January 2015 update ($ 272,888 -$15,702 or - 5%)

↑ Accumulated $4,000 USD as part of my annual saving goal for January

↑ Invested additional 7,080 in the Company share plan and got the at 25% discount worth of $8,665

↑ Received  $48 for Vanguard Emerging markets ETF and $179 for S&P500, which is roughly 1.5% each after taxes.

↑ Vanguard S&P500 ETF gained $1,690

↑ Vanguard emerging markets ETF gained $354

Grand total additions: US$ 14,936

↓EUR lost $10,050 towards USD. Year to year EUR lost 17%

↓GBP lost $2,293 towards USD. Year to year EUR lost 11%

↓ Gazprom shares lost $11,330

↓ Company shares lost $265

↓Rosneft shares lost $3,720

↓ Gold lost $2,980

Grand total losses: US$ 30,638 

Observations:

-         There is three major drivers dragging portfolio worth down – currency wars (EUR, GBP) and oil prices affecting Gazprom & Rosneft evaluation. 

-         It is expected that many high paid jobs will be axed soon, as existing oil price affects capital expenditure.

-         I will wait for the market correction until I start exiting cash. 

-      Current portfolio generates about 3% after taxes in dividends.