2025 Closing Portfolio +28.95%

“I did nothing, maybe less than nothing...and succeeded anyway. Maybe I've been the problem all along."

​​The Portfolio Performance

The portfolio is UP +28.95% YTD

The S&P 500 is UP +16.39% YTD

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 (There was a typo in the full-year performance listed as +28.39%. The actual number was +28.95%. Updated 1/1/26 at 5:25pm PT)

Great Gains

The portfolio closed out 2025 with a +28.95% gain vs. the S&P 500, which gained +16.39%. We had a gain of $288,017.09 for the year. With only one down year since 2016, I'm pretty content with our consistency.

Committing to Regular Content

Looking ahead to the new year, I plan to write and analyze investments for you on a regular schedule. I know I've been inconsistent in the past, but I'm committed to changing that. Please hold me to it. Your feedback and accountability matter.

Major Website Upgrades

Remember to check out and use the new website features.

The Bloomberg-Style Portfolio Page

S&P 500 Prediction Tool

In my ongoing mission to mock Wall Street's pretensions, I've built out the prediction model I created into a fully functional tool. You'll find it under the Resources menu.

Social Security Investment Calculator

Year-End Archive Reports

Introducing the Pure Alpha Portfolio

Introducing the New Book Review Section

A new Books menu appears on the main menu. I’ll be adding books I’ve read or am reading as time permits. Each entry includes a brief review, and you can order any of these books from Amazon by clicking the BUY button, which will help support the Stay Invested blog. (https://www.claybaker.com/books)

Looking Forward

I'm genuinely excited about 2026. The freedom to write openly, the new tools at our disposal, and the opportunity to engage with you more regularly all point to what I hope will be a productive and transparent year ahead.

Stay Invested,

Clay Baker

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Clay's Rules

Rule #1: Don't lose money

Rule #2: See Rule #1

Rule #3: Portfolios go to zero, markets don't; Stay Invested

Rule #4: When good stocks you own drop 10% below your cost basis, add shares

Rule #5: Bull markets aren't sustained without the Transports

Rule #6: When Forward P/E is lower than TTM P/E, expect earnings to increase

Rule #7: When an investment bank sells below book value, buy it

Rule #8: Tips are for waiters. Do your own homework.

Rule #9: Don't sell a stock because you're bored with it. Do your homework.

RULE #10: Don't expect a company's stock to perform according to your timeline; be patient.

Rule #11: Investing is easy. Waiting is hard; waiting is the hardest part.

Rule #12: It's hard to be incredibly intelligent. Not being stupid is pretty easy.

Rule #13: Good allocation is more important than good or bad stock picking.

Disclosure: I am personally invested long in some or all of these stocks or funds that appear in the Stay Invested portfolio and may purchase or sell shares within the next 72 hours. I am also invested in other stocks and funds that do not appear in the Stay Invested portfolio but may be mentioned or related to this article. It is not my intention to advise or encourage the purchase or sale of any security.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. This article is not intended to offer investing advice, guarantee 100% accurate predictions, or be interpreted as providing a personal recommendation. This and all articles on this website are provided for entertainment and educational purposes only. Investing involves risk and the risk of loss of part or all of your capital. Invest wisely, make your own decisions, and seek advice from multiple sources.