Now that you’ve invested, it's time to sit back and relax - for a while. 

When it comes to monitoring your investments, you should try to find a balance. Re-evaluate your portfolio regularly, like once a month, to be certain that you're on track and comfortable with the associated risks - but not too regularly so you avoid making impulsive decisions in minor market changes. 

Ultimately, how often you review your portfolio will depend on the length of time you intend to invest for and your investing goals.

What to look at when checking in on your portfolio assets:

Shares

• Create a 'watch list' for your shares. You can do this in the Douugh App or on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). A watch list will help you keep track of dividends, share prices and major announcements.

• Read the important annual reports from your stocks company. Annual reports will give you deeper insight into the company's performance throughout the year, any important changes, and their goals for the year to come.

ETFs (Portfolios)

• Just like you read the annual report for stocks, read the annual statement of your fund. This will show you how the fund performed, its fees and any of its distributions.

• Check in with the fund's performance via its website, where it’s unit prices, updates and financial statements will be published.

Warning signs to look out for

• Changes in market conditions

  Keep an eye out for any major changes occurring in the market, both that directly affect your shares i.e. the share price of your stock, and indirectly affect your shares i.e. a large drop in the S&P500.

• Issues with management

  A huge warning sign can be a frequent change in company board members and upper management. Find these patterns and changes in the company's announcements. 

• Financial reporting problems

  Keep an eye out for media controversy, detailing mistakes or delays on their financial accounts. Whilst accidents can occur, repeated issues are a key sign of more serious underlying issues.

• Statements

  The ASX and other overseeing bodies like the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) can inforce companies to publish statements that correct previous information given to investors. These public statements, whilst sometimes harmless, can signal issues within the company and their reporting.

TIP: Investors should take a cursory look every two or three months to make sure there are no dramatic changes in either direction.

^{Investing involves risk. You aren't guaranteed to make money, and you might lose the money you start with.
Douugh Australia Pty Ltd ABN 76 617 000 138 operates under Douugh Australia Pty Ltd AFS License No. 500063. Although we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of information we provide, we do not accept responsibility of liability for any errors or from any loss from its use. Any information provided is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. We don't provide personalised advice or recommendations. Before making any investment decision you should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation and seek appropriate taxation and legal advice. For more details, see our FSG, Terms of Service and other disclosures.}