Investing in the stock market is not a one-time activity—it’s a continuous process. Regularly tracking your portfolio’s performance helps you stay aligned with your goals, manage risk, and improve your decision-making over time. This guide shows how to effectively track your share market performance on a monthly basis.
Why Monthly Tracking Matters
- Helps you evaluate what’s working and what’s not
- Alerts you to underperforming stocks early
- Keeps you accountable to your investment goals
- Helps you decide when to rebalance your portfolio
- Builds long-term discipline and clarity
What to Track Every Month
1. Total Portfolio Value
Check the current market value of all your holdings and compare it to your original investment.
2. Unrealized Gains and Losses
Track how much profit or loss you’re making on each stock, and overall.
3. Sector Allocation
Ensure you’re not overexposed to any one sector. Balance helps manage risk.
4. Dividend Income
If you hold dividend-paying stocks, note how much income you’re receiving.
5. Trade History & Performance
Log all your trades—entry price, exit price, quantity, reason for entry, and outcome.
Tools to Track Performance
1. Google Sheets or Excel
Create a simple spreadsheet with:
- Stock name
- Quantity
- Buy price
- Current price
- Gain/Loss %
- Notes or rationale
2. Broker Platforms
Most trading apps like Zerodha, Upstox, Angel One, and Groww offer monthly P&L reports and portfolio trackers.
3. Portfolio Trackers
Use tools like:
- Moneycontrol Portfolio
- Value Research
- Tickertape
- INDmoney
Monthly Tracking Template (Sample Columns)
| Stock Name | Buy Price | Current Price | Quantity | Gain/Loss % | Dividend | Comments |
|---|
Update once a month for better clarity and fewer emotional decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Checking your portfolio too often (daily tracking may create anxiety)
- Not logging the reason behind each buy/sell
- Ignoring portfolio-level performance (only focusing on individual stocks)
- Not benchmarking against Nifty 50 or Sensex
Final Thoughts
Tracking your portfolio monthly is a simple habit that separates successful investors from others. It helps you stay informed, manage risks, and take smarter actions when required. Even a 30-minute review at the end of each month can make a huge difference in your stock market journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should I track my investments?
Monthly is ideal. Daily tracking can lead to overtrading or emotional decisions.
2. What’s the best way to track performance for free?
Use Google Sheets or the free portfolio tools offered by broker apps and sites like Moneycontrol.
3. Should I compare my portfolio to an index?
Yes. Benchmarking helps evaluate if your returns are keeping up with the broader market.
4. What if my portfolio is underperforming?
Analyze why. Check if any stock is dragging it down and consider rebalancing or replacing it.
5. Do I need special tools for performance tracking?
No. A simple spreadsheet or free platform dashboard is enough for most investors.