The Boring Portfolio

Boring Portfolio Report
Wednesday, November 27, 1996

by Jeff Fischer (MF BudFox)

ALEXANDRIA, VA, -- November 27, 1996 -- Wow!... an empty white page to write on. Let's see. It's almost Thanksgiving, so what should I write about? Perhaps a nice, well-versed piece about everything that I'm thankful for? Actually, MF Selena did a great job at that when she wrote the main FoolPort recap today; so, to keep from making a complete imbecile of myself, I'll pass.

Besides, there's a plane seat waiting for me, as well as a big glass of ice-water, a fluffy pillow, and perhaps a bag of peanuts. Ahhh... domesticity! How a single guy can forget the simple comforts.

The Boring port trotted along today; four of the seven stocks were up and the portfolio had a modest gain. It was a respectable enough day for the good old Boring Port. Boring beat the S&P 500 and lost slightly to a pretty decent Nasdaq.

I did a news search on all Boring's stocks after the market closed, and found nothing but one small press release indirectly about Cisco Systems. No other news. The boys and girls of corporate America are hopefully preparing to celebrate a family Thankgiving: with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, grandpa, grandma, kids, football games, and maybe some talk about a really annoying Boring recap they read on the Fool, and how they wished Greg was back; then they may share a good laugh at the pathetic writing attempts of that day's supposed "author" -- "what a moron!" they'll say, while laughing over a cob of corn.

Before we get to Cisco, I did receive important mail today. On a sincere note, I received email from Greg on his island paradise. Greg wrote and asked me to tell all his readers (which includes myself) to have a joyful Thanksgiving. He's enjoying his vacation, but misses the Boring Port and the Fool each day (I can tell from all mail he sends), and wishes you all the best. Part of Greg's letter reads:

"As for us, we've found a TCBY up the beach a ways. We'll head over there tomorrow to fashion a "turkey" out of frozen yogurt and hot fudge. Should be *great.*"

So, you see, it's very good to know that Greg is doing well. And especially it's good to know that he's eating so well. Hmmm...

I promised a Cisco press release. Here's the gist of it, though unfortunately it's pretty meaningless. The headline was: "U.S. tech stocks rise as hedge managers jump aboard." And explained that before the close of their fiscal years, hedge fund managers were buying bellwether stocks such as Cisco Systems and Intel -- strong issues -- to add to their portfolios, in order to "make them look pretty," the press release states.

I don't really understand the point of it. Why pretend? Oh well. Either way, I'm thankful I don't have that job.

I really do need to say good night, and fly over about 1/4 the length of America, far over many of your homes, most likely; and I'll be thinking about that. It really is a fascinating world, and there's so much to be thankful for. I, for one, will be thankful when Greg returns. I enjoy working with him each night and reading his recap each night. It's concise, and usually to the point and useful (unlike this recap) and I've learned much this year from it. He also holds a couple of my favorite stocks in his portfolio, and has me interested in a few of his other holdings. He does a great job.

As for all you Fools, we're thankful for you more than anything else online....

Have a safe and happy holiday! And, take note: Friday the markets are open a half-day, only until 1:00 pm EST. Keith (MF Czar) will be here to write the trusty Boring recap. I myself look forward to reading that on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Greg and myself and the Fool....

Transmitted: 11/27/96

Stock  Change    Bid
--------------------
BGP   +  1/8   36.50
CSL   +  1/2   57.88
CSCO  +  3/4   67.88
GNT   +  1/2   41.88
ORCL  -  3/8   49.13
OXHP  -  3/4   56.50
PMSI  ---      11.38
SLR   -  1/8   58.25

                   Day   Month    Year  History
        BORING   +0.23%   6.44%  19.52%  19.52%
        S&P 500  -0.13%   7.05%  21.46%  21.46%
        NASDAQ   +0.48%   5.39%  23.67%  23.67%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At       Now    Change

  2/28/96  200 Borders Gr    22.51     36.50    62.13%
   2/2/96  200 Green Tree    30.39     41.88    37.80%
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst    53.90     67.88    25.93%
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea    48.02     56.50    17.65%
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi    10.07     11.38    12.97%
  8/13/96  100 Carlisle C    52.65     57.88     9.92%
 10/15/96  100 Solectron     54.52     58.25     6.83%
 11/21/96  100 Oracle Cor    48.65     49.13     0.98%


    Rec'd   #  Security     In At     Value    Change

  2/28/96  200 Borders Gr  4502.49   7300.00  $2797.51
   2/2/96  200 Green Tree  6077.49   8375.00  $2297.51
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst  5389.99   6787.50  $1397.51
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea  4802.49   5650.00   $847.51
  8/13/96  100 Carlisle C  5264.99   5787.50   $522.51
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi  4027.49   4550.00   $522.51
 10/15/96  100 Solectron   5452.49   5825.00   $372.51
 11/21/96  100 Oracle Cor  4864.99   4912.50    $47.51

                             CASH  $10570.94
                            TOTAL  $59758.44



Transmitted: 11/27/96