James Roberts Profile Picture Individual Investor

James Roberts

Financial Writer,Financial Services

  • Education Vanderbilt University
  • Qualifications BA
  • Investment Experience 30 Years

StockDiagnostics

StockDiagnostics.com publishes a list of recommended stocks that sometimes includes more than 300 stocks. This model selects stocks from this universe.
This model selects stocks from the universe of those recommended by StockDiagnostics.com, for which I am a contributing analyst. Stocks are added to the StockDiagnostics list for a variety of reasons. Reasons could include institutional purchasing trends, discounted cash flow analysis, analyst upgrades or insider buying and selling.

The model uses a fundamental approach, focusing on cash flows, ROE and growing sales.

The model will not invest in ADRs, but will invest in companies with an international presence. The model may invest in ETFs or Closed End Funds to gain exposure to a region or sector.
I currently write company stock reports for StockDiagnostics.com, selecting from companies with superior cash flow characteristics. StockDiagnostics.com is an independent financial research company that creates investing software. I am an independent contributor and am running the Covestor models independent of my work with StockDiagnostics.com. However, my research does plays a role in the selection process.

In deciding which stocks to feature for StockDiagnostics, I have used a number of other services including Barron's online, GuruFocus.com, IBD's Investors.com, SeekingAlpha.com, and Zacks to gather both fundamental and technical analysis. Brokerage firm data comes from Charles Schwab and Stifel Nicolaus, among others.
Rebalancing is not a regularly scheduled activity. More than likely several stocks will be sold and replaced with stocks that appear to be better values from time to time. Weekly changes are much more important than daily ones. Monthly rebalancing is the most likely frequency for this model.
The Value Line Investment Survey, explains sell decisions in the majority of cases as "dynamics of the system". That terminology refers to the practice of replacing a less attractive company with a more attractive one as dictated by monitoring one or more data points. Stock market systems usually use numbers. StockDiagnostics is among several services employed that assign numbers or letters to denote attractiveness levels. When a potential investment company is deemed to be more attractive than an existing holding, the more attractive company may be purchased with funds derived from the sale of the existing holding.
Quite often the process will begin with the decision to sell a security based on any one of a number of factors including earnings coming in surprising low, insider selling, analyst downgrades, or the announcement of an acquisition that seems expensive. If representation in the group is of continuing importance, the stock in question might be retained despite the bad news.

Risk score

4
12.1%

Best 30 days

-10.2%

Worst 30 days

Performance

  • 3.4%
    30 day
  • 4.5%
    90 day
  • 20.8%
    365 day
Monthly vs S&P500
james roberts - stockdiagnostics
-4.3% 12 months
  • $30,000 subscription min
  • 1% fee

Replicability

100.0%
  • Replicable

Top 5 Holdings View all

17.5%
12.6%
8.2%
7.7%
6.6%

Model commentary

  1. Boulder Income Fund is my Berkshire proxy trade

    17 May 2013

    Boulder Income Fund has a 25% stake in Berkshire.

  2. Why we added Leucadia National to our portfolio 6 April 2013
  3. Why we bought Graphic Packaging and Banner Corp. 16 January 2013
  4. Wary of the herd, I cut loose my Apple holding 20 October 2012
  5. The Most Admired model's new core holding: Berkshire Hathaway 28 September 2012

show more


Performance detail

  • Manager
  • S&P 500

Performance

Inception May 31, 2011
as of May 20, 2013 Manager S&P 500 Average Subscriber
Past 30 days 3.4% 7.1% -
Past 90 days 4.5% 8.8% -
Past 365 days 20.8% 28.6% -
Since Inception (Annualized) 12.9% 11.5% -
2013 (YTD) 11.0% 16.8% -
2012 13.6% 13.4% -

Risk Metrics

Last 365 days
as of May 20, 2013 Manager S&P 500
Best 30 days 6.0% 8.2%
Worst 30 days -5.6% -7.0%
Volatility 12.3% 12.7%
Sharpe Ratio 1.67 2.24
Sortino Ratio 2.47 3.23
Maximum Drawdown -8.2% -7.7%
Value-at-risk (95%, 1 week) -2.9% -3.0%
vs. S&P 500
Information Ratio -1.66
Alpha -3.7%
Beta 0.90
R-Squared 0.86
  • $30,000 subscription min
  • 1% fee

Latest transactions view all

Average trades per month 8.9
Executed Symbol Security Replicable Type Price
05/08/13 DTV DIRECTV Yes Buy $62.34
05/06/13 WFC Wells Fargo & Co Yes Sell $37.88
05/02/13 NOW SERVICENOW INC Yes Sell $39.52
05/01/13 KR KROGER CO Yes Buy $34.32
05/01/13 CI CIGNA CORP Yes Buy $65.80
04/25/13 SWY SAFEWAY INC Yes Sell $24.13
04/25/13 USTR UNITED STATIONERS INC Yes Sell $33.48
04/25/13 NOW SERVICENOW INC Yes Buy $42.29


Important Information

1. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

2. Performance of the model manager's account is calculated by Covestor on a daily time-weighted basis, including cash, dividends and earnings distributions, and broker commissions. Manager returns include trades that fail Covestor's trading rules, do not reflect any Covestor suitability or risk score restrictions and are exclusive of Covestor fees. More

3. Average subscription returns ("Avg Sub" or "Avg Client") are calculated by Covestor and are composed of the average, daily, time weighted returns of all active subscriptions to the underlying model. These daily average returns are then linked together for the timeframe requested. In addition, these returns include cash, dividends and earnings distributions, brokerage commissions, Covestor advisory fees, and reflect individual client suitability and risk score restrictions. More

4. All graph data is as of the end of day for the referenced period, unless otherwise specified. The subscription minimum is the minimum subscription required to follow a particular model. The minimum amount is determined by Covestor, based on the characteristics of the underlying model. It should not be considered as specific investment advice for your investment situation.

5. The performance charts are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be used as the basis for making an investment decision. Variables such as corporate actions or foreign exchange may affect daily performance displays. We rely on mathematical formulas, computer programs, and pricing information from third-party vendors to provide these returns. Neither Covestor nor any of its data or content providers shall be liable for any errors in this information or any actions taken by you in reliance upon this information.

6. Benchmark returns have been calculated by Covestor using a time-weighted calculation of daily index valuations and do not include cash, dividends and earnings distributions, or transaction costs. More

7. Leverage indicates the level of margin utilized and is calculated by dividing gross exposure by portfolio net liquidation value.

8. All Model Manager information including personal data, profiles, strategies, monthly investment reports, and historical results outside of Covestor has been provided by the Model Manager. Covestor makes no representation or warranty of its accuracy, completeness or relevance and it does not represent the opinions of Covestor. Transaction history is available upon request. Model classifications (Approach, Asset Class) are provided by Covestor, and are intended to serve as a general guide.

9. Top Replicable Holdings: These securities are currently held in the model manager's brokerage account. Those marked as "Replicable Holdings" currently pass Covestor's trading rules, subject to individual client constraints. Eligibility for replication may change over time. Actual client subscription holdings may vary.

10. Latest Transactions: These transactions were executed in the model manager's brokerage account. Those marked as "Replicable" () passed Covestor's trading rules and were eligible for replication at the time of execution, subject to individual client constraints. Eligibility for replication may change over time. Actual client subscription trade activity may vary.

11. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index compiled by Standard & Poor´s Corp. Index returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. Individuals cannot invest directly in an Index. S&P 500 index data: S&P/Dow Jones Indices LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies Copyright © 2013.