Performance (1): The Trader Portfolio
Please bear in mind that historic performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. Nevertheless, we are proud of the newsletter's strong performance record over many years, which has helped a large number of investors to achieve strong returns from their technology stock portfolios. The performance record has three distinct elements, the first of which is the Trader Portfolio, an unaudited paper fund that appears on the back page of every issue.
The Trader Portfolio is now in its fifth incarnation. It is intended to illustrate the dynamics of managing an active technology sector portfolio. No new share goes into the portfolio until after it has been rated as a new buy in an issue of Techinvest. After that, the portfolio can act just like any subscriber, using its judgement to buy, hold, or sell in accordance with subsequent price movements and news flow within the sector.
Trader Portfolio 1, 1985-1993, gain 2214%; compound annual growth rate 47.5%
Trader Portfolio 2, 1993-1996, gain 453.3%, compound annual growth rate, 67.1%
Trader Portfolio 3, 1996-2000, gain 1040.8%, compound annual growth rate 83.8%
Trader Portfolio 4, 2000-2020, gain 989.7%, compound annual growth rate 12.7%
Trader Portfolio 5 is currently running, and we would have to stay it has not been an easy ride so far, but we do have confidence that with patience we will be able to maintain our long track record of success.
Performance (2): Special Performers
Performance (2): Special Performers
Of course one of the great aspects of technology investing is that some truly spectacular returns can be made from time to time. Occasionally a multi-bagger will be massively successful for subscribers, particularly if we can be a patient holder over time.
One recent example is Cerillion, which rose by 1031% between January 2019 - when it was amongst our New Year tips - and 30th January 2024.
We have picked this extraordinary performer to demonstrate the unique potential of technology shares, but this gain is not intended to be representative. Of course many other recommendations have not performed so well, and some have fallen in value.
Performance (3): The New Year Tips
Every January we make our special selections for the year, always a special moment for our subscribers. We can’t win every year, but over the years we have a very strong track record from our annual tips. In addition to our selection of smaller UK technology stocks, we also pick some smaller US technology stocks for subscribers who wish to invest overseas.
Our North American tips have been the stars in 2026 to date, rising by 55.3% on average from 5th January to 15th September. Over the same period our UK tips are up by 5.7%, reflecting the more challenging conditions in the UK, but still ahead on balance.