2025-01-15 08:10:00 ET

Summary

• In December, I invested around $1,200 primarily in Business Development Companies, boosting my annual dividend income by $131 with a full-year total of almost $1,700.
• The much-anticipated Santa Rally failed to occur, leaving markets more undecided than expected as yields started to rise.
• December's dividend income hit $1,120, up 21% Y/Y, driven by Business Development Companies.
• In a tight race I did manage to hit the illustrious $10,000 in dividend income mark - a major milestone.
• Gifted Working Time 2024: Around 284 hours or 35.5 days of active work have been replaced with passive income in 2024, which is equivalent to over seven workweeks.

Portfolio Changes in December

December capped off an already eventful year in the markets, with the optimism following November’s U.S. Presidential Election maintaining some momentum. However, the much-anticipated Santa Rally failed to occur, leaving markets more undecided than expected. Additionally, initial concerns in the valuation of AI stocks are starting to appear, signaling a potential recalibration ahead. While gains in my portfolio remain unrealized, I’m heading into 2025 with cautious optimism and a continued focus on long-term dividend growth.

As a German, I do have some concerns about potential developments in 2025, especially regarding tariffs, AI valuations and RoI and the political landscape in Germany. However, given that my investments are predominantly U.S.-based, Germany’s economic struggles rank low on my list of worries. With Germany's federal elections approaching in February, I’m bracing for an outcome I likely won’t be thrilled about either way. Good thing is I will be in Thailand during that time and will make sure to fully enjoy that and not bother with politics for a couple of weeks....

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