how do i evaluate how my portfolio is doing 
evaluating the performance of your portfolio involves comparing its returns against benchmarks typically indexes that offer a mix like you re aiming for in your portfolio and considering your investment goals data to review include total return your risk adjusted return and the performance of individual assets relative to their respective indexes it s also important to review the consistency of your returns over time and whether your portfolio is making progress toward your objectives the bottom lineanyone who wants to grow their money has choices to make you can be your own investment portfolio manager or you can hire a professional to do it for you you can choose a passive management strategy by putting your money in index funds you can also try to beat the markets by actively managing your portfolio you ll want to pay attention to the basics of portfolio management pick a mix of assets to lower your overall risk diversify your holdings to maximize your potential returns and rebalance your portfolio regularly to keep the mix right 