend for this year has thus been announced

0.3522$ (currently 0.336€) - this means that the total distribution for this ETF for the year in € is down by approx. 3%.

https://www.ssga.com/ie/en_gb/intermediary/resources/documents/dividend-distributions

The popular $O (+3.37%) is currently the second largest position in this ETF with 2.18%.

Payment on 31.12. and then it's rum again with 2024 😅