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 (+1.74%) and its companion $NFLX (-0.88%) 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 (-1.26%) and $SAP (-0.87%) . 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 (-0.35%) but the stock I am looking for is its competitor: $RSG (+2.13%) . 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 (-0.72%) 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 (-1.32%) , $OHI (-0.52%) , $LTC (-0.73%) and $STAG (-0.48%) 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 (-0.84%) , $JEGP (-0.56%) , $SPYW (-0.43%) , $FGEQ (-0.63%) and $SPYD (-1.27%) 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 (-0.64%) . 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.
