How is your portfolio performing?
When you visit your advisor, which should be at least once a year, get them to create a chart for you, as outlined in the Worksheet for monitoring your investments 
. The chart should show your portfolio’s beginning value, deposits, withdrawals and fees, and current balance. Keeping these charts on file will help you track the performance of your portfolio year-over-year.
Don’t focus on the value of your portfolio, or on individual investments 
each month, though you’ll want to keep close eye on higher risk investments. At any particular time, the value of your investments may be up or down, but the important thing is that the overall value of your portfolio increases over time. Look at your portfolio’s performance over the year, and compare its performance from year to year, to see if, on average, your portfolio is growing or shrinking. If your portfolio is off track, work with your advisor to get it back on track before it's too late.
Determine how your portfolio is doing in comparison to the market by comparing it to an equivalent market benchmark , such as a market index . If the market is falling, some or all of your investments will be losing value as well. If the market is rising, your overall portfolio should rise with it. Beware if your advisor tells you that your portfolio is performing quite differently than the market. For information on how to follow the market and understand indices, see Follow the market.
Where can I find information on my portfolio’s performance?
The companies you invest in will send you information on your investments, unless you choose not to receive them. You can also find information about them by doing your own research. See Understand company material to learn how to find information on individual investments and how to make sense of the documents you have chosen to receive.
You can also get information on your portfolio’s performance from your advisor. For many portfolios, it’s a good idea to see your advisor at least once a year. In any case, contact them when you have questions. When you see your advisor, we recommend you take our Worksheet for monitoring your investments with you to help you ask the right questions. Their firm will likely send you information at various points throughout the year on your investments. For more information on the advisor-client relationship, see Work with an advisor.
There are also many on-line services available to record your portfolio and track its performance.