I made four assumptions for my 2005 equity investments. I assumed that oil prices would stay high or increase leading to profits for big oil. I assumed that the companies that service big oil would do well as the companies would want to run as fast as they could to produce profits while the iron was hot. I assumed that the Chinese demand would stay high and that commodities would continue to appreciate during the year. Finally, I assumed that US real estate would continue to do very well in the low interest rate environment. So, how did I do?
My best investment for the year was OIH, Oil Services Holders Trust which returned 56.75% on the year. Second was XLE, Energy Select Sector SPDR which returned 43.83% on the year.
Third was ICF, IShares Cohen & Steers Realty which returned 11.08% in 2005.
I didn't do as well on the commodity trade, IYM, IShares DJ Basic Materials only returned 3.70%.
Still, these returns aren't bad when you consider that the SP500 returned 3.5% and the DJ Industrial Average was -0.34% or flat on the year.
What do you think the hot sectors will be for 2006 and why??
