Hello everyone,

My name is Antonio, I'm almost 27 years old and I'm from Bremen. I currently work as a train manager at Deutsche Bahn. Anyone who knows the job knows that chaos is almost guaranteed here. If a train is on time, everyone wonders what's going wrong. Delays, strikes, unforeseen events - you get used to the fact that nothing goes as expected. And that's exactly how I felt on the stock market: constantly chasing hypes, always on the lookout for quick profits, and in the end I never knew whether the train was still on the right track. I experienced just as much chaos on the markets as I did in my day-to-day work - but fortunately I've learned from it and am now looking for a fresh start where everything is a bit more orderly and predictable.

I've made a lot of mistakes on the stock market in the past. And not too few - unfortunately. Like many of you, I had the idea that the stock market would make me a quick buck. I let myself be led by hypes, trends and the desire for immediate results. I wasn't interested in investing for the long term or building a solid foundation for the future, I was only ever interested in making a quick profit. Leveraged products, knock-out certificates - it was all there. It felt like a casino where the loss was usually the only "win". And so it came as it had to: I not only lost money, but also confidence in my own decisions and the markets.

But today, in 2025, I have realized that it is time for a fresh start. I have learned from my mistakes. It's been a long road and I've thought a lot about why I was so quick to go for the quick buck instead of investing patiently and focusing on long-term success. I learned the lessons I needed to become a better investor. Patience, diversification and a long-term perspective are now my principles. I want to create something tangible, not just a portfolio full of numbers, but also a solid, long-term strategy that will help me to continuously build my wealth.

My portfolio: A solid foundation

The portfolio I have now built up is a mix of different asset classes and asset classes. My aim is to diversify broadly and not miss out on potential growth opportunities, while spreading risk across different sectors and regions. Here is an overview of what my investment strategy looks like:

ETFs (€1000/month)

I have deliberately opted for a broad diversification and invested in different geographical regions and markets. This diversification should ensure that my capital benefits from the markets that have the greatest potential in the coming decades.

- IE00BMTX1Y45 ( $I500) (-1,33%)

- LU0908500753 ( $MEUD (-0,83%) )

- IE00BYXVGY31 ( $FUSA (-1,12%) )

- IE00BD1F4M44 ( $IUVF (-1%) )

- IE00BKM4GZ66 ( $EIMI (-1,09%) )

- LU1681041973 ( $CD9 (-0,39%) )

- LU0486851024 ( $D5BL (+0,57%) )

- IE00BYQCZN58 ( $DXJZ (-0,64%) )

- IE00BF4RFH31 ( $WSML (-1,23%) )

- IE00BG0SKF03 ( $5MVL (-1,29%) )

- IE00B652H904 ( $SEDY (-1,03%) )

- LU2089238385 ( $PRAJ (-0,79%) )

- DE000A0H0744 ( $EXXW (-0,46%) )

- IE00BFXR5W90 ( $LGAG (+0,5%) )

- LU0779800910 ( $XCHA (+0,75%) )

- HANetf Future of Defense UCITS ETF ($ASWC (-2,41%) )

So many ETFs? Does he still have all his wits about him?

Some people will think exactly that when they look at my ETF list. And yes, I admit that the portfolio is pretty broadly based - perhaps too broad for some. But that's exactly my goal. I don't want to catch the one sector or the one region that is going through the roof. I want to have everything! If a market explodes somewhere in the world, then I want to be there. Be it through large caps, small caps, growth, value, technology or emerging markets, my approach is not to miss out on potential opportunities and at the same time not to put all my eggs in one basket. Some call it overdiversification, I call it my personal "all-world approach"

The idea behind the selection of these ETFs is that I want to focus on global markets and growth regions without missing out on important sectors such as technology, healthcare and energy. The USA (with over 55% of my portfolio) remains the central component due to its economic importance and innovative strength. At the same time, I am also focusing on Europe, Asia, China and emerging markets, which are increasingly among the growth markets of the future. Small caps also play a key role for me, as they often have the potential to grow faster and offer opportunities that are often overlooked by the large institutions.

Cryptocurrencies (€100/month in Bitcoin ( $BTC (-3,34%) ) €50/month in Ethereum ($ETH) (-2,49%)

I also invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum as I am convinced of the future of these digital currencies. Even if the volatility is high, I see the long-term potential of these technologies. For me, it is an opportunity to participate in the development of a new financial world.

Gold (50 €/month EUWAX Gold ($DE000EWG0LD1 (+0%) )

In uncertain times, I have realized how important it is to have conservative assets such as gold. The last few years of inflation and economic fluctuations have made me realize that gold can have a stabilizing effect, especially in times of crisis.

Individual stocks - My dividend strategy

I have also selected a few individual stocks that should not only offer me security, but also regular income through dividends. The reason for this is simple: I need something tangible, something visible. It's not just the pleasure of seeing the portfolio grow, but also the dividend that gives me the feeling of actively participating in the companies and benefiting from their success.

- 3M Co ($MMM (+0,19%) )

- Allianz ($ALV (+0,76%) )

- BioNTech ($BNTX (-3,34%) )

- Booking Holdings( $BKNG (-4,48%) )

- Coca-Cola ($KO (+0,66%) )

- LVMH ($MC (-3,29%) )

- MSCI Inc ($MSCI (-1,13%) )

- NextEra Energy($NEE (-0,66%) )

- Philip Morris ($PM (+0,18%) )

- Realty Income($O (-1,21%) )

BioNTech in particular, as a company that has promising potential not only during the pandemic but also beyond, is a long-term winner for me. Likewise NextEra Energy, which plays a key role in the renewable energy sector, and Booking Holdings, which should benefit from the global tourism trend. These companies not only pay dividends, but also show that you can benefit from a company's success with a long-term perspective.

Pension fund

I also invest in the DEVK pension fund (DE000A2PT1X3) through my employer $DE000A2PT1X3 . This fund is particularly important to me because of the generous contributions made by my employer and the solid returns. Even though the costs are somewhat higher, I see it as a long-term addition to my strategy.

Why this portfolio?

I built my portfolio this way because I believe in the potential of long-term global diversification. Rather than chasing short-term gains, I am looking for continuous value growth over many years. I want to support the right companies, benefit from promising markets and at the same time have a regular source of income through dividends.

I am no longer interested in making a quick buck. I have learned that true success in wealth accumulation lies in patience. And that's what it's all about: I want to create a solid foundation for the future - for myself, for my pension and perhaps for a house in a few years' time.

What do you think?

I'm really looking forward to hearing from you. What do you think of my strategy? Do you see any areas where I could diversify even more? Are there any asset classes or ETFs missing from my portfolio that would make sense for me? I am very keen to hear your opinions and advice.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and strategy! I look forward to your feedback.

Best regards,

Antonio

The markets remain volatile and in times of crisis many investors look for stable investments. But which sectors and companies have historically proven to be particularly resilient or could even benefit?

Consumer staples - products that will always be needed

Companies such as Procter & Gamble $PG (+0,17%) Nestlé $NESN (+1,05%) or Coca-Cola $KO (+0,66%) benefit from their strong market position and stable cash flows. People are always buying household products, food and beverages.

Healthcare sector - crisis-resistant growth stocks

Companies such as Johnson & Johnson $JNJ (+0,27%) , Eli Lilly $LLY (-1,82%) or Novo Nordisk $NOVO B (-2,81%) supply medicines and treatments that are in demand regardless of the economic situation. There is a particular focus on the boom in diabetes and obesity therapies.

Providers - Stable income through basic care

Companies such as NextEra Energy $NEE (-0,66%) Duke Energy $DUK (-0,82%) or Southern Company $SO (+0,01%) are benefiting from the constant demand for electricity and water. Renewable energies are also playing an increasingly important role.

Commodities & gold - hedging against inflation & uncertainty

Gold mining companies such as Barrick Gold $ABX (+0,29%) or Newmont $NEM (+0,14%) often benefit in times of economic uncertainty, as investors flee to gold as protection against crises.

Defense & Armaments - Profiteers of geopolitical tensions

Rising military spending worldwide makes companies such as Lockheed Martin $LMT (+0,59%) or Northrop Grumman $NOC (+0,75%) into potential winners of long-term conflicts and global uncertainties.

This is just a small selection of companies. But hopefully it gives a small insight into the interesting crisis-proof sectors.

Defensive investors could now focus on consumer staples, healthcare and utilities for long-term stability. Opportunity-oriented investors could look to commodities, gold or defense if geopolitical tensions continue to rise.

#stockanalysis
#dividends
#growth#inspiration

An analysis by Consorsbank of over one million customer custody accounts, which is exclusively available to Handelsblatt, shows the savings behavior of Germans. According to the Bundesbank, the size of the sample corresponds to around one in 30 custody accounts held in Germany and therefore offers a representative view of the savings behavior of German investors.

According to the survey, the number of savings plans has increased compared to 2020. "Since then, the proportion of custody accounts with at least one savings plan has risen from 35.9% to 44.6%," reports Tino Benker-Schwuchow, Head of Consorsbank.

It's almost boring," says Benker-Schwuchow, "because year after year we see new sales records for ETFs." The boom in exchange-traded index funds is also noticeable in the Consorsbank custody accounts, especially in the savings plans.

"ETF savings plans are used disproportionately by people under 35," he explains. Older investors tend to invest regularly in actively managed funds and individual shares.

With an average of EUR 152 per savings plan per month, ETF and fund savings plans are in the lead.

Eight of the ten most popular ETFs track the MSCI World. Also among the top ten ETFs are the "Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF", which allows investors to invest in emerging markets, and the "Xtrackers MSCI World Information Technology UCITS ETF", which specializes in tech companies.

There is a clear focus on the United States 🇺🇸 among the most popular stocks for holders of equity savings plans. This is dominated by the major tech companies Microsoft $MSFT (-0,47%), Apple $AAPL (-0,26%), Nvidia $NVDA (-4,49%) and Amazon $AMZN (-3,25%). They occupy the first four places. They are followed by savings plans on Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B (-0,02%). The shares of the beverage company Coca-Cola $KO (+0,66%) is also regularly invested in. In seventh place is the Allianz share $ALV (+0,76%) the first and only German stock 🇩🇪 in the list of ten.

Market observers advise investors to diversify their portfolios as much as possible. "After around ten years of the tech boom, it can make sense to diversify your portfolio with an emerging market ETF or a global ETF that excludes the USA," explains financial mathematician Andreas Beck. He is head of the investment consultancy Index Capital.

Source (excerpt) & graphic: Handelsblatt,

25.02.25

Warren Buffett remains a heavyweight on the stock market. In his latest letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, he emphasizes the importance of his US holdings and shows interest in Japan. 💼

Buffett emphasizes that Berkshire holds shares in large, profitable companies such as Apple $AAPL (-0,26%)American Express $AXP (-2,45%), Coca-Cola $KO (+0,66%) and Moody's $MCO (-3,92%) . These companies generate high returns on the capital invested. At the end of the year, these investments were worth a total of USD 272 billion.

One exciting point is his strategy of buying shares when others are selling. Buffett emphasizes that it is rare for exceptional companies to be completely for sale. But fractions of these "treasures" can be bought on Wall Street from Monday to Friday.

With regard to Japan, Berkshire has increased its investments in this market. This shows that Buffett is also taking advantage of international opportunities to diversify his portfolio. Berkshire's current cash position is an impressive USD 334 billion. This means that Buffett remains one of the most influential investors in the world.

Hello everyone,

I participated in the conference call of $KO (+0,66%) (Coca-Cola) fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on Tuesday. James Quincey, the CEO, opened the conference by stating that the 2024 results are encouraging, particularly the volume growth and robust organic sales growth. He highlighted that the company was able to deliver 7% comparable earnings per share growth despite headwinds from currency losses and the impact of the refranchising of bottling operations.

He emphasized that the company's strategy is focused on agility to respond to challenges and continue to deliver earnings per share growth. He also emphasized that Coca-Cola operates in a good industry with steady growth, which opens up numerous business opportunities.

In terms of regional performance, Quincey reported volume growth in ASEAN and the South Pacific, driven by marketing campaigns and affordable refill offers. In China, the company also saw volume growth despite macroeconomic headwinds and improved the performance of brands such as Sprite, Fanta and Minute Maid through increased marketing efforts. Japan and South Korea also saw growth in the quarter, driven by innovation and a strong performance from the Coca-Cola brand. In India, business recovered and consumers were won through marketing campaigns and an expansion of digital customer platforms. In Europe, there was a mixed performance, with different trends in Western and Eastern Europe, but growth in sales and profit was still achieved. In Eurasia and the Middle East, the company returned to volume growth despite headwinds by emphasizing the local focus of the business. In Africa, volumes declined due to challenges in North Africa and Nigeria, but were partially offset by strong momentum in South Africa. In Latin America, volume, sales and profit increased despite macroeconomic pressures, with a focus on digital platforms and single-dose pack offerings. In North America, the company also saw growth in transactions, volume, sales and profit, with the Coca-Cola brand and Fairlife leading the way in retail.

The financial results were also discussed in more detail. In the fourth quarter, organic sales increased by 14%, with sales volume increasing by 2%. Comparable gross margin increased approximately 160 basis points and comparable operating margin increased 80 basis points. Comparable earnings per share were $0.55, an increase of 12% over the prior year.

For 2025, the company expects organic revenue growth of 5% to 6% and comparable currency-neutral earnings per share growth of 8% to 10%.

Various topics were addressed in the subsequent Q&A session. The general assessment of the consumer climate was stable with sustained demand, but with challenges for lower-income groups in developed markets. The importance of pricing was emphasized, with the price/mix expected to normalize somewhat in 2025 as the influence of hyperinflationary countries wanes.

The impact of GLP-1 drugs (weight loss injections) on consumer behavior was also discussed and it was noted that there has not been a major impact on the business to date.

In summary, Coca-Cola has seen a positive performance in 2024 and is confident of achieving its targets for 2025, focusing on its core strategy and investing in growth.

I know I'm a bit late and others were quicker. Nevertheless, here is my classification and explanation of the numbers. As beginner-friendly as possible 😬

__________

Coca-Cola $KO (+0,66%) published its figures for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 today.

Coca-Cola is one of those stocks that almost everyone knows and many people have it in their portfolio. At the beginning of this year, I considered liquidating the position and shifting into other high-growth stocks, but I couldn't bring myself to do so and am now holding my position for the time being. According to DeepDive, Coca Cola currently accounts for just under 2.5% of my portfolio.

The company is a real heavyweight in the consumer sector and has a certain stability and an impressive dividend history. The quarterly figures published today show solid growth, but also some challenges.

I took a look at the news release "Coca-Cola Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results" [1] and also read the transcript of the earnings call [2].

Q4 vs. Estimates [3]

Business figures at a glance

📊 Q4 2024 (October - December):

• Sales: $11.5 billion (+6% compared to the previous year)
• Organic sales (adjusted for currency effects and acquisitions): +14 %
• Operating profit: +19

Earnings per share (EPS):

• Reported EPS: $0.51 (+12%)
• Adjusted EPS (without special effects): $0.55 (+12 %)

• Unit case volume: +2 %

➡️ Coca-Cola sold 2 % more beverages than in the same quarter of the previous year.

➡️ Growth was particularly strong in China, Brazil and the USA.

📅 Full year 2024:

• Sales: $47.1 billion (+3%)
• Organic sales: +12%
• Operating profit: -12% (partly due to a one-off Fairlife write-down)

Earnings per share (EPS):

• Reported EPS: $2.46 (-0.4%)
• Adjusted EPS: $2.88 (+7%)

• Unit case volume: +1 %

➡️ Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (+9 %) and tea (+4 %) were particularly popular.

➡️ There were declines in water (-2%) and coffee (-3%).

While the fourth quarter was strong, the reported operating profit for the full year was depressed by the Fairlife write-down (-12 %). Without this one-off effect, adjusted and currency-adjusted operating profit would have risen by 16%.

Fairlife amortization - What's behind it?

I was wondering again what fairlife depreciation is all about, and here is the explanation:

Coca-Cola had to take a $3.1 billion write-down related to the Fairlife brand.

➡️ Fairlife is a dairy brand that Coca-Cola acquired in 2020.

➡️ The value of this acquisition has now been revalued (fair value measurement).

➡️ The Fairlife write-down of $3.1 billion results from a revaluation of goodwill. Coca Cola had originally paid a higher price for Fairlife, but due to changed market conditions part of this value was written off.

➡️ Such write-downs are accounting losses, but do not directly affect cash flow or ongoing business development.

Regional development - Where Coca-Cola is growing

🌍 North America: +11% sales growth in 2024, particularly due to price increases.

Latin America: Strongest growth (+25% organic sales in Q4), but strongly influenced by high inflation in Argentina.

🌍 Europe, Middle East & Africa: Growth due to price adjustments, but currency devaluations depressed earnings (more on this below).

🌍 Asia-Pacific: Solid growth, but sales per unit fell slightly as more sales were made in lower-priced categories (e.g. due to smaller packaging units or promotions)

What does currency devaluation mean and why is it problematic?

When Coca-Cola sells beverages in Europe or Latin America, for example, the company earns euros or local currencies there.

➡️ These revenues end up being converted into US dollars because Coca-Cola is a US company.

💡The problem:

If the US dollar gets stronger, then Coca-Cola gets less dollars per euro/peso when it converts.

This makes it look on paper as if sales are falling, even though Coca-Cola is selling the same amount or even growing in these regions.

Example of currency devaluation:

• Let's assume that Coca-Cola makes 100 million euros in sales in Europe.

• If the exchange rate is 1.20 USD/EUR, this means a turnover of 120 million dollars.

• If the exchange rate falls to 1.05 USD/EUR, Coca-Cola only receives 105 million dollars for the same 100 million euros - 15 million less!

➡️ This happened in many markets in 2024, especially in Latin America (Argentina) and parts of Africa.

➡️ The currency devaluation therefore had a negative impact on reported sales.

Expansion: more fridges for more sales

Coca-Cola has expanded its presence in stores worldwide:

• 250,000 new points of sale
• 600,000 new refrigerators installed

Investments were particularly strong in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

➡️ In these markets, 90% of drinks are sold cold - more fridges = more sales!

Dividends & share buybacks - Coca-Cola remains an investor favorite

✔️ Coca-Cola paid $8.4 billion in dividends in 2024 - dividends have increased every year for 62 years!

✔️ Share buybacks worth $1.8bn - reducing the number of shares and increasing earnings per share in the long term.

What is the tax payment to the IRS?

➡️ Coca-Cola has deposited $6.0 billion as collateral in a long-running tax dispute with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the company loses the lawsuit, the money will be used to pay the taxes.

➡️ If Coca-Cola wins, some of the money could flow back.

➡️ Without this one-off effect, free cash flow would have increased by 11% to $10.8 billion!

Outlook for 2025 - What does Coca-Cola expect?

📈 Planned sales growth: 5-6 %

📉 Currency impact: -3 to -4% on sales, -6 to -7% on profit

💰 Expected earnings per share: $2.88 (+2 to 3%)

💵 Free cash flow forecast: approx. $9.5 billion

Conclusion - Coca-Cola remains stable, but currencies are a risk

• Stable sales growth and strong market position
• Expansion through refrigerators and retail outlets pays off
• Strong dividend history - a classic for dividend investors

• Currency risks and tax dispute weigh on figures

I continue to hold the share and am always happy when I drink an ice-cold Coke Zero!

Thanks for reading 🤝

__________

Sources:

[1]

https://investors.coca-colacompany.com/

[2]

https://web.quartr.com/companies/4595/events/248468/transcript?targetTime=0.0

[3]

https://web.quartr.com/companies/4595