So, here, as promised, are the starting prices for our selective breeding version of the Dogs of the Footsie.
To make life tougher (and a bit more realistic), the virtual portfolio has been constructed with purchases being made at the offer price, while sales will be made at the bid price. I have assumed £15 dealing costs on each trade.
I am tempted to quit while I am ahead because somewhat improbably, after just one day, the portfolio has already covered its dealing costs (based on mid-market prices).
Let loose the dogs
AstraZeneca: 23 shares bought at 4,210.5p.
BT Group: 323 shares bought at 305.5p
Barratt Developments: 206 shares bought at 478.6p
Capita Group: 197 shares bought at 499.1p
Legal & General: 419 shares bought at 235.2p
Marks & Spencer: 293 shares bought at 335.9p
Persimmon: 51 shares bought at 1,931p
Royal Mail Group: 239 shares bought at 411.3p
TUI AG: 84 shares bought at 1,167p
Taylor Wimpey: 589 shares bought at 167.1p
So, a collection of misfits, featuring three housebuilders, two or more companies with serious pension deficit problems, the odd company suffering reputational damage and at least one company – Legal & General, if you must know – where I am especially grateful that this method of portfolio selection eschews any sort of fundamental analysis.
Periodically we will revisit the portfolio to see how it is doing, though it is worth noting that the idea is to tuck the shares away for a year so no matter how bad (or how well) the portfolio is doing, there will be no dealing until next February.