Rather more $GOOG (+0.96%) ... and Cash.

Dear friends of Getquin,

I'm usually a silent reader, but if everyone just reads, eventually there's no more reading material, is there? So today I want to share my story with you.

The beginnings:

It's hard for me to say exactly when my journey began, but I do know that I developed a fascination with money as a child. My first "investment" was when I was about 7 or 8 years old, when I bought an ounce of gold with my own pocket money. At that time, no one in my family had anything to do with investments, but I had seen it in my mother's bank when I often accompanied her there. I was fascinated by the shiny coins and wanted to know how I could have a piece myself.

Then, around the turn of the millennium, I saw my father, together with a "great" bank advisor, invest the entire family savings in the middle of the dotcom bubble. The result: a massive loss within a few months. But my mother, who was at home at the time, fought hard and was miraculously able to recoup the losses. I was about 9 or 10 years old at the time and watched her sit in front of the PC every day and look at the figures. From that moment on, I was hooked! I started using an Excel spreadsheet to track which shares I would have bought at what price and watched the performance of my fictitious investments with great interest every day after school.

The first few years:

My mother stopped day trading after about a year and went back to work. However, shares were no longer an issue for me until I was 26.

Getting into real shares:

In 2018, in the summer, as a die-hard Juventus fan, I read about an article on the transfer of CR7 and how Juventus shares went through the roof. I was there again! At that time, however, I only had a small income as a working student. My father, who had failed with his investments in the past, gave me €2,000 - and I bought Juventus shares. However, he made me promise him that I would never invest in shares again. How did the story end? The "trade" with Juventus was a success, but I had to pay taxes for the first time - and I still hate that to this day.

The first losses:

After my Juventus adventure, I began to delve deeper into the matter. I tried out recommendations from "Aktionär" and repeatedly bet on individual shares for smaller trades. It was more of a game, but I generally remained profitable - sometimes a few percent profit, sometimes a few percent loss. Thanks to the profits and additional deposits, I built up my portfolio to €18,000 until I was hit by Wirecard. In the end, I had to accept a loss of around €6,000. It was painful, but not life-threatening - and I learned a lot from this mistake. In particular, I made the mistake of constantly buying more. If I had left it at the original position of € 1,500, the loss would probably not have been so dramatic.

Don't give up:

After the Wirecard debacle, I radically rethought my strategy. I increasingly focused on conservative companies, regular dividend payers and low growth. But here, too, I realized that I was underperforming the market. So I adapted my strategy further and took a long-term approach. I have since been able to slowly recoup my losses.

The clean cut - a new start:

In the summer of 2023, I needed all my assets for a private housing project and decided to make a real "fresh start". I sold all the positions in my portfolio and only kept my ETF savings plans with TradeRepublic.

The new era:

When the housing project was completed, I wanted to build up a new portfolio with the money I had left over - and here you can see the result. My aim is to find companies that are growing strongly and have a solid moat. Dividends are nice, but not a must. My portfolio also contains defensive, boring stocks as a healthy addition. At the same time, I try to further expand my ETF positions through one-off purchases - I stopped my regular ETF savings plans at the end of January 2025. I have also invested a little in crypto and gold on the side. I have made further investments in Lego (€500), Pokémon (€1,000) and Counterstrike cases (€3,000), but these are not part of the public list - that would be too costly for me.

Fun fact:

My cash ratio has never been higher than €3,000 since I first entered the stock market (2018). This is currently an exception because I want to build up a cash reserve for the next generation.

Goal:

I don't have a specific, set goal when it comes to my investments. It's more of a hobby for me. I just enjoy seeing how my portfolio grows and how I can accompany exciting companies and be a small part of them as they develop. For me, it feels a bit like collecting: I enjoy discovering interesting companies, investing in them and watching them develop over the long term.

Thank you:

A big thank you goes to Goldesel Investing and Markus Koch, who have been with me since my first stock market steps. Without you, the share culture in German-speaking countries would certainly not be as strong! And of course a big thank you to Getquin - I've always dreamed of a platform like this! 0% bullshit, 100% investments.

I hope you like the revised version! The text is now more clearly structured, reads more smoothly and still retains your personal style.

Please let me know if you liked my story!

A little tip: My Bitpanda portfolio has a longer history, but I was too lazy to enter everything manually. I also didn't want to take over the history because, as I said, I wanted to start a new chapter in my investment history in November 2023. Overall, however, my crypto track is up €3000-4000.

$CSPX (+1.39%)
$ETH (-2.63%)
$BLK (+1.93%)
$GS (+2.27%)
$XDWD (+1.34%)
$V (-0.24%)
$MC (-0.17%)
$MS (+1.75%)
$QCOM (+4.53%)
$JNJ (-0.9%)
$ASML (+1.82%)
$RBOT (+2.13%)
$LOCK (+1.49%)
$MRK (+0.07%)
$UNP (-2.66%)
$NKE (+0.3%)
$QDV5 (-0.25%)
$MA (+0.36%)
$TGT (+2.53%)
$PEP (-5.42%)
$NU (+1.69%)
$AAPL (+0.99%)
$TSLA (+0.8%)
$DOGE (-0.2%)
$BTC (-1.09%)
$BRK.B (+0.27%)
$PEPE (-3.59%)

$UNP (-2.66%) Pacific reported net income of $1.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, up from $1.7 billion a year earlier, as higher rail freight volumes led to record profits.

The largest Class 1 railroad reported full-year 2024 net income of $6.7 billion, up from $6.4 billion in 2023.

"We had a very successful year in 2024 with an operating ratio of over 58%," said CEO Jim Vena in an interview with analysts and media. "This demonstrates how our team executed strategy, safety and service for overall operational excellence."

"It was a fantastic end to 2024."

While wagonload volumes increased by 5% year-on-year, operating revenue fell by 1% to USD 6.1 billion in the fourth quarter, which ended on December 31. This was due to lower income from fuel surcharges and an unfavorable business mix. However, this was partially offset by higher volumes and core price increases.

Intermodal traffic increased by 16% in the quarter, but average revenue per car fell by 9% compared to the previous year.

Due to strong import demand, international intermodal volumes increased by 26%, outperforming the strong container flows via the West Coast ports.

Domestic intermodal traffic grew as the railroads took more and more shipments away from trucks.

The number of wagonloads sold rose by 5 %, particularly for fertilizers (up 3 %) and grain and chemicals (up 8 %).

Coal revenues continued their long-term decline, falling 29% in the quarter, but UP expects to partially offset this decline in 2025 under a new contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority of Texas, an electric utility.

Grain benefited from a good harvest and strong export business to Mexico, while demand for plastics also increased, Kenny Rocker, executive vice president of marketing and sales, said in the conference call. "There was weaker demand for building materials, sand and stone. We are closely monitoring potential tariff changes that could impact volumes. We expect a weaker economic environment in 2025."

Freight volumes are to be increased through ongoing project developments worth 1.5 billion US dollars. A particular target in this area is the Gulf Coast.

The operating ratio was 58.7%, an improvement of 220 basis points, whereby the ratification of a new wage agreement had an unfavorable effect of 70 basis points.

Operating income increased 5% to a record $2.5 billion.

"There are a lot of unknowns in 2025 - tariffs, regulatory changes, interest rates - but it's been that way for the 40-plus years I've been in the railroad business. It is what it is," said Vena, who began his career as a train conductor. "Operating with a 'buffer' in wagons, locomotives and operational capacity has paid off. We expect high single-digit to low double-digit growth in 2025."

Source: freightwaves.com

2024

Portfolio value (performance neutral)

Target 52 000€ -> +18 000€

Achieved 62 300€ -> +28 300€

Target 2025 -> 77 000€

Gross dividend

Target 1000€

Achieved 1018€

expected 2025 -> 1290€+

Daily allowance

Target 12 000€

Reached 13 300€

I would like to reach €15,000 by the end of 2025.

As I have an annual commute of 22,000 km, I'll have to buy a new car in 4 - 5 years' time if my current one no longer works.

In addition, several positions were sold in Q3 - Q4 ($O (-1.6%)
$BATS (-0.55%)
$SIX2 (+3.36%)
$ARCC (+1.46%)
$CVS (-0.39%)
$UNP (-2.66%)$NESN (+0.5%) ) and the focus was also placed on higher growth and dividend growth.

In principle, I have nothing against $UNP (-2.66%) but I see the growth opportunities at $CP (+0%) higher as well as a higher profit margin as soon as the acquisition of Kansas City has been optimally integrated into the company in order to work more efficiently.

I set up a custody account with Scalable Capital last week.

In addition to my cash flow depotwhich currently pays me a dividend of €709.45 next year (see picture), I will set up a savings plan custody account there.

This savings plan custody account will have a term of 20 years+.

I will pay in €495 per month and divide it between 15 companies as follows:

$GOOGL (+1.35%) - 33€

$AMZN (+1.94%) - 33€

$AAPL (+0.99%) -33€

$ASML (+1.82%) - 33€

$FAST (+1.51%) - 33€

$JNJ (-0.9%) - 33€

$MC (-0.17%) - 33€

$MCD (-1.72%) - 33€

$MSFT (+1.73%) - 33€

$NOVO B (+1.55%) - 33€

$PEP (-5.42%) - 33€

$PG (-3.95%) - 33€

$UNP (-2.66%) - 33€

$UNH (-0.78%) - 33€

$V (-0.24%) - 33€

The savings plans will be executed for the first time on Monday and then continue on a monthly basis.

I will post a monthly update here

I am currently considering parting with $DHL (+0.68%) and instead $UNP (-2.66%) instead. I still have a 35-40 year investment horizon and am convinced that logistics will continue to be needed. My investment case for DHL was primarily the global positioning and distribution (see also Formula 1 sponsorship), but the persistently poor figures give me pause for thought. These are much better at Union Pacific, but they are only focused on the USA, which would increase my exposure there even more.

What do you think? What would you choose or do you know other companies in this sector that you think are better?

$UNP (-2.66%)

Union Pacific Q3 24 results: First look

Largest US railroad company increases freight volume and revenue

Union Pacific Corp. announced that third quarter net income was $1.7 billion, or $2.75 per diluted share, an increase from net income of $1.5 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share, in the same period of 2023.

"Our third quarter results demonstrate the success of our strategy," Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a press release. "Improved safety and service performance supported solid revenue growth, which we were able to translate into double-digit improvement in operating income and earnings per share in the third quarter."

"The entire Union Pacific team is focused on meeting the expectations of our customers and shareholders and is energized to build on these successes to achieve sustainable long-term success."

The Omaha-based company (NYSE: UNP) and operator of the largest U.S. railroad said operating revenue of $6.1 billion increased 3%, driven by volume increases and higher core pricing, partially offset by business mix and lower fuel surcharge revenue.

Freight revenue excluding fuel surcharges increased by 5%, while carloads sold increased by 6%.

The operating ratio, i.e. operating costs as a percentage of revenue, an important indicator, was 60.3%, an improvement of 310 basis points. Lower fuel prices in the quarter had a positive effect on the operating ratio, namely by 120 basis points.

Operating profit increased by 11% to USD 2.4 billion.

Quarterly freight car speed increased by 5% to 210 miles per day per car. Locomotive productivity increased by 5% to 135 gross ton miles (GTM) per horsepower day. Fuel consumption increased by 1% to 1.058 gallons of fuel per thousand GTM.

The quarterly productivity of the workforce rose by 12% to 1,102 car miles per employee. Both the year-to-date reportable personal injury and reportable derailment rates improved.

Looking ahead, the company expects fourth quarter results to be in line with the third quarter and to improve year-on-year compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. "Profitability will continue its positive momentum thanks to strong service products, improved network efficiency and solid pricing," the company said.

Union Pacific plans $1.5 billion in share repurchases in 2024, pricing will outpace inflation and the long-term capital allocation strategy remains unchanged with $3.4 billion of planned investments.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

I had expected Union Pacific $UNP (-2.66%) much further ahead.

I will now carry out an analysis and then place a first tranche in $CAT (+1.98%) put.

What do you think is a fair entry point?

What we can expect from tomorrow:

Monday:

• SAP ($SAP (-0.63%)) Verizon, Communications ($VZ (+0.25%)) Ryanair Holdings ($RYAAY (+5.18%)),
• Truist Financial ($TFC (+0.8%)) report figures

Tuesday:

• Existing property sales (June)
• Alphabet ($GOOGL (+1.35%)), Tesla ($TSLA (+0.8%)), Visa ($V (-0.24%)), Coca-Cola ($KO (-1.29%)), GE Aerospace ($GE (+0.99%)), Comcast ($CMCSA (-5.08%)), United Parcel Service ($UPS (+1.12%)) report figures

Wednesday:

• S&P Global Flash Composite U.S. PMI (July)
• New real estate sales (June)
• Advance International Trade (June)
• Advance retail inventories (June)
• Advance wholesale stocks (June)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific ($TMO), IBM ($IBM (-2.8%)), ServiceNow ($NOW (+3.57%)), AT&T ($T (+1.31%)) report figures

Thursday:

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Q2)
• Durable goods orders (June)
• FigVie ($ABBV (+1.22%)), AstraZeneca ($AZN (+0.88%)), Union Pacific Corp ($UNP (-2.66%)), Unilever ($UL (-0.88%)), Honeywell International ($HON (+1.43%)) - report figures

Friday:

• Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Index (June)
• Consumer Sentiment (July)
• Bristol Myers Squibb ($BMY (-0.22%)), Colgate-Palmolive ($CL (-1.46%)), 3M ($MMM (+1.45%)) report figures

What a wild day in the portfolio. Individual stocks went from -9% to +5%. Who had a similar experience - even if it doesn't matter in the long term?

$ULVR (-0.14%)
$UNP (-2.66%)
$BMY (-0.22%)