Mike's mix vs the S&P 500: return over the last 12 months, every month since 1997

source: Each point: % gain or loss over the 12 months to that month-end (Jan 1997 to Oct 12 2026). Shaded: the mix's 12 months beat SPY's; Mike's mix: at each Jan and Jul month-end, 50% in the S&P 500 stock with the biggest 3-month gain, 25% each in the top two by 6-month gain (excluding that one); held 6 months untouched, 0.2% fee per trade. Starts Jan 31 1996; Yahoo Finance month-end closes with dividends; S&P 500 membership as of each month (from 1996). Yahoo lacks many delisted stocks (about 6 in 10 of 1996's members), which flatters stock picking; tickers Yahoo reuses for another company are excluded. Before tax. • drawn 2026-10-12 18:58 UTC