Most people think you need huge cash to generate appreciable passive income through investing. This is a misguided opinion. Investing can seem difficult and unrewarding with very low capital. However, the barrier to entry is lower than we’ve been led to believe. If you can save between KES 20K to 50K a month for five years, you can build a portfolio. This portfolio could generate 10K to 30K in passive income each month. In this article, I will show exactly how to do this, but first…
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is the collection of assets you own, whether as an individual or an entity. In simple terms, it represents all your investments, which can include stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, and more. There are 4 main types of portfolios that you can consider:
- The conservative portfolio
This portfolio focuses on preserving wealth by keeping risk low. It typically consists of bonds, high-dividend stocks, and fixed deposits, providing steady returns with minimal risk.
- The aggressive portfolio
Focused on capital appreciation, this portfolio is ideal for risk-tolerant investors looking to build wealth. It primarily includes stocks, especially growth stocks and small-cap stocks, and is designed for those who can handle higher levels of risk.
- The income portfolio
Designed to generate consistent and reliable passive income, this portfolio focuses on income-producing assets like dividend stocks, bonds, and real estate. Investors in this category prioritise steady cash flow over capital gains.
- The hybrid portfolio
This portfolio combines multiple objectives, offering a mix of growth, income, and wealth preservation. It provides maximum flexibility by balancing different types of assets to meet various financial goals.
The Portfolio
In this example, the focus will be placed on the Income Portfolio, which is specifically designed to generate steady passive income Our strategy will involve investing in three key asset classes: Money Market Funds, Treasury Bonds, and Dividend Stocks. These investments are selected for their ability to provide reliable and consistent income streams, in alignment to maximize passive income.
1. Build an emergency fund
Start by using the savings from your first two months to establish a small emergency fund. This fund should cover your normal monthly expenses for at least one month. A Money Market Fund is an ideal place to park this emergency fund, offering both liquidity and safety for your short-term needs.
2. Plan Your Portfolio Allocation
Next, determine your portfolio allocation strategy and plan how you’ll invest your savings over the next five years. Given the current high yields on bonds, a balanced approach could be to allocate 60% of your portfolio to bonds and 40% to dividend stocks. This strategy leverages the strong bond yields for stability and income while also incorporating dividend stocks for additional growth and income potential.
This means that, out of the 3M saved (50K per month over 5 years), 1.8M will be allocated to bonds and 1.2M to dividend stocks. Bonds are auctioned monthly, with a minimum investment of KES 50K.
3. Pick your Stocks
For stocks, we’ll focus on those with high dividend yields and a strong dividend track record over the past 10 years. Below is a table of the top 10 stocks with the highest dividend yields as of June 2023. From this list, select at least 3 stocks, taking into account other relevant factors you may consider.
For more on investing in stocks check out my article, Investing in the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Once you’ve identified your top 3 picks, use the Dollar Cost Averaging method to invest. This approach involves regularly investing a fixed amount of money at set intervals, regardless of market conditions, to reduce the impact of market volatility and build your position over time.
4. Pick your Bonds
For bonds, consider using the bond ladder strategy by splitting your 1.8M into a series of 3 to 6 bonds. Since the minimum investment per bond is 300K (for a series of 6 bonds), save up this amount in a Money Market Fund. Once you reach your target, invest your savings in the next bond in the series.
For details on how to invest in bonds issued by the CBK check out my article, [link]
After 5 years, you will have invested a total of 3M, excluding any interest earned, which should help offset inflation. With a conservative estimate of an average annual return of 10%, your portfolio could generate 300K per year or 25K per month.
It’s important to note that this example is illustrative and based on specific assumptions to create an ideal scenario. The actual outcome may vary. While a savings rate of 50K per month is used in this example, the strategy can be adjusted to accommodate higher or lower savings amounts.
In conclusion, I hope this example has demonstrated that investing doesn’t have to be complex. By focusing on straightforward options that you fully understand, you can build a portfolio that aligns with your needs. Remember, the ideal portfolio is unique to each individual and depends on factors such as age, financial goals, income, and risk tolerance. Tailoring your investment strategy to your circumstances will set you on the path to achieving your financial objectives.
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