Bond portfolio gives licence to nil profit

23-Nov-2006 • Bond News

Investors looking to put money into the James Bond lifestyle could end up with a licence to nil -- profit that is, reports Reuters.

Analysis of a portfolio of stocks relating to Bond films shows that a Casino Royale approach to investment would have delivered a return 10 percent below the wider market.

he eight shares -- including the maker of the Aston Martin and a Q-style research and technology company -- yielded a net gain of 2 percent over the past six months, Halifax Share Dealing said.

That compares to a FTSE 100 gain of 12 percent over the same period.

Five of the stocks yielded a healthy profit, however, with the biggest climber being British Airways (for Bond's first class jet-setting).

It moved up 45 percent to 485p per share.

Ford Motor Company (for Bond's car) rose 32 percent, Diageo (for the Vodka Martini) lifted 12 percent, luxury hotel chain Intercontinental increased 10 percent and gold mining firm Randgold gained 4 percent.

But other stocks proved less successful.

Online gambling company 888 Holdings notched up the largest loss, plummeting 38 percent.

Sony (for Bond's Sony Ericsson mobile) and research and technology business Qinetiq also lost -- falling 11 percent and 2 percent respectively.

Sue Concannon, managing director at Halifax Share Dealing, said the research provided a "useful insight" into the pros and cons of a themed portfolio.

"This is something that can add a little fun to the investment process, but the results also reinforce two essential rules for successful investing; a short term fad is unlikely to bring long-term value and there is no substitute for careful research."