Monthly Portfolio Review

Conduct systematic monthly portfolio reviews to optimize performance and manage risk.

⏱️ Time: 45-60 minutes monthly 💰 Risk Level: N/A (review only) 📱 Platform: iOS & Web 👤 Best for: All investors with portfolios 🦍 Recommended Companion: Sage (analysis) + Money Monty (balanced view)


What You'll Learn

  • How to conduct comprehensive monthly reviews

  • How to track performance metrics

  • How to identify when to rebalance

  • How to optimize tax efficiency

  • How to maintain investment discipline


Why Monthly Reviews Matter

The Power of Systematic Review

Most investors:

  • ❌ Check portfolio daily (too often)

  • ❌ Make emotional decisions

  • ❌ Chase performance

  • ❌ Never systematically review

  • ❌ Let winners get too large

  • ❌ Hold losers too long

Monthly reviews enable:

  • ✅ Disciplined decision making

  • ✅ Data-driven rebalancing

  • ✅ Risk management

  • ✅ Tax optimization

  • ✅ Goal tracking

  • ✅ Continuous improvement

Result:

  • Better returns

  • Lower stress

  • Clearer strategy

  • Compound growth


Before You Start

Prerequisites

Portfolio Requirements

  • Active portfolio with 3+ holdings

  • At least 30 days of history

  • Clear investment goals

  • Defined target allocation

Tools Needed

  • Ape AI account with portfolio data

  • Trading journal (spreadsheet or app)

  • Calendar reminder for monthly reviews

  • Pen and paper for notes

Mindset

  • Objectivity (remove emotions)

  • Discipline (follow the process)

  • Patience (don't over-trade)

  • Long-term focus

Schedule Your Reviews

Recommended timing:

  • Monthly: First weekend of each month

  • Quarterly: After earnings season ends

  • Annually: End of year (tax planning)

Time commitment:

  • Monthly: 45-60 minutes

  • Quarterly: 90-120 minutes

  • Annual: 2-3 hours


Monthly Review Checklist

Complete Monthly Review Process


Step 1: Performance Analysis (15 min)

Calculate Returns

Ask Sage:

Sage's Performance Report:

Track Your Personal Metrics

In your journal, record:


Step 2: Allocation Review (10 min)

Check Current Allocation

Ask Sage:

Sage's Allocation Report:

Allocation Heatmap

Visual representation:


Step 3: Risk Assessment (10 min)

Portfolio Risk Metrics

Ask Sage:

Sage's Risk Analysis:


Step 4: Holdings Analysis (15 min)

Review Each Position

For every holding, ask:

Is the thesis still intact?

Example: AAPL Review

Sage's Position Review:

Red Flags to Watch

Sell signals:


Step 5: Action Items (10 min)

Create Next Month's Plan

Ask Sage:

Sage's Action Plan:


Step 6: Journal Entry (5 min)

Document Your Review

Monthly Review Journal Template:


Quarterly vs Monthly Reviews

Monthly Review (45-60 min)

Focus on:

  • Performance tracking

  • Allocation drift

  • Basic rebalancing

  • Position health checks

  • Tactical adjustments

Don't do:

  • Major strategy changes

  • Complete portfolio overhaul

  • Emotional reactions

  • Impulsive trades

Quarterly Review (90-120 min)

Deep dive on:

  • Full portfolio analysis

  • Tax planning

  • Strategy reassessment

  • Long-term goal check

  • Annual planning

Additional items:

  • Earnings review (all holdings)

  • Competitive landscape check

  • Macro environment assessment

  • Risk tolerance reassessment

Annual Review (2-3 hours)

Comprehensive:

  • Full year performance

  • Tax-loss harvesting

  • IRA contributions/conversions

  • Asset location optimization

  • Life changes (job, marriage, etc.)

  • Risk tolerance evolution

  • Strategic allocation changes


Common Review Mistakes

❌ Don't Do This

1. Reviewing Too Often

  • Checking daily/weekly

  • Making constant changes

  • Emotional reactions

  • Overtrading

Better:

  • Monthly schedule

  • Quarterly deep dives

  • Annual strategy review

  • Discipline

2. Not Documenting

  • No journal

  • Can't track progress

  • Repeat mistakes

  • No learning

Better:

  • Written journal

  • Track all reviews

  • Note lessons

  • Continuous improvement

3. Ignoring Allocation Drift

  • "It's only 5% over"

  • "I'll rebalance later"

  • Letting winners run too much

  • Concentration creep

Better:

  • Set drift thresholds (5-10%)

  • Rebalance systematically

  • Trim winners

  • Maintain discipline

4. Emotional Decisions

  • Panic selling losers

  • Chasing winners

  • FOMO additions

  • Revenge trading

Better:

  • Follow the process

  • Data-driven decisions

  • Stick to the plan

  • Remove emotion

5. Paralysis by Analysis

  • Over-analyzing

  • Can't make decisions

  • Waiting for "perfect"

  • Missing opportunities

Better:

  • Good enough > perfect

  • Execute the plan

  • Set deadlines

  • Take action


Advanced Review Techniques

Attribution Analysis

Ask Sage:

Attribution Report:

Tax Impact Tracking

Ask Sage:

Tax Projection:


What's Next?

Ongoing Portfolio Management

Related Workflows:

Advanced Skills:

Ask Sage or Money Monty


Success Checklist

✅ I have a monthly review schedule

✅ I track performance vs benchmarks

✅ I check allocation drift every month

✅ I assess risk metrics regularly

✅ I review each position's thesis

✅ I create action plans from reviews

✅ I journal my findings and lessons

✅ I execute rebalancing when needed

✅ I optimize for taxes when possible

✅ I maintain investment discipline


Remember: The monthly review is your portfolio's health checkup. It catches problems early, keeps you disciplined, and ensures your investments stay aligned with your goals. Consistency beats perfection. 📊

Review monthly. Rebalance quarterly. Compound annually. Retire eventually.

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